Sources have reported that Marc Martinez, a former player and long-serving assistant coach at Tarleton, passed away as a result of a car accident that occurred in the Stephenville region on Friday morning.
Today is a devastating day for the Texan Football program,” stated head coach Todd Whitten. “Coach Martinez was more than just a talented assistant coach, he was a remarkable leader, an exceptional individual, and a dear friend. He played a significant role in elevating the program to its current level, and his loss is deeply felt by us all. My heart goes out to his family, his wife Lacie, and his daughters Estella and Camilla. He will be greatly missed.
Martinez had finished his eighth season on the Texan coaching staff, with the 2022 season being his sixth as the full-time linebackers coach and fifth as the director of the program’s summer camp.
Losing a beloved member of the Tarleton Athletics family is never easy, and the news of Coach Martinez’s passing this morning has been extremely upsetting,” said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lonn Reisman. “Marc was not only a highly valued member of the Tarleton Football coaching staff, but also a cherished member of Tarleton Athletics for the past 12 years. He will be remembered for his unwavering dedication and his distinguished career as a proud Tarleton Texan. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as we mourn his loss.
Martinez played a crucial role in the Texans’ successful start to their NCAA Division I reclassification journey, with the team posting three consecutive winning seasons. During his second full-time season in 2018, Martinez made a significant contribution to the coaching of the Texan defense, which achieved the most successful season in the school’s history. The Texans had a 12-1 record, won their first-ever outright LSC title, and made it to the NCAA regional finals, with a national ranking of 5th.
The Tarleton State University alum and coach, Martinez, has mentored several all-conference level linebackers, including the most highly drafted Texan in school history, E.J. Speed, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
Martinez started his coaching career at Tarleton in 2015 as a graduate assistant coach for the defense, after a successful four-year playing career as a Texan. He was a two-time All-LSC linebacker and excelled in his senior year by surpassing the 100-tackle mark, leading the team. Over the course of 35 games, Martinez was a member of the 2013 Lone Star Conference Championship team and recorded two interceptions, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and 253 total tackles (119 solo). He also made 17.0 tackles for a loss and deflected seven passes during his playing career.
Martinez held both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Tarleton. He passed away at the age of 30 and is survived by his wife, Lacie, and two young daughters, Estella and Camilla.
