It was reported earlier this week that Colorado assistant Demetrice Martin was a target for new head coach Dan Lanning as he looks to fill out his staff, and Thursday afternoon Oregon made the hire official.

Martin will join the Ducks program as its new cornerbacks coach. The veteran Pac-12 assistant will also hold the title of passing game coordinator.

“I am so excited to welcome Demetrice Martin to our football staff here at Oregon,” Lanning said in a release. “He is better known to players and coaches as ‘Coach Meat.’ He brings a plethora of coaching experience on the West Coast and in the Pac-12, and he has developed a strong reputation as an elite recruiter out west over the last several years.

“The two characteristics I look for most in my search for coaches is relationships and development. Coach Martin definitely checks both those boxes. Demetrice has proven over time to be a great teacher and developer of men on and off the field. His journey as a coach has been just as impressive, growing from a high school coach at Monrovia High School to a Junior College coach at Mt. San Antonio to now at the University of Oregon. Please join me in welcoming Coach Martin and his children Cole, Cassius, Kori, and Quincee to Duck Nation.”

Martin brings 15 years of experience coaching in the Pac-12 to Eugene after spending the last two seasons as cornerbacks coach at Colorado. He has also made stops at Arizona (2018-19), UCLA (2012-17), and Washington (2009-11) as an on-field assistant. Martin spent two seasons (2006-07) as a grad assistant on Pete Carroll’s USC staff as well.

“I am super stoked for the opportunity to work at the University of Oregon, a premier university in one of the top conferences in the world.” Martin said. “Combine this with the energy, enthusiasm, experience, and expertise of the staff that Coach Lanning is putting together, and I know we have the perfect storm brewing.”

According to the Ducks, Martin has coached 15 different defensive backs to Pac-12 all-conference selections during his career. Martin, 48, is also regarded as a strong recruiter.

He’s the third official addition to Lanning’s staff, joining offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham and co-defensive coordinator Matt Powledge. The Ducks are also reportedly targeting NFL assistants in Adrian Klemm and Tosh Lupoi. They’re also reportedly close to hiring Nebraska defensive line coach Tony Tuioti.