FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State University Director of Athletics Randy Spetman announced today that head baseball coach Mike Martin has agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension that will take the Hall of Fame coach through the 2015 season.
Martin completed his 33rd season as the Seminoles’ head coach in 2012 leading Florida State back to the College World Series for the third time in the last five years, a 50-win season and a top four finish.
“I love this university and I am excited about what the future holds for this program,” said Martin.
“We are very pleased to be able to keep coach Martin in the same position he has been in for more than three decades,” said Spetman. “Our baseball program not only consistently wins but also excels in the classroom. Not only did this year’s team make it to the semifinals of the World Series but they placed a school record and ACC-leading nine student-athletes on the All-ACC Academic team. With his contract ending June 30, we moved quickly to continue the consistency at the top of our program we have enjoyed since 1980.”
FSU has finished a season ranked in the top 15 nationally 28 times in Martin’s 33 years as Seminole head coach, while all 24 of Florida State’s 50-win seasons have come under the direction of the longtime coach.
“Obviously, the way I feel about Florida State has been printed before,” added Martin. “This is where I want to finish my career. I am not saying that this is going to be the last contract that I am ever going to sign, that decision will be made by Florida State.”
Martin continues to redefine success by any standard of measure. With 1,723 career victories, a .743 winning percentage, 33 consecutive regional tournament appearances and 15 trips to the College World Series, Martin’s place in college baseball history is secure.
Since his induction into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007, Martin has eclipsed the 1,500-, 1,600- and 1,700-win milestones. He owns the second highest winning percentage among active NCAA Division I coaches and ranks third all-time in victories.
The FSU alum has become the face of Florida State baseball having been associated with the Seminoles for 40 of FSU’s 65 seasons. Of the 3,598 baseball games played in program history, Martin has been involved in 2,705 as a player, assistant coach and head coach. What is even more impressive is Martin’s involvement in 1,990 of the 2,623 all-time victories at Florida State. In one way or another, Martin has been a part of more than 75.9% of FSU’s victories.
He has led his team to the NCAA’s in each of his 33 years on the bench at Florida State. He has also led FSU to 15 College World Series appearances including three trips in the last five years. The most amazing feat is that Martin has continued the winning tradition at Florida State as the Seminoles have never suffered a losing season during the program’s 65-year existence.
Martin has led Florida State to 16 conference championships since taking over as head coach in 1980 with 11 from the Metro Conference and five in the ACC. Since moving to divisional play in 2006, Martin has guided the Seminoles to at least a share of the ACC Atlantic Division title six years in a row from 2007-2012.
Florida State captured the ACC Championship in 2010 defeating NC State in Greensboro, N.C., and has played in the conference title game in three of the last four years. FSU’s run to a division title in 2008 was accomplished after Martin led the ‘Noles to a league mark of 24-6, a school record for the most conference wins in team history. Martin and the Seminoles matched that win total with 24 victories in 2012. He is a six-time Metro Conference Coach of the Year and has been recognized as the top coach in the ACC seven times including just this past season.
Eighty-four Florida State players have earned All-America honors under Martin, while 109 players have garnered first and second team All-ACC recognition. He has coached seven players, Mike Fuentes, Mike Loynd, J.D. Drew, Shane Robinson, Tony Thomas, Jr., Buster Posey and James Ramsey, who were named National Players of the Year.
