In Episode 388 of Airey Bros Radio, we go belly to belly with Coach Joey Martinez, Head Men’s Wrestling Coach & Director of Wrestling at Menlo College.Coach Martinez has led the Oaks for 16 seasons and just guided the program through a historic year — their first as an NCAA Division II program, capturing the inaugural MPSF Championship, winning the program’s first NCAA national title, producing 3 individual NCAA champions, 10 All-Americans, and going undefeated at home.In this deep dive, we cover:
- Coach Martinez’s origin story from athlete to coach and 16 years leading Menlo Wrestling
- Transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II and the challenges of the two-year postseason ineligibility
- Recruiting philosophy: California roots, national reach, and finding the right student-athlete fit
- Building culture, character, and maturity in today’s athletes
- The role of parents in recruiting and student-athlete development
- Menlo’s tight-knit community, business school focus, and Bay Area opportunities for athletes
- Alumni support, internships, and life beyond the mat
- The importance of dual meet atmospheres, rivalries with SF State & Humboldt, and undefeