Wayne Martin was a four-year starter from 1975-78 for Keith Lowrance at Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach. He was a two-time champion and four-time Eastern District finalist while also capturing a pair of Eastern Regional titles and winning the AAA Virginia state championship in 1978.

Martin went on to be a four-year starter at Old Dominion University, where he was coached by Pete Robinson and Wayne's brother, Billy Martin Jr. Wayne was an Eastern Region Conference runner-up in 1979 and an intercollegiate Virginia state champion in 1979.

After earning his degree in health and physical education from Old Dominion in 1983, Martin began his coaching career at Great Bridge High School. He established a dynasty with his teams going 110-13-1 in dual meets while producing 22 state champions, 50 state place-winners and an NCAA Division I runner-up.

Martin was named Virginia Coach of the Year, National Federation Coach of the Year and Regional High School Coach of the Year in 1989. He was named Amateur Wrestling News High School Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1991.

He returned to coaching briefly in 2005 and added another Virginia AAA state championship.

Martin returned to administration and is the assistant director of student services for Chesapeake Public Schools.