Jason Martinez was recently hired to be Grinnell College's new defensive coordinator. We are excited to have a coach of Coach Martinez's caliber as a part of the Pioneer Football program and are looking forward to him being a part of our success. Read more about Coach Martinez below!
A Michigan native, Jason Martinez played all four years and earned his bachelor’s degree at Albion College (Mich.) in 2005 and is currently working towards finishing his master’s degree.
Martinez coached for one year at his alma mater in 2005. As assistant defensive line and special teams coach, Martinez helped Albion win the MIAA Championship and a berth to the NCAA DIII Playoffs. He also helped coach two All-MIAA defensive linemen.
After Albion, Coach Martinez joined Bemidji State as the defensive line coach as well as the strength and conditioning coordinator for the program. During his time, Bemidji posted the nation’s top run defense at the NCAA Division II level in 2006 and earned top rankings in sacks and interceptions as well. In 2007, BSU posted a top-five finish in the nation versus the run. In his two years, he oversaw the development of a Preseason All-American, NSIC Defensive Player of the Year and All-NSIC Conference defensive tackle as well as a pair of All-NSIC Conference defensive ends.
After two seasons at Bemidji State, he went on to coach the defensive line and special teams at Illinois College. For two seasons, he coached an All-MWC defensive lineman and an All-Academic MWC defensive lineman before accepting the defensive coordinator and linebacker’s job at Grinnell College this past spring.
“This is an exciting opportunity for me to coach in the Midwest Conference as the defensive coordinator of a team that I believe has all the right opportunities for student-athletes. I look forward to the season and helping restore the excellence of Pioneer Football on and off the field.”
