Wayne Martin, former WKYT and WYMT general manager and Morehead State basketball coach, dies at 79

Wayne Martin, a prominent Central Kentucky civic leader who previously served as general manager for WKYT and WYMT and later became one of Morehead State University’s best-known men’s basketball coaches, died Saturday morning, WKYT reported. Martin was 79 and, the station said, was only a few weeks away from his 80th birthday.

WKYT described Martin as a veteran media executive who worked for Gray Media, the company that owns WKYT and WYMT. In his earlier roles, he helped lead the day-to-day operations of the Lexington and Hazard television stations, according to WKYT’s account of his career.

The station also tied Martin’s name to his work in basketball at Morehead State. WKYT characterized him as a legendary coach for the Eagles, a role that made him widely known across eastern and central Kentucky communities where the program draws multi-generational support.

Beyond television and coaching, WKYT said Martin was a civic leader in Central Kentucky. While the report did not outline specific organizational roles, it placed him as a figure who was active in the local community and recognized for his involvement beyond his professional careers.

WKYT’s report did not provide additional details about the circumstances of Martin’s death or information about surviving family members. It also did not include information on memorial plans, services, or timelines for statements from Morehead State University or his former employer.

In the days ahead, additional information is likely to come from the institutions Martin worked with, including Gray Media’s local stations and Morehead State athletics. Those entities typically confirm dates, communicate funeral arrangements, and share information about how the public can offer condolences.

Martin’s death marks the loss of a public-facing figure whose work spanned two major parts of Kentucky life: local broadcast media and university sports. His dual career also reflects how regional leaders often shape community identity through both information and shared civic traditions like college athletics.