Notre Dame Football has appointed Mike Martin as the program’s general manager, bringing decades of NFL scouting and personnel expertise to South Bend. Martin arrives after more than 20 years in NFL scouting departments, most recently serving as director of scouting advancement for the Detroit Lions over the past four seasons.
Head coach Marcus Freeman praised Martin’s leadership and talent evaluation skills, emphasizing his ability to enhance roster-building strategies. “Mike Martin is an innovative, forward-thinking, organized leader, who is also elite at talent evaluation,” Freeman said. “His experience in roster building, management, and sports science will help us continue to elevate our program.”
During his time with the Lions, Martin played a key role in refining scouting and roster development processes. His efforts contributed to Detroit’s historic 15-2 record in 2024, breaking the franchise’s single-season wins record. The previous season, the Lions finished 12-5, winning their first division championship since 1993 and advancing to their first NFC Championship since 1991.
Before joining Detroit, Martin spent three seasons with the Carolina Panthers as a southwest area scout (2018-20). He previously dedicated 11 years to the Houston Texans, beginning as a college scout, later becoming national scout, and ultimately serving as assistant director of college scouting.
Martin’s NFL career began with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he held multiple roles, including pro personnel assistant, pro scout, and national combine scout. His first NFL experience came in 2002 as an intern with the Tennessee Titans.
A Vanderbilt University alumnus, Martin played defensive back for four seasons and graduated cum laude in 2003. He was also a finalist for the Male SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He later earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Vanderbilt.
With his extensive experience in scouting, analytics, and roster construction, Martin is expected to bring a fresh perspective to Notre Dame’s football operations. His leadership will play a crucial role in shaping the program’s recruiting and player development strategies.
Martin and his wife, Cari, have two children, Maddon and Malone. As he steps into his new role at Notre Dame, his track record of success in the NFL positions him as a valuable addition to the Irish football program.