July 28, 2005
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico Associate Baseball Coach Mark Martinez has accepted an assistant coaching position at San Diego State University and will join Tony Gwynn’s staff next month. Martinez was a fixture in the Lobo baseball program for 17 years and was a member of head coach Rich Alday’s staff for 16 years.
During his tenure, Martinez was a key member in leading the Lobo offense to one of the most prominent in the nation. New Mexico has been ranked in the top 11 in batting 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 title. In addition, 31 players have been drafted in his 17 years at UNM.
“I’m very excited about going to San Diego State and the challenges that lie ahead,” Martinez said. “I’ve been at UNM for 17 years, and I loved working here. Coach Alday gave me an opportunity to work here, and we’ve had a great relationship. I just think it’s time for me to meet some new challenges. It’s a chance to get re-energized and try something different.
“Going to San Diego State is a great opportunity to work in a really good baseball area,” he continued. “There’s 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 (assistant coach) have a plan, and they’re willing to execute that plan. The number one thing is that they’re committed to make the Aztecs a national power. I feel like I can help make an immediate impact in the program and help them achieve that goal.
“Rich (Alday) and Rudy (Davalos) and everyone here at New Mexico have been very supportive. They’ve given me a great opportunity to work at a great university. Coach Alday and I have been together for a long time, and it’s going to be very hard to leave. I’m going to miss our players, and it’s going to real hard to play against UNM. It will be strange to be on the other side after knowing all of the players here. It’s been a great ride, but I feel it’s the right time to pursue this opportunity and further my career in a different area of the country.”
Martinez came to New Mexico in 1988 after a five-year stint at his alma mater, Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo. Martinez was an assistant coach at Mesa from 1984-88. Martinez played shortstop at Mesa from 1982-84 where he earned all-conference and all-district honors as a senior. He received his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education in 1984. He completed his master’s in Sports Administration from New Mexico in January of 1990.