Hall of Fame football coach David Martin joins Jason Foundation suicide prevention group

Hall of Fame high school football coach David Martin has joined the Jason Foundation Inc., an organization for youth suicide and awareness prevention.

Martin, 67, retired from coaching at the end of this past season at Stewarts Creek. He is still teaching at the school and will start working with the Jason Foundation in June.

Martin spent 45 years coaching and was inducted into the Tennessee Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017. He posted a 231-129 career record.

“Obviously, suicide has become such a problem in our society with it being the second-leading cause of death for ages 10-24 and it’s increasing,” Martin said. “We think we’re insulated from it because of football, but we’re not. I’ll be working with coaches and hopefully through that we can have an impact on some kids and see if we can help the problem.”

The Jason Foundation was started by Clark Flatt in 1997 after the suicide of his 16-year-old son Jason.

Tennessee athletics director and former football coach Phillip Fulmer is the JFI national spokesperson.

“We are excited to have coach Martin join our team at the Jason Foundation,” Flatt said. “He will add a lot to our work with coaches and athletic teams not only in Tennessee, but the nation as well.”

Along with the TSSAA, the JFI is partnered with governing high school athletic associations in Texas, Alabama and Louisiana.

Martin said working with the JFI will keep him connected to coaching and that is something he hoped for in his retirement from the profession.

"I can't not do anything; it just will not work," Martin said. "I've got to be going and this will be something good that I can do and I can feel good that I'm contributing something. I have a vision for a lot things that we can do and am looking forward to getting started."

Martin spent a total of 29 years as a head coach including the past six at Stewarts Creek.

He also was the coach at Columbia Academy (1989-90), Westmoreland (1990-92) and Goodpasture (1992-2013).

Martin led Goodpasture to three Class 2A state titles (1995, 1999, 2001). The Cougars played in five other state title games under Martin.

He was hired at Stewarts Creek when the school opened in 2013 and led the Red Hawks to the Class 5A state playoffs in 2016.

► More:Hall of Fame football coach David Martin retires

► More:The Jason Foundation celebrates 20th anniversary

► More:'You could be sitting beside someone who's hurting': Vol State talks suicide prevention

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.