Carthage ISD announced that Carthage High School Head Girls Basketball Coach Kit Kyle Martin has been named the Texas girls recipient of the 2025-2026 John R. Wooden Legacy Award, an honor presented in partnership with the Wooden family and the National High School Basketball Coaches Association.
The John R. Wooden Legacy Award recognizes scholastic basketball coaches who exemplify excellence on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. Criteria for the award are rooted in education, longevity, character, service and excellence. This prestigious award will be presented to Coach Martin on Friday, March 6 at the UIL Girls Basketball State Tournament in San Antonio.
Martin is in her 30th year of coaching and education and has compiled a varsity record of 783–218. Her teams have reached the playoffs 25 times, earned 19 district championships, advanced to 12 regional tournaments, captured five regional championships, and made five UIL state tournament appearances, including three finals appearances. She just completed her first season at Carthage High School.
“Coach Martin’s impact is measured in far more than wins,” said Carthage ISD Superintendent Jarrod Bitter. “She sets a standard for excellence and has high expectations for everyone in her program, and she develops young women with confidence and leadership skills that will last long after their playing days are over. We’re proud to have her back home in Carthage ISD, and this honor is very well-deserved.”
Martin has coached more than 50 student-athletes who went on to compete in Division I college basketball programs. Her career honors include WBCA Pat Summitt National High School Coach of the Year, Texas High School 5A/6A Coach of the Year, and multiple regional and statewide coach of the year recognitions. She has also been named District Coach of the Year 18 times.
Beyond the court, Martin has served the profession through leadership roles with the Texas Girls Coaches Association Board of Directors and the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Board of Directors. She was inducted into the Carthage High School Athletics Hall of Honor in 2021 and the Carthage ISD Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2023.
Throughout her career, Martin and her teams have participated in community service efforts such as supporting local back-to-school events, organizing food drives, and volunteering for causes benefitting children and families.
Coach Martin has long embraced John Wooden’s belief that “Success is peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable,” a philosophy that continues to shape how she leads student-athletes and builds confidence, character, and leadership through the game of basketball.