July 28, 2005
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State head baseball coach Tony Gwynn today announced the hiring of Mark Martinez as an assistant coach with the Aztec program. Martinez comes to SDSU after 17 years as an assistant at the University of New Mexico.
Martinez will be in charge of the Aztec infielders and is also expected to be the third base coach during games. In addition, he will also serve as the director of the Aztec baseball camps and clinics, a series of instructional sessions for young players offered each winter and summer.
"We feel very fortunate to have Mark join the Aztec baseball program," said Gwynn. "His experience and knowledge of the game are impressive will be a resume and we feel he will be a tremendous asset as we continue to build the program here at San Diego State."
During his tenure at UNM, Martinez was a key member in leading the Lobo offense that has been one of the most prominent in the nation in recent years. New Mexico has been ranked among the top 11 teams in the nation in hitting the past four seasons and ranked among the top 10 in batting, slugging, doubles, triples and homers in 2005. He also helped lead the Lobos to the 2000 Mountain West Conference title.
Over the past 17 seasons, he has helped coach 47 all-conference selections and four conference players of the year. UNM also produced eight All-Americans, four Freshman All-Americans and four Academic All-Americans during that span. In addition, 31 players have been drafted in his 17 years at UNM.
"Going to San Diego State is a great opportunity to work in a really good baseball area," commented Martinez. "There are a lot of good people there, a lot of people that are going in the same direction I am. Tony (Gwynn) and I have developed a good relationship since he started coaching there. We've shared ideas, and I think we match up really well.
"Tony and Rusty (Filter) have a plan, and they're willing to execute that plan. The number one thing is that they're committed to making the Aztecs a national power. I feel like I can help make an immediate impact in the program and help them achieve that goal.
"I was at UNM for 17 years, and I loved working there. I'm going to miss our players, and it's going to be real hard to play against UNM. I feel it's the right time to pursue this opportunity and further my career in a different area of the country."
The 43-year-old Martinez came to New Mexico in 1988 after a five- year stint as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo. He played shortstop at Mesa from 1982-84, earning all-conference and all-district honors as a senior.
In addition to his experience with the Lobos, Martinez gained valuable experience in the summers of 1993 and 1994 as head coach of the Mat-su Miners in the Alaska Summer League.
Martinez received his bachelor's degree in Physical Education in 1984 and completed his master's in Sports Administration from New Mexico in January of 1990.
Born Dec. 18, 1961, in Aurora, Colo., Martinez graduated from Longmont (Colo.) High School in 1980. He and wife Jada Lucey Martinez, UNM's associate athletics director for development, have two children, a daughter, Marissa (7), and a son, Cade (2).