BY TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
The search for a new leader of the Salina South Cougars didn't take long, as on Wednesday, the school announced the hiring of a stellar local coach in Marty Wendel, who comes to South by way of Ell-Saline.
Under Wendel's leadership, the Cardinals, who didn't post a single winning season from 2013-2020, have become a force to be reckoned with in Class 2A, finishing the last four campaigns a combined 71-24 with a third-place finish at state in 2025.
Below, you can read the full release made public by Salina South on the new hire.
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Salina South High School is excited to announce the hiring of Marty Wendel as the new Head Boys Basketball Coach of the Cougars, pending board approval.
After completing his collegiate career at Colby Community College in 2012 and Fort Hays State University in 2015, where he played for long-time FHSU Head Coach Mark Johnson, Coach Wendel began his teaching and coaching career at Chapman Middle School. During his five years there, he taught and served as both the girls and boys head middle school basketball coach.
In 2020, Wendel moved to Ell-Saline Middle/High School, where he taught Strength/Conditioning, PE/Health, and Driver’s Education. Under his leadership, the Cardinals program experienced a remarkable turnaround—going from a zero-win season in 2020 to four consecutive winning seasons. Highlights of his tenure include a 3rd place state finish in 2025, setting the state record for most points in a state tournament game (109), three straight substate championship appearances, and the development of multiple all-league and all-state players. Wendel has also been recognized as a Coach of the Year finalist at the 2A level on multiple occasions.
Marty Wendel and his wife, Alyssa, moved to Salina in 2020 when he joined Ell-Saline. Alyssa has worked at Kansas State University Salina since 2016. Together, they have two children, Kain (7) and Collins (4). As Wendel shared, “My kids are incredibly excited that my school is now so close! We are excited to deepen our roots in Salina.”
“This has been an incredibly humbling experience for me and I can’t thank Mr. Stuart and the hiring committee enough for giving me this opportunity. I look forward to bringing a new energy to this program and continuing to build on the tremendous success that Coach Hooper has had these past 10 plus years. Go Cougars!”
“I am very pleased to announce the hiring of Marty Wendel, as Salina South High School’s new boys basketball head coach. I have admired the success Coach Wendel has enjoyed so far in his head coaching career, and look forward to him building upon that success at Salina South. I am very confident he possesses all of the tools necessary to lead our boys basketball program.” said Ryan Stuart, Salina South Athletic Director.
Please welcome Coach Wendel, his wife Alyssa, and family to the Salina South Cougar Community!