Latest Details: Frank Martin to Miami rumors get interesting boost

The Frank Martin to Miami rumor mill continues to swirl. This time NBA players are getting in on the talk. Heat forward Udonis Haslem is hoping Kansas State coach Frank Martin has a shot at the helm of the Miami Hurricanes’ basketball program.

The tie in isn’t completely disconnected. Haslem played for Martin at Miami High.

He told The Assocaited Press Friday, “if you don’t at least interview Coach Frank for that job, you’re making a big mistake.”

That’s one heck of an endorsement.

Frank MArtin // Photo: collegehoopsjournal.com

And as Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star wrote:

Frank loves Miami, that’s home to him, and he would at least like to listen, but he probably has a better situation at K-State because the fans there support him and love him and at Miami they don’t care much about basketball.

Martin finished this past season and pushed his record at Kansas State to 95-43 in four seasons. The Miami native and Cuban immigrant will be in South Florida this weekend to be enshrined in the Miami High Hall of Fame.

As stated by multiple reporters and analysts: Let the rumors fly. It’s almost guaranteed that multiple “sources” will be reporting multiple things this weekend.

Just a week ago, CBSsports reported:

Miami native, though happy in Manhattan, wouldn’t pass on the opportunity to return to his hometown if Miami wanted him and committed to being a program that can realistically expect to compete in the top half of the ACC — meaning Miami would have to pay Martin and his assistants competitive salaries and increase its basketball budget.

An interesting take, because Mellinger looked into it:

According to the most recent Equity in Athletics data, Kansas State basketball spends $5.1 million and brings in $7.3 million. Miami spends $4.7 million and brings in $7.1 million.

Miami just hired a new Athletic Director, Shawn Eichorst, and he told reporters that anyone with interest in the position will be considered. Add to that, Martin telling The Associated Press that he “loves it” at Kansas State but may listen to offers.