Updated 9/17/09

One of the most successful coaches in University of Delaware athletics history, Tina Martin, 43, begins her 14th season at the helm of the Blue Hen women's basketball team in 2009-10.

A native of Williamsport, PA, Martin was hired May 14, 1996, replacing Joyce Perry who served for 18 years. Martin recently signed a contract extension through the 2011-2012 season.

In 13 seasons, Martin has transformed the Blue Hens into one of the true powers, first in the America East conference, and currently in the Colonial Athletic Association, which Delaware joined beginning with the 2001-02 season.

In those 13 seasons, she has led the teams to a combined record of 237-149 (.613) overall and 146-83 (.638) in regular season league play with the Hens posting nine straight winning seasons through the 2006-07 season. The Hens have posted 20-win seasons in seven of the last 10 seasons and made post-season appearances in six of the last nine years, including two in the NCAA and four in the Women's National Invitation Tournament.

The Hens won at least 19 games eight times in the last 10 seasons and have placed fourth or better in league play all but twice. Delaware advanced to the league championship semifinals or better eight times in the last 10 years, including an appearance in the CAA Championship game twice.

After a 6-21 campaign in 1997-98, Martin led the Blue Hens to a 16-11 record in 1998-99 and a 21-8 mark and a trip to the America East semifinals in 1999-2000. The team's 21-8 mark in 1999-00 was the best season for a Blue Hen team since 1989-90.

But it all came together during the 2000-01 season for the Blue Hens. Martin leaded an experienced Delaware squad to the finest season in school history. Delaware put together a record of 26-5, setting school records for wins in a season and consecutive victories (17) and cruising to the America East regular season title with a 17-1 record. The Hens moved through the America East Tournament, defeating Boston University and Harford in the first two rounds and rallying to down host Vermont in the championship game.

That victory gave Delaware its first ever America East title and the team's first conference championship since 1991 and its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance. The Blue Hens advanced to the NCAA East Regionals at North Carolina State and hung tough with the 19th ranked Wolfpack before falling 76-57. The Hens also received their first ever votes in the USA Today Top 25 poll during the season.

Among the other milestones during the season included Martin winning the America East Coach of the Year award for the first time and senior guard Cindy Johnson earning All-America East honors for the third straight year. Martin was instrumental in the development of Johnson, a 5-8 guard who became Delaware's all-time leading scorer and was the first UD player to be invited to the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft Camp in 2002.

Delaware made it two straight post-season appearances in 2001-02. As first year members of the Colonial Athletic Association, Martin helped guide the Blue Hens to a 23-7 record, the second highest season win total in school history. She was runner-up for league Coach of the Year honors. Delaware placed second in the CAA regular season standings behind nationally-ranked Old Dominion with a 15-3 mark and advanced to the CAA Tournament semifinals. Delaware earned its first ever Women's National Invitational Tournament berth before falling to Atlantic 10 regular season champion George Washington in the opening round, 78-71.

The remarkable string continued in 2002-03 as Martin led an unheralded team to a 22-9 record and a 15-3 league mark, tying Old Dominion for the regular season title. It marked the first time since 1992-93 that the Lady Monarchs did not win the league regular season title outright. The Hens moved through the CAA Tournament before falling to host Old Dominion 66-58 in the championship game. Still, the Hens qualified for the WNIT Tournament for the second straight year, falling to host Saint Joseph's 65-47 in the opening round. Once again, Martin finished as runner-up for CAA Coach of the Year honors. The squad was led by CAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year Allison Trapp, who also earned a WNBA tryout following the season.

The 2003-04 team did not reach the 20-win mark, but did enjoy a successful season, going 19-10, placing fourth in the CAA in regular season with a record of 10-8, and advanced to the CAA semifinals before falling to eventual champion Old Dominion in the semifinals.

