Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Gators Calendar

Hall of Fame

Tom Martinez

Tom Martinez

  • Class
    1967
  • Induction
    1989
  • Sport(s)
    Football, Baseball
After playing football and graduating from San Francisco State in 1967, Martinez's illustrious coaching career began in 1974 at College of San Mateo (CSM). He coaches football, softball, and women's basketball for the Bulldogs.

After CSM hired Martinez in 1974, Martinez won championships in all three of his sports during his first year. With more than 1,400 career victories (400 in football, a state-record 565 in basketball, and 800 in softball) over 32 years, Martinez was the most successful community coach in the history of California and perhaps the nation. At CSM, he was head football coach for five years and offensive coordinator many years after. He was the 1995 California Community Coach of the Year, a member of the Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame (with the exhibit named after him), and a member of the State Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. 

His coaching relationship with NFL quarterback Tom Brady, a San Mateo native, lasted from when Brady was 13 through five Super Bowls until his death.

Martinez was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 and passed away in 2012 after suffering a heart attack on his 66th birthday. He was survived by his wife, Olivia, whom he met at San Francisco State, his three children, and six grandchildren.
 
Explore HOF Explore Hall of Fame Members