Martin's teams did not win a national championship, but his time at Florida State was filled with awards and accomplishments. Martin has been named ACC Coach of the Year seven times (1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2009, 2012). Martin announced his retirement on June 18, 2018, following the 2019 season. In 1997, his first year as coach of the Seminoles, Martin led Florida State to its first undefeated regular season since 1954 when they went 11-0. The Seminoles were ranked No. 1 throughout most of the season before losing their only game of the year against Virginia Tech in overtime. Florida State finished the season ranked No. 2 behind Alabama who had a better record overall (12-1). In 1998, Martin's second year as coach of the Seminoles, he led them back to a national title game for the first time since 1957. The Seminoles beat Tennessee 34-31 in double overtime in the Fiesta Bowl to claim their first championship in school history. Florida State finished the season ranked No. 1 for a second consecutive year after going 12-0. This was also the first time that any team from the Atlantic Coast Conference had won the college football championship. In 1999, Martin's third year as coach of the Seminoles, he led them to another undefeated regular season (12-0) and a third straight No. 1 ranking.