The 2004-05 team produced one of the finest seasons in school history as Martin led the squad to a 25-6 mark and a 16-2 league mark. The Blue Hens claimed the CAA regular season title and tied the school record for consecutive wins in a season with 17. The Blue Hens ended Old Dominion's 122-game home CAA win streak with their victory in Norfolk in January and then became the first CAA team since the 1992-93 Richmond Spiders to sweep Old Dominion in the regular season before a school record crowd at home. The squad received votes in the USA Today Top 25 Poll over the second half of the season.

The Hens moved through the CAA Tournament before falling to Old Dominion in the CAA Championship game in overtime, 78-74. The Hens did make it back to the post-season though as Delaware hosted St. John's in the first round of the WNIT Tournament. Delaware making its third WNIT appearance in the last four years fell to the Red Storm by a score of 48-42. Martin was selected as the CAA Co-Coach of the Year honors, sharing the title with Drexel's Denise Dillion. The squad was led by CAA Player of the Year, Tiara Malcom, third-team All-CAA selection, Tiffany Young, and All-CAA defensive team selection Tyresa Smith.

The winning ways continued in 2005-06 as the Blue Hens posted a record of 22-8, placed third in the CAA regular season standings, and advanced to the CAA Tournament semifinals before falling to James Madison in the final seconds. Delaware still earned its third post-season berth in four seasons, advancing to the Women's NIT for the third time before falling to Pittsburgh by a score of 64-57 in the opening round. Smith earned first team All-CAA honors and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year.

During the 2006-07 season, Delaware tied the school record with 26 wins and tied the school record for conference wins with 16. The Blue Hens also received votes in the Associated Press Top 25 media poll for the first time in school history. The Hens fell in the CAA semifinals to James Madison but garnered the school's first ever at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.

The Hens fell to Michigan State on the Spartans home floor 69-58. Smith, who led the team in scoring and was 17th in the nation with 19.8 points per game, was named first team All-CAA and the league's Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year. Smith became the first Delaware player to be drafted into the WNBA when the Phoenix Mercury selected her with the 18th overall pick. With the Delaware win over Hofstra on January 4, Martin became the quickest basketball coach at Delaware, men's or women's, to reach the 200 victory plateau.

Martin, who inherited a team that had suffered three straight losing season, led her first Blue Hen hoop team to a 9-19 record in 1996-97. In 1997-98, injuries and youth played a key part in Delaware's 6-21 overall record. The Blue Hens went 3-15 in America East play to place 10th overall and lost to the No. 7 seeded Drexel 68-66 in the first round of the America East Tournament.

As an assistant coach, Martin played a big part in rebuilding a Seton Hall University program that went from three straight losing seasons to one that made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 1994 and 1995 under head coach Phyllis Mangina. The 1993-94 team went 27-5 and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, the best season in Seton Hall history.

"Over nine years Tina helped us build one of the best programs in the country," said Mangina of Martin's hiring. "But more importantly, she helped us build a well-rounded program, one in which student-athletes are expected to perform both academically and athletically. Tina helped us set very high standards here at Seton Hall. She is one of the best recruiters in the country. She not only has the ability to recognize talent but to develop that talent. Tina's work ethic and knowledge of the game is outstanding."

A native of Williamsport, Pa., Martin was a two-time NCAA Division II All-American at Lock Haven (Pa.) University and was a four time Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference All-Star and two time league Player of the Year. She finished as the PSAC's all-time leading scorer with 2,157 points and had her number (33) retired at Lock Haven.

Martin began her coaching career at Lock Haven in 1986-87 when she served as graduate assistant, and the next season moved on to Seton Hall. At Seton Hall, Martin assisted Mangina in building the Pirate program into a Big East powerhouse. After three straight losing seasons, including a 5-23 mark in 1985-86, the Hall made a steady improvement, and in 1993-94, posted a school-record 27-5 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.

The team finished the season with its first ever national ranking, placing 14th overall. The following season in 1995-96, Martin helped lead the team to a record of 24-9 and yet another NCAA Tournament appearance, advancing to the second round.

Martin is single and resides in Newark.