FSU honoring Mike Martin too quick with Hall of Fame announcement

Mike Martin will be inducted into the school’s athletics Hall of Fame less than three months after his retirement from a legendary and title less career.

It was just over a week and a half ago that the legendary coaching career of longtime FSU baseball leader Mike Martin came to an end after 40 seasons that can be described as something no other college coach can even touch – we’re talking 2,029 wins and a trip to play in the championship tournament nearly half his seasons in charge.

Now, we’re going to take one moment to remind fans in garnet and gold that Martin never actually won any of his 17 trips to the College World Series while coaching the Seminoles. It’s something that has stuck with him for his legendary career and will stick with the program until they win that first title.

Less than three months after watching his magical career come to an end leading the FSU baseball team, No. 11 will get the biggest honor that anyone associated with the Seminoles can get when he is inducted into the school’s athletics Hall of Fame the day before the football team’s home opener against Louisana Monroe.

Florida State Seminoles

Okay, I’m going to slightly put the no titles thing on the back burner for a moment (I grew up a fan of the Miami Dolphins and Dan Marino, so I’m used to legends without rings by now) and just make an important point for anyone regarding this issue.

Martin is still employed by the school until Sunday and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame just over two months later…while Bobby Bowden, the legendary FSU football coach who brought home two national titles in 34 seasons leading the Seminoles, had to wait NEARLY THREE CALENDAR YEARS!

That’s right. Bowden’s final game as head coach came with the Seminoles in a  victory over West Virginia in the Gator Bowl that was played on New Years Day of 2010 – and he would not be inducted into the Hall of Fame for the school until the start of the 2012 football season.

Now, am I saying that Martin should not be honored as one of the best to ever wear garnet and gold in any sport for the Seminoles? Of course not. Should it be less than a quarter of a year after his final game? Nope.

Martin got his final 40th season with the FSU baseball team thanks in part to the backlash for the way that Bowden didn’t get a chance to coach a 35th and final season – and for a decent part of the regular season, ahead of a magical first two rounds of the postseason, it looked like a mistake to bring No. 11 back.

Mike Martin should be honored as one of the best to ever be associated with the Seminoles’ athletics programs – but it needs to be years before it takes place if that’s what we’re going to do to the best football coach in FSU history.