Martin was the head football coach at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan from 2004 to 2009, compiling a record of 74–7.

His Grand Valley State Lakers won consecutive NCAA Division II Football Championships in 2005 and 2006 and were runners-up in 2009.

Born and raised in Park Forest, Illinois in an Irish Catholic family, Martin graduated from Rich East High School in 1986.

[1][2] Martin attended Millikin University, an NCAA Division III school, and played both football and basketball.

On December 3, 2013, it was announced that Martin would be leaving his position at Notre Dame to take over as the head coach at Miami University.