Mike Martin, the head basketball coach at Brown University, celebrated his 43rd birthday on July 4 and now enters his 13th season leading the Bears.
A New Chapter for Brown’s Steady Leader
A former Brown player and assistant, Martin has become the face of the program, building consistency and pride in Providence.
The 2019 Ivy League Coach of the Year is still chasing his first trip to the NCAA Tournament, but his legacy is already secure. In February 2023, Martin recorded his 134th career win, becoming the winningest coach in school history.
Building Toward the Breakthrough
Last season, Brown went 14-13, its second winning record in three years, and finished sixth in the Ivy League. The Bears battled through an inconsistent campaign but showed flashes of strong play down the stretch. Under Martin, the Bears have posted a 162-184 overall record and a 70-98 mark in Ivy League games.
The 2020–21 season was canceled due to COVID-19 safety concerns, halting the team’s momentum. Still, Brown has continued to push for postseason opportunities, going 1-1 in the CBI and 0-1 in the CIT during Martin’s tenure.
Early Tests on the 2025–26 Schedule
The Bears open their 2025–26 season at home on Friday, November 7, with a rematch against Siena, the same team that edged them in overtime last year. Two days later, Vermont visits the Pizzitola Sports Center for another early home test. Brown’s first road game comes on November 12 against Boston University.
The non-conference schedule features a December 9 matchup against crosstown rival Providence, followed by a 12-day break before traveling to Los Angeles to face USC on December 21.
Climbing the Ivy League Ladder
Coaches around the Ivy League picked Brown to finish sixth this season, just behind Dartmouth, Princeton, Cornell, Harvard, and league favorite Yale. Martin’s group has often thrived in the underdog role, and this year’s roster will again aim to surprise those above them in the standings.
With a decade of leadership behind him and a milestone win already secured, Mike Martin is looking for one more first, guiding Brown basketball to its first NCAA Tournament appearance under his watch.