David Martinez begins his fourth season as the head softball coach at Henderson State and his seventh season as a member of the coaching staff in 2023-24. Martinez was hired as the sixth head coach in program history in May of 2020 following two seasons as the Reddies head assistant and a single year as the associate head coach.
During the 2023 season, Martinez produced a pair of All-GAC First Team selections in Kaitlyn O'Quinn and Abbie Moore while Brooke Johnson and Katelyn McMahan garnered Honorable Mention status.
Before joining the Reddies in the spring of 2018, Martinez spent the 2017 season at Southern Mississippi as an assistant coach. While at Southern Mississippi, he helped guide the team to their sixth winning season in school history. He also coached two players that were named C-USA All-Conference.
Prior to his stint at Southern Miss, Martinez spent eight years as an assistant coach at Delta State University. While at DSU, Martinez coached 19 different players that earned All-Gulf South Conference honors, nine All-South Region performers and GSC Freshman of the Year.
In 2016, he helped guide the the Lady Statesmen to one of their most successful seasons in school history. The Lady Statesmen went 34-20, the most wins in a season since 2008 and during the historical run. The Lady Statesmen started 12-0 in GSC play and that was the best start in conference since the Lady Statesmen won 11 straight in 2004. Continuing to add during the historical run, the Lady Statesmen made its its first NFCA Top 25 ranking in school history.
In 2014, he helped guide the Lady Statesmen to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002. Delta State earned the No. 7 seed and posted a 1-2 record at the Tampa super regional, a win over Palm Beach Atlantic and two losses to No. 2 Tampa.
Martinez spent time as a graduate assistant softball coach at Sul Ross State University in Texas, while earning his master of education in physical education, graduating in May 2008.
Five years earlier, Martinez was a baseball player for the Division III School, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Sports Medicine in May of 2003. Martinez has also played in the Mexican Professional Baseball League, as well as leagues across the United States.
After graduation, Martinez worked as a coach and physical education teacher at Del Rio Junior High and High School, the same high school he graduated from in 1996. Martinez also volunteered as a coach in summer recreational baseball leagues.
Martinez is the son of Gilbert and Cooky Martinez, and has one brother, Gilbert Martinez III. He has one nephew, Zach and one niece, Olivia.
Martinez and his wife Kelci were married in November of 2017 and have one child, David Jr.
