Robert L. “Bob” Martin†
Inducted: 1992
Hometown: San Antonio
High School: Brackenridge High School
Best Known for: Coaching – Football
d. January 15, 1982
An early Valley coaching pioneer, Martin led the famous Mission High School Eagles of 1941 to an undefeated season, with star player Tom Landry. Later, Martin guided Brownsville High School to two of its best years ever before becoming that school's athletic director.
Martin grew up in San Antonio where he played ball for Brackenridge High, then went to Southwest Teachers College (now Texas State University) and received Little All-America mention at center. He took over at Mission in 1938 at age 22 and became a Valley legend.
The 1941 Mission Eagles allowed just one touchdown all year and won the regional title.
During a 10-year stint at Brownsville starting in 1944, he led the Eagles to great seasons in 1945 and 1951.
Martin was one of the earliest coaches to adopt the T-formation in South Texas and was an innovator and a hard taskmaster who was nonetheless much beloved by his players.
Martin amassed an overall record of 128-16-4 during his years of high-school coaching, in Mission in 1941-1942, Eagle Pass from 1942-1944 and in Brownsville from 1944-1954.
He was named athletic director in Brownsville in 1954, then became a school district supervisor, a junior high school assistant principal and finally an elementary school principal, until his retirement in June of last year.
R.L. Martin Elementary in Brownsville, located on Old Alice Road and Stanford Avenue, was named in his honor in 1975.
