Coach Martin Hangs Up Whistle
Not everyone can achieve the unofficial lofty ‘Legend’ title at St. Mark’s. After 34 years of coaching soccer, 28 as the varsity head coach, Corindo ‘Cory’ Martin has decided to retire from coaching and focus more on teaching math at the School and other pursuits. His coaching legacy garners praise and admiration, as well as the well-earned title of ‘Legend’ from decades of the Marksmen he helped shape, on and off the field.
“The biggest thing I took away from Coach Martin is to dedicate yourself to something you care for,” said Nick Bailey ’07, who played collegiately at Rhodes College. “Coach cares deeply for both his students and players, and the time he committed to both through the season for decades is difficult to comprehend. And yet, I never had reason to question his focus on the team, on every practice and for each game.”
Charlie Neil ’08 went on to play soccer at Yale and holds Martin in high esteem.
“Without a doubt I became a better soccer player and a better person because of my time playing under Coach Martin,” Neil said. “He has an innate ability to know the right thing to say at the right time. He is an expert at cultivating strong personal relationships that ultimately led to an adept understanding of how to motivate each and every player no matter their talent level or position. He was and still is a mentor, an amazing teacher and lifelong friend and I will always be proud to say I got to play at St. Mark’s during the era I did because it meant I got to play under Coach Martin.”
The appreciation for Martin extends beyond his players.
“One of my favorite memories of working with Cory is when his team went on to win an SPC title in 2020,” said Sean Lissemore, director of Athletics. “On the heels of the tornado, it was inspiring to watch that team overcome significant adversity and upset two top-seeded teams en route to winning the championship. I’ll never forget how the boys responded to his steady yet fiery leadership with a performance that embodied our community’s character, grit and resilience.”
Martin has plans for his post-coaching career.
“I’ve never not coached,” Martin recently told The ReMarker student newspaper. “It is a huge time commitment. I can focus a little bit more on my classes. I have some goals that involve things like the AP curriculum, and just revamping some of our math curriculum. And I can focus more attention on those kinds of things and then look for other opportunities outside of school or do other things that I need to do – like spending more time with my family.”
Martin’s teams earned three SPC championships, including 14 SPC tournament finishes in fourth place or higher. However, the accolades pale in comparison to his impact on his Marksmen.
“Whether he knows it or not, Coach Martin is a legend to so many boys who played for him,” Bailey said. “He is the perfect person to lead a group of largely unruly boys and the best soccer coach I ever had.”
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“The biggest thing I took away from Coach Martin is to dedicate yourself to something you care for,” said Nick Bailey ’07, who played collegiately at Rhodes College. “Coach cares deeply for both his students and players, and the time he committed to both through the season for decades is difficult to comprehend. And yet, I never had reason to question his focus on the team, on every practice and for each game.”
Charlie Neil ’08 went on to play soccer at Yale and holds Martin in high esteem.
“Without a doubt I became a better soccer player and a better person because of my time playing under Coach Martin,” Neil said. “He has an innate ability to know the right thing to say at the right time. He is an expert at cultivating strong personal relationships that ultimately led to an adept understanding of how to motivate each and every player no matter their talent level or position. He was and still is a mentor, an amazing teacher and lifelong friend and I will always be proud to say I got to play at St. Mark’s during the era I did because it meant I got to play under Coach Martin.”
The appreciation for Martin extends beyond his players.
“One of my favorite memories of working with Cory is when his team went on to win an SPC title in 2020,” said Sean Lissemore, director of Athletics. “On the heels of the tornado, it was inspiring to watch that team overcome significant adversity and upset two top-seeded teams en route to winning the championship. I’ll never forget how the boys responded to his steady yet fiery leadership with a performance that embodied our community’s character, grit and resilience.”
Martin has plans for his post-coaching career.
“I’ve never not coached,” Martin recently told The ReMarker student newspaper. “It is a huge time commitment. I can focus a little bit more on my classes. I have some goals that involve things like the AP curriculum, and just revamping some of our math curriculum. And I can focus more attention on those kinds of things and then look for other opportunities outside of school or do other things that I need to do – like spending more time with my family.”
Martin’s teams earned three SPC championships, including 14 SPC tournament finishes in fourth place or higher. However, the accolades pale in comparison to his impact on his Marksmen.
“Whether he knows it or not, Coach Martin is a legend to so many boys who played for him,” Bailey said. “He is the perfect person to lead a group of largely unruly boys and the best soccer coach I ever had.”
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Coach Martin holds the 2020 SPC Championship Trophy.
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Martin with the 2024 varsity soccer team.
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Martin with the 1997 varsity soccer team.
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St. Mark’s School of Texas
10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
About Us
St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
