Derrell Martin named head football coach, athletic director at Cohen

Cohen has stayed in-house for its new head football coach and athletic director, promoting Derrell Martin to both positions.

Martin succeeds Ben Powell, who departed both positions at Cohen to the head football coach at Haynes Academy last month.

A graduate of O. Perry Walker where he played for Larry Favre in 1997-98, Martin arrived at Cohen in 2019 as the offensive line coach of the Green Hornets. Martin previously served as an assistant coach at John McDonogh. Martin is a graduate of Southern University of New Orleans as well.

Ben Powell named head football coach at Haynes Academy

Powell did a fine job as the head coach at Cohen over the last four years (2016-19). He employed the Single Wing offense to make the Green Hornets respectable again.

“I’m about the opportunity,” Martin said. “I can’t really express how happy I am about the opportunity. To be the head coach and athletic director is a thrill. To have an opportunity to coach with Coach Powell was a great experience. We had kind of a down year last year but it was a good experience and we expect to bounce back.”

Cohen has struggled to win games consistently and the issue has mostly pertained to a lack of able bodies.

“We trying to make the best out our situation and be the best we can be,” Powell said. “Numbers are the biggest problem and challenge we have. We have to try to get more kids to come out for football and more kids to participate in all athletics at Cohen. We have to convince youngsters that Cohen is a viable option for them. We feel we have a lot to offer and have a good school.”

Powell is thrilled that Martin is getting the opportunity.

“He is a great guy,” Powell said. “I’m really excited for him. He is a good man, coach and teacher in the classroom. When people are good teachers, they end up being good coaches. He is passionate about students and passionate about football. I think that will transfer over to him doing a good job. He is so invested in the development of the kids as a whole. That’s what we need more of in school. He will do a great job.”

Martin’s mother is an alumnus of Cohen.

“Growing up in a household of her, I became very familiar with Walter L. Cohen,” Martin said. “It is a legacy in our family.”