On this night, the No. 4 Baylor Bears are in Bramlage Coliseum – the “Octagon of Doom” as some still refer to it, though the moniker now seems to be a broadcaster’s fall-back descriptor more than the warning sign of a few years ago . Kansas State, coming off an impressive win against the Missouri Tigers, is on the verge of history should it win this game. A victory would be a Bramlage-record 15 straight, and it would mean back-to-back wins over Top 10 opponents for the first time in school history. In the short-term, KSU would move to 2-1 in the Big 12 standings and, while early, entrench itself in conversation as a front-runner regionally. It would likely dip its foot in the serious end of the national pool also.
That is what faces K-State this night on the floor. Off it, there is a different sort of challenge as well, a persistent one, that sits, literally, only a few feet away.
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Creeping and subtle, the underbelly to Manhattan’s wakened basketball beast is discernible disconnect. More directly, the relationship grew and blossomed in the first seasons between a hungry fan base and its coach who was as unabashed in his approach then as he is now. Now, however, despite 107 wins and four-plus years into Frank Martin’s tenure, that growth has stunted. It has nothing to do with wins and losses; Martin averaged nearly 24 wins in his first four years, and this year’s team is 12-3. It isn’t recruiting or staff loss; despite consistent turnover spread throughout his tenure, some analysts believe this might be Martin’s most complete roster top-to-bottom, and only one coach (Dalonte Hill) has left since Martin took over. The hangup, of course – despite Martin’s on-going, honest, transparent self-evaluation – is what people see when the lights come on.
For a long time, fans looked past it, pausing only when necessary to discuss a particularly intense display – Chris Merriewether will always come to mind – before shrugging it off as the coach just being the coach. But, if that’s all it was, each time, then why haven’t folks grown used to it? Why does the topic cycle, recycle and then cycle some more even in K-State circles? Why? Because what Martin does hits on a much deeper level than fans realized it affected them. What many K-Staters see and hear sears through the core message of their now decades-old religion. There is nothing “family” about the display, not as they’ve come to understand the preached word. And, forget the New Testament Book of Vanier message about calming waters. These rivers and lakes boil, and do it regularly.
That said, Frank Martin is not the anti-Powercat. He’s not even wrong. In fact, most of what he does embodies the K-State way. Rather, the point is that his style is so diametrically opposed to the institution, and so radical in its delivery, that it may be asking too much for a congregation set in its ways to not just support, which it largely does, but embrace fully the program…and the coach who leads it. Making room for new methodology in a religion, especially when both kinds appear to work, takes a long time. Sometimes, it never happens.
And, sometimes, even in a nationally prominent Baylor/K-State game’s biggest moments, the loudest cheer of this night, by far, goes to the football coach seated in the crowd just as it always does. It is a vocal reminder of where this fan base’s deepest allegiances root. It is also a reminder that regardless of how much headway Martin has made into purple waters, his journey is still in its infancy.**
**The football team’s 10-3 success in 2011 may provide some sort of symbiotic benefit to the basketball program, but not as much as the .500 seasons Ron Prince provided as a springboard in Martin’s first years. There’s nothing better than being a new coach who finds some early success and does so in front of a fan base’s wandering eye among its school’s athletics. Landing those folks comes easier than it does for the star player walking into a party around midnight. These days, though, fans are having to choose a little more because of budgets on time and money. And, when it comes down to it, paying homage to Snyder’s program is going to win every time.
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He will play just 12 minutes tonight against Baylor, but even in that short of time, freshman Angel Rodriguez manages to find himself in the middle of many of the game’s biggest plays. He hits a couple of threes. His lone steal leads to a Will Spradling three as well. But, he also has four turnovers and throws the lob pass from out of bounds that gets batted away in the final seconds. K-State loses 75-73, and the energy that finally began hitting fever pitch in the second half is punched away in seconds. The crowd of 12,528 is gone within seconds. And, within seconds, I can hear my footsteps as I walk across the court toward postgame.
The thing is, fans were instructed to do this. K-State’s message from the beginning of this season was that Frank Martin was the reason to pay for a ticket. If media guides mean anything (and since they are used these days as marketing and recruiting guides, one should surmise they have legit pull), Frank Martin is K-State basketball. Frank Martin is a brand. It’s just, and here it comes again, the brand isn’t for everyone. So, while folks figure out how close they want to stand, or sit, or get to Martin, they lean back while they assess. They are not emotionally invested. They aren’t angry, sad, happy, reserved or even apathetic. They’re simply watching.
It’s a muted respect for the product on the floor, and the “Doom” factor is missing. There is no true “angried up” stemming from a Denis Clemente rather-die-than-be-disrespected-on-his-home-court mindset. This team even quit doing its routine pregame dances in the tunnel (prior to the Missouri game last Saturday) as it tries to figure out its own identity…even if the coach’s is well-established. (And, it is. Click here for a Google search of “Frank Martin yells.”)
While Manhattan struggles with its ethical compass, Martin’s national exposure keeps increasing, although even what that means isn’t exactly clear. What is it that makes outside folks’ appetite for Frank Martin seemingly insatiable when, at the same time, a sizable portion of K-State seems to be easing back from the table? Is it for want of Martin’s knowledge, charm, wit or charisma, which he shows with regularity on the national scene? Perhaps, since Martin has shown he is quite affable when he wants to be. Or, is the desire for more from the general masses a spawn of continued safe, through-the-TV curiosity, like watching a bear through two rails and thick glass at the zoo? “If the show gets too scary, Johnny, you can always hit the off-switch…” “That’s not scary, Mom! That’s kinda funny!”
