Emporia State introduces John Martin as new baseball coach

EMPORIA (KSNT)- A familiar face has returned to Emporia State.

On Tuesday, the Hornets introduced alumnus John Martin as the sixth head coach of the program since 1973.

"The reason I'm here is because I'm a Hornet and I've always wanted to come back," Martin told 27 Sports. "The attitude we play with will help us get back to where we want to be."

Martin arrives back in Emporia after a highly successful 10-year run at MIAA rival Central Oklahoma. He guided the program to five NCAA Tournaments, two MIAA championships, and last spring’s conference tournament title. 

His UCO teams went 318-181-1, producing three Major League Baseball draft picks and dozens of all-league and All-American performers.

Before UCO, Martin was 133-105 at Coffeyville Community College, taking the Ravens to four straight super regionals — one of only two junior-college programs in the nation to do so during that span.

Martin got the call from ESU Athletic Director Steve Rodecap, and the conversation was exactly what both parties were looking for.

"When I got to meet with him (Rodecap) in person, it was apparent how much he gets it," Martin said. "He understands what he wants from our program and was really straightforward."

"When I saw the look in his eye, I knew he had it," Rodecap told 27 Sports. "He had it."

A native of Shawnee, Kansas, Martin played one season at Hutchinson CC before transferring to Emporia State. He became the Hornets’ starting catcher for three seasons, hitting .303 as a senior and winning the 2006 Roger Newell Award. That same year, he was drafted in the 24th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Martin also began his coaching career at Emporia State in 2008 as an assistant, working with pitchers and catchers during a stretch that saw the Hornets go 134-42 and reach the 2009 national championship game.

For Martin, Tuesday’s news conference was a homecoming. His young daughter even introduced him to the crowd, drawing smiles from players and fans alike.

"I wouldn't be here without my family," Martin said. "My wife is so great, and my daughter is amazing, and now she gets to grow up in a great community and hopefully be an athlete here someday too."

Martin takes over a program with a rich tradition and says the goal is immediate success. 

"I know a lot of people have told it takes time and a little bit, but I'm not patient," Martin said. "I want to win now and go do great things now. I want our players to expect a lot of themselves, and they're going to find out real quick what it means to be a Hornet."

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