By Kris McBride/EA
THATCHER – Eastern Arizona College has named Chris Martin as its new men’s basketball head coach, promoting the former assistant following the departure of Cameron Turner to the University of Alaska Anchorage.
“Chris brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm to our program, and he played a pivotal role in elevating our men’s team to national prominence,” said EA Athletic Director Paul Demuth. “His passion for our student-athletes and his deep connection to this institution make him a natural fit. We’re excited to welcome him back and see him lead the program forward.”
Martin joined the program in 2022 and played a key role in the Gila Monsters’ success before a brief stint on the coaching staff at Eastern Washington University. Over three seasons at Eastern Arizona, the program compiled a 76-20 record, including back-to-back Arizona Community College Athletic Conference and NJCAA Region I championships in 2024 and 2025 — the program’s first since the mid-1990s. The 2025 team finished 29-4 overall and 16-2 in conference play, ranking No. 16 nationally and finishing as the NJCAA West District runner-up.
During Martin’s tenure, the program excelled in recruiting, player development, and game strategy. The Monsters ranked third nationally in net efficiency in 2025 and recorded 28 NJCAA wins, the third-most in the nation.
Player development was a hallmark of Martin’s time at EA. In 2025, multiple players earned All-ACCAC and All-Region honors, including Armari Carraway and Raysean Seamster, both of whom received NJCAA All-America recognition.
The program also achieved strong academic success during Martin’s tenure. Eastern Arizona earned NJCAA Academic All-America first-team honors in 2025 with a 3.46 team GPA. The team posted a GPA above 3.30 for three consecutive years, with three players recording 4.0 GPAs in 2025. The program maintained a 100% sophomore graduation rate and 100% placement in full athletic scholarships during that span.
Before joining Eastern Arizona, Martin spent four years as an assistant coach at Corban University in Salem, Oregon. He helped lead the Warriors to a Cascade Collegiate Conference championship in 2020.
Martin began his collegiate playing career at Cal State Los Angeles before transferring to Corban, where he was part of the 2017 CCC Tournament championship team. He is a native of Los Angeles and a graduate of Price High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English communication and a Master of Business Administration from Corban.
Martin replaces Turner, who was recently named head coach at Alaska Anchorage after compiling a 95-32 record in four seasons at Eastern Arizona.
About Eastern Arizona College:
Since 1888, Eastern Arizona College has been the undisputed Smart Higher Education Destination, shaping student dreams into reality. With a faculty of qualified and caring instructors, EAC is committed to preparing students for high-demand careers and advanced studies at top universities.
Offering a diverse range of over 90 degrees and certificates and two bachelor’s degrees, EAC is home to the state’s premier nursing school, a fine arts program featuring Arizona’s only community college marching band, and an engineering program that equips students for success at top-tiered firms and universities.
Beyond academics, EAC is a vibrant community where students thrive, forging connections that last a lifetime. At EAC, students can live in on-campus housing, engage in over 30 clubs and organizations, participate in dynamic intramurals, and cheer for nationally ranked athletic and e-sports teams.
What sets EAC apart is its commitment to financial accessibility, allowing most students to graduate with $0 debt.
Choose EAC as your Smart Higher Education Destination. For more information, visit www.eac.edu or call (928) 428-8272.