Those who are quick to an answer normally state it is the latter, that Martin is easier to digest in small doses, which makes him prime as a source of 30-second highlight and soundbite-driven entertainment. He’s proven adept at balancing, explaining and illustrating the difference between his on-court and off-court demeanor. That ability has won him a lot of fans, some of whom had to cross their own drawn line to get there, but get there they did.
Is it possible, though, that some K-State fans begin to take the same distanced approach? A few responses on my site and in emails suggest some have decided to take that route – staying home to watch the game instead of attending because of Martin. Granted, that’s a very limited few, and it’s not likely large sections of Bramlage will go unfilled. But, for those who do continue to attend, while they sit in their seats and continue to watch, will they eventually decide to fully embrace what they see despite actions that make them uncomfortable? Is that even possible?
That’s hard to say, but chances are good we’ll have every chance to revisit this on the next recycle.
Must have been a slow news day. I don’t agree.
Not even close Curtis. Try again.
Curtis, it seems to me you’re searching for a problem. I don’t know anyone who goes to K-State games to watch Martin and not the game itself.
Where on earth did this come from. The fans our there and loud, and the students are not even back yet. We love Frank and also Snyder and every other coach at K-State. EMAW
Well done.
Completely off, as usual. Can we get a new beat writer?
What? Wow.. did you have a deadline and you couldn’t come up with something today?
Completely off base. Where do you get your opinions? We love Frank Martin and our team. Try actually writing something accurate.
I know you write things like this for page-views and to garner replies and to get a reaction but please let up a little on the gas peddle of criticism. Being critical of a home-game crowd when school isn’t in session and on Tuesday night is a bit below-the-belt. I know thousands of KSU fans and I’ve never heard anything but glowing remarks about and an all encompassing love for all things Frank. By writing suck a misguided, off-hand article, you’ve lost credibility with me. I’m not saying I’ll stop reading your articles but I am saying I will no longer suggest them to others for their reading pleasure.
Looks to me like you are searching. Fans always like to second guess coaches–we have done it with football all year. Second guessing happens even more when you lose. Just because you don’t always agree with someone doesn’t mean you haven’t “embraced” them.
This fascination with Frank Martin’s style is almost completely in the media. I’m not aware of any fans that really care, and they certainly aren’t watching the bench instead of the game or refusing to go to the games because of him.
I actually do think he goes overboard every now and then – such as the postgame interview after the Baylor game. But that doesn’t mean i don’t support his program or that i’m about to stop watching the games.
I agree . I won’t take my family to a game due to the unnecessary language. Being competitive is one thing, being crude, offensive and a bully is another.
There are like 4 KSU fans who dislike Martin and they all live in Lawrence. KSU loves Martin. Take a lap Kitchen.
@kyle +1
There is some validity to this story, albeit not so philosophical. Frank Martin’s style is tolerated because he is winning. The same as Mangino was tolerated when he was winning. If the winning stops, then fans become less tolerant. I love what Frank Martin has done, but there is a part of me that frowns at some of the “abusive father” treatment towards the players. Is that necessary to get players to understand? I do appreciate that he doesn’t try to use smoke and mirrors to mask the reality. I just would like for him to adjust fire for the kids sake, not for mine.
I’d say a huge majority of fans love martin just as much as i do and are thankful that he is here today…remember when he was in the mix for the miami job? people seemed pretty darned concerned about him leaving then.
This was a crap “article” if you can even call it that and I”m tired of your passive aggressiveness Curtis. You are obsessed and if you don’t like Frank be a man and say it. You people forget where you were before Frank. You owe him everything. You will see that after he’s gone years from now and you’re back to irrelevancy in MHK. He’s a wonderful coach and a wonderful person and most importantly his players love him. If you’re not there, you have NO idea the love they have for that dude. Frank is a real person and I appreciate that and will be at EVERY game to support him and the team. Also, I will say this. I truly believe there is something more to this story with all of you who constantly hate on Martin. What is it you really don’t like about Frank? Come on, just say it. Coaches yell, Coach K looks like he’s on fire many times on the sideline. Why is Frank called out constantly? It’s old and ridiculous. You idiots are worried about who is yelling when you live next door to Jerry Sandusky and Bernie Fine. Frank is a fine role model and I’m proud to have him lead this program.
I think Jeff has hit this on the head. Anyone who thinks that Curtis’ story is offbase is living in denial. When the losses start to stack up, the staring and yelling will really wear out quickly.
completely and absolutely disagree with this entire article. i want those minutes of my life back
Yeah Wagg. Good strategy…disagree with me and you’re in denial. Amazing how the losses haven’t stacked up quickly…ever. Huggens recruits are gone and Frank is still winning and will continue to do so. Frank’s system works. The idea that we would stop loving him if he started losing is completely stupid. Yes. Stupid.
It rings true for any coach at ANY school. Turner Gill was a nice guy…he got fired because he lost and the fans didn’t support him. Frank isn’t throwing chairs at anyone. Untuck your pants and enjoy the show.