[1] Clay was born in Pensacola, Florida where his father, an officer in the United States Marine Corps, was stationed as a flight instructor after his return from Vietnam.

Martin graduated from Nathan Hale High School where he was an All-State Football and Basketball player.

[1] He was previously the head boys' basketball coach at Jenks for 17 seasons, leading the Trojans to a 299-136 record with 9 State Tournament appearances.

He also attended Oklahoma Baptist University where he played basketball for the Bison.

[4] He was discharged within a week,[4] and returned to officiate a divisional playoff game on January 17, 2021.