Grinnell College Athletics

Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers/Strength and Conditioning

Jason Martinez begins his 12th season as the defensive coordinator and head strength coach for the Grinnell College Pioneers. He has helped the defense steadily improve and finish the 2013 season ranked 21st in turnovers gained in Division III. He came to Grinnell after spending two seasons at Illinois College, where he was the defensive line, special teams coach and Head Men's Tennis coach. 

In 2016, the Pioneers boasted the nation's leading tackler in Ryan Slager '19. Slager repeated that feat in 2017.
 
Prior to Illinois College, he coached the defensive line at Bemidji State University, where he was instrumental in the Bemidji State Beavers defense posting the nation's number one run defense in Division II during the 2006 season, while winning a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championship and a berth in the 2006 Mineral Water Bowl. During the 2007 campaign, Bemidji State posted yet again another top-five finish in the nation versus the run. 
 
Jason coached for one year at his alma mater, Albion College, as an assistant defensive line and special teams coach, where he helped them win the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship and a berth to the NCAA Division III playoffs. While at Albion, Jason was a two-sport student-athlete participating in both football and Track and Field while earning his bachelor's degree in psychology. Additionally, he holds a master's degree in sports management from California University of Pennsylvania and is also a certified strength and conditioning coach with the National Strength and Conditioning Association, holding a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) certification.