BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Former Gardner-Webb quarterback Jeremy Martin, the Big South Conference's first Offensive Player of the Year in 2002, has joined the Runnin' Bulldog coaching staff as a graduate assistant.

Martin (Middletown, R.I. / Middletown HS) will work primarily with the team's tight ends, but will also assist in mentoring the Bulldogs' quarterbacks this season. Martin replaces Kris King, who recently accepted a coaching position at UAB.

"We are very pleased to add another former player to our coaching staff," said GWU head coach Steve Patton. "Jeremy had an outstanding career here for us at quarterback, and is extremely familiar and comfortable with our offensive system. He was a very hard worker during his playing career, and was a strong leader. That will translate very well for his ability to coach and instruct our players."

Martin started under center for the Runnin' Bulldogs 31 times during his career, posting 22 wins (70.9 pct) - the top winning percentage of any quarterback in Gardner-Webb's senior college history, and the second most wins.

Statistically, Martin completed 633-of-1,175 career attempts for 8,025 yards and 60 touchdowns, ranking second in GWU history in those categories. His pass efficiency rating of 121.97 is the highest in school history for quarterbacks with at least 1,000 career attempts.

The former Gatorade Rhode Island High School Player of the Year enjoyed his best season as a senior in 2002, leading the Runnin' Bulldogs to a 9-1 record, the 2002 Big South Conference title and final Division I-AA national rankings in the USAToday and Sports Network regular season polls.

Martin passed for 2,166 yards, 17 touchdowns and just four interceptions that season, completing 59.2 percent (193-of-326) of his passes en route to 2002 Big South Conference Offensive Player accolades. He was an honorable mention Division I-AA All-America choice in 2000 after passing for 2,551 yards and 18 touchdowns in the team's inaugural Division I season (7-4 record).

Martin was electric in Gardner-Webb's Nov. 11, 2000 win at No. 23 New Hampshire, passing for a career-high 403 yards in the 38-35 upset win. He earned National I-AA Player of the Week honors from the Football Gazette for that performance. He passed for 351 yards and a career-best five touchdowns in the final game of his collegiate career, a 44-13 route of Savannah State in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium.

Gardner-Webb kicks off the 2009 season on Saturday, September 5, at home vs. Mars Hill (6:00 pm ET kickoff).


2009 GARDNER-WEBB COACHING STAFF (Listed in order of total years on staff)
Steve Patton, Head Coach (13th season)
Joe Pizzo, Offensive Coordinator (13th season)
Travis Cunningham, Linebackers (9th season) *
Chris Foster, Running Backs (6th season) *
Ian Cooper, Receivers (6th season)
John Windham, Defensive Coordinator (3rd season)
Mike Doolittle, Offensive Line (3rd season)
Bryant Foster, Cornerbacks (3rd season) *
Rusty Wright, Defensive Line (1st season)
Jeremy Martin, Graduate Assistant (1st season) *
Cody Honeycutt, Graduate Assistant (1st season) *

* Denotes Gardner-Webb graduate