Ben Martin (American football)

Benjamin S. Martin (June 27, 1921 – July 24, 2004) was an American football player and coach. He was the head coach at the University of Virginia from 1956 to 1957 and at the United States Air Force Academy from 1958 to 1977, compiling a career college football record of 102–116–10 (.469).

Ben Martin
Biographical details
Born(1921-06-28)June 28, 1921
Prospect Park, Pennsylvania
DiedJuly 24, 2004(2004-07-24) (aged 83)
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Alma materThe Hill School
Playing career
1941Princeton
1942–1944Navy
Position(s)Halfback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1949–1954Navy (assistant)
1956–1957Virginia
1958–1977Air Force
Head coaching record
Overall102–116–10 (.469)
Bowls0–2–1
Ben Martin
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1945–1949
Rank Lieutenant (junior grade)
UnitUSS Helena
Battles/warsWorld War II, Cold War

A native of Prospect Park, Pennsylvania, Martin played college football at Princeton University in 1941 and then moved to the United States Naval Academy; he was a member of the class of 1946, which graduated early in 1945 due to World War II. After sea duty on the USS Helena, Martin was an assistant coach at Navy from 1949 to 1954; that last team was 8–2, among the best in program history, and won the Sugar Bowl. His first team at Air Force in 1958 was undefeated (with two ties), played in the Cotton Bowl, and finished in the top ten in both polls.[1][2][3]

Martin died at age 83 in 2004 in Colorado Springs, Colorado,[1][2][3] and was buried in Maryland at the Naval Academy Cemetery. He was inducted into the Air Force Falcons Hall of Fame in 2009.[4]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Virginia Cavaliers (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1956–1957)
1956 Virginia 3–71–48th
1957 Virginia 3–6–12–46th
Virginia: 6–13–13–8
Air Force Falcons (Independent) (1958–1977)
1958 Air Force 9–0–2T Cotton86
1959 Air Force 5–4–1
1960 Air Force 4–6
1961 Air Force 3–7
1962 Air Force 5–5
1963 Air Force 7–4L Gator
1964 Air Force 4–5–1
1965 Air Force 3–6–1
1966 Air Force 4–6
1967 Air Force 2–6–2
1968 Air Force 7–3
1969 Air Force 6–4
1970 Air Force 9–3L Sugar1116
1971 Air Force 6–4
1972 Air Force 6–4
1973 Air Force 6–4
1974 Air Force 2–9
1975 Air Force 2–8–1
1976 Air Force 4–7
1977 Air Force 2–8–1
Air Force: 96–103–9
Total:102–116–10

References
  1. "Ben Martin, 83, Coach Of Air Force Football Team". The New York Times. August 1, 2004. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  2. "Legendary football coach Ben Martin passes away". U.S. Air Force Academy Athletics. July 24, 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  3. "Navy football great Ben Martin passes away". U.S. Naval Academy Athletics. July 26, 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  4. "Hall of Fame". U.S. Air Force Academy Athletics. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
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