Following 18 years with the baseball program, San Diego State head coach Mark Martinez announced his retirement as the Aztec’s skipper Thursday.
As head coach, Martinez compiled a 257-217 record (.542) in nine seasons as head coach of the Aztecs, winning Mountain West tournament championships in 2015, 2017 and 2018 to go with one regular-season title in 2023.
He had 1,144 wins over his career.
Pitching coach Shaun Cole will serve as San Diego State’s acting head coach.
Prior to his elevation to head coach, Martinez spent nine years as an assistant under the late Tony Gwynn, serving as the program’s associate head coach before succeeding the Padres Hall-of-Famer on Aug. 20, 2014.
“Thank you to my family,” Martinez said. “My wife, Jada, has believed in me from our beginning and has been the backbone of our family. She is my “why” and I look forward to more time exploring the world together. Without her, I would not have had the chance to chase my passion and live it every day.
“I’m blessed with two great kids,” he continued. “I thank them for their undying support and matched passion for our program and my experiences. Marissa and Cade are my light and I look forward to watching their journey and celebrating their life’s accomplishments.”
Under Martinez’s tutelage, Aztec players garnered 46 all-Mountain West accolade, including four conference Pitchers of the Year, one MW Player of the Year and one league Freshman of the Year.
In that time frame, the Aztecs had 53 student-athletes chosen in the MLB draft, with 13 of those selections making the big leagues. Three, in fact, were selected this week.
“Mark has had a tremendous run over the last 18 seasons at San Diego State, including the last nine as the head coach,” said SDSU athletic director John David Wicker. “Mark’s teams have been competitive on and off the field, and he has left a lasting mark on Aztec baseball.”
After spending 17 years as an assistant coach at New Mexico, Martinez was hired in a similar capacity at San Diego State in July 2005, initially overseeing infielders and coaching at third base, according to a university statement.
Along with Gwynn, Martinez helped the Aztecs end an 18-year drought from NCAA postseason play with a regional appearance in 2009.
“I want to thank Tony Gwynn and the Gwynn family for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to coach at SDSU,” Martinez added. “Coach Gwynn changed our life’s trajectory and I’m forever grateful.”
Martinez also served a five-year stint from 1984-88 as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Mesa State College (now Colorado Mesa University) in Grand Junction, Colo.
Martinez played shortstop at Mesa State from 1982-84, earning all-conference and all-district honors as a senior.
In addition to his work with the Lobos, Martinez gained experience over two summers in 1993 and 1994 as head coach of the Mat-su Miners in the Alaska Summer League.
– City News Service
