John Martin Returns To Hornet Baseball

Baseball | 8/25/2025 2:30:00 PM

August 25, 2025-A Hornet is returning to the nest as John Martin has agreed to become the sixth head baseball coach at Emporia State since 1973.
 
"I'm excited to be coming back to Emporia State," said Martin. "As an alum and former coach, I've always felt connected with the Hornets and this was the right time for me and my family to come home."
 
Martin has spent the last ten seasons at MIAA rival Central Oklahoma and led the Bronchos to five NCAA Tournaments and two MIAA Championships, including the MIAA Tournament Title last May.  The former Hornet catcher went 318-181-1 during his ten years in Edmond.
 
"I am incredibly excited to welcome Coach Martin, his wife Courtney, and their daughter Emmie back to Emporia State. With his proven history of winning and deep connection to our program, I have no doubt that great things are ahead for Hornet Baseball," said Emporia State Director of Athletics Steve Rodecap. "I would like to personally thank Jason Santangelo and Colleen Mischke for their efficiency and dedication throughout the search process."

Martin led UCO to four consecutive 30+ win seasons from 2016-19 and hit the 30 win mark in seven of his nine full seasons. The Bronchos were on pace to do so again in 2020 with a 17-3 record, and ranked 12th in the country, when COVID  stopped the season in its tracks.
 
 "We spent a great ten years in Edmond and got to know a lot of good people," said Martin. "I want to thank Stan Wagnon and everyone at UCO for everything they did for me and my family."

Martin led UCO to the NCAA Tournament Central Regional in five seasons and reached the regional finals in 2017 and 2019.
 
The Bronchos finished the 2025 season with a 36-17 overall record and went 23-13 in the MIAA. At one point they won 13 straight games. Central would to 3-0 in Joplin to win the Association's postseason title, capped by an 11-4 win over Northwest Missouri in the championship game. Central Oklahoma ended the season receiving votes in the ABCA Top 30 coaches poll, the only time last year they were not in the top 30. 

Martin has had a trio of Major League Baseball draft picks. Holden Capps was picked in the eighth round by the Kansas City Royals in 2017, Austin Lambright was picked in the 10th round by the Royals in 2018, and Spencer Van Scoyoc was also taken in the 19th round in 2019. Dylan Hall was also signed by the New York Mets following the shortened 2020 MLB Draft. 

Central has had 30 players earn a combined 38 All-MIAA selections since 2016. Ten have earned All-Region honors, and six were named All-Americans.

Martin took over the UCO reigns in July of 2015 after four years as head coach at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College and led the Bronchos to a 30-22 record in his first season, with two players earning All-America honors.

Martin assumed control of the Coffeyville program in August 2011 and led the team to a school-record 33 wins during the 2012 season, earning Jayhawk Conference Coach of the Year honors. The Ravens tied that record by winning 33 games again in 2013, set another record with a 38-18 campaign in 2014 and had 29 wins in 2015. He went 133-105 at Coffeyville and guided the Ravens to the super-regional all four years, one of just two teams in the junior college ranks to accomplish that feat.

A native of Shawnee, Kan., Martin played one year at Hutchinson CC before coming to ESU for his three-year career as the starting catcher. During his senior season he hit .303 with 30 RBI and from his catcher position threw out 17 would be base stealers was the 2006 Roger Newell Award Winner. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 24th round of the draft. He spent time with both the Gulf Coast Dodgers and the Ogden Raptors where he hit .256 with three RBI and a .343 on-base percentage. In 2008 he played with the Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League.

Martin returned to Emporia State to start his college coaching career in 2008 as assistant coach, directing the pitchers and catchers. He helped the Hornets to a 134-42 record during his three-year tenure, including a national runner-up finish in 2009.

Martin also spent two summers as manager of the Liberal Bee Jays, a summer collegiate baseball team. He coached the team to a 42-13 record and the National Baseball Congress championship in 2010 when he was named NBC Manager of the Year.

John and his wife Courtney, also an Emporia State grad, have one daughter Emmie.
 
THE MARTIN FILE
Head Coach At UCO 2016-25            318-181-1
Head Coach at Coffeyville CC 2012-15       133-105
Assistant Coach at ESU 2008-11      134-42