Scott Martin 'Prepares To Win'

All coaches know the bottom line is winning. And while Long Beach High School varsity football coach Scott Martin understands this sports axiom, he also sees the bigger picture when it comes to developing young players.

Now in his second year at the helm of the Marines' football program, Martin, who teaches physical education in East Meadow School District, brings a long history of excellence and caring to the Long Beach gridiron. He was a varsity letter man at Clarke High School, where he graduated in 1998. He played four years of Division II ball at C.W. Post, after which he worked as an assistant coach at both his high school alma mater and at Herricks High School. LBHS Athletic Director Arnie Epstein then tapped Martin to head the Marines squad.

"Scott had very strong references, and a strong football background, both as a player and a coach," Epstein said. "He also understands that the "student" in student-athlete is most important. He's doing a phenomenal job with the kids."

During a recent intense pre-season workout in the summer heat, Martin was exuberant, active and involved. On often got right into the thick of the action to demonstrate to his defense how he wanted them to handle their assignments. Martin is loud but he's not a screamer. He said he would rather spend his energy teaching the details and preparing to win, than demeaning his players with intimidation.

After a lackluster 3-5 debut season, Martin is dedicated to repetition and communication, two qualities that he demands from every player, on every play. These qualities were instilled in him as a linebacker at C.W. Post. Although he was a defender throughout his playing career, Martin is confident in his ability to teach and get results on both sides of the ball.

"I'm pretty confident I can do it all and see it all," Martin said. "Truth is, as a defensive player, we're constantly studying offensive film to learn tendencies and prepare for games. That experience really rounded me out, so coaching the offense is not a problem."

Martin's defensive philosophy is to keep the schemes simple in order to stay aggressive. His offensive approach is for his players to take what their given.

"If an opponent is going to stack the box, then we're going to run a spread offense," he explained. "By the same token, if we're matched up against a team we think we can dominate in the box, then we're going to try and run over them."

Martin's upbeat approach and focus on individual and team quality has at least some players excited and ready to give 100 percent for him and the team's winning cause.

"Coach Martin is great," said Sam Peerless, a senior wide receiver. "We all love playing for him. This is my last year, so I want to do big things for him."

It's still August and Coach Martin is far more focused on teaching fundamentals and creating team unity than talking about his team's chances this year. He talked about some of the circumstances he's facing and a glimpse at his hopes and expectations for the 2010 campaign.

"We're having some early attendance issues, some of our players have to work," he said. "I always tell the kids they have to do what they have to do to help their families. If things fall right, we could be a 6-2 or even a 7-1 team. But with Jericho not fielding a team this year, we get an automatic win there, so 4-4 could also land us in playoffs."

For Martin, however, a team's success always comes back to each player's athletic and personal development first.

"These are very good kids, very focused," he said. "Bringing in quality kids and making them even better as football players and people, that's what's important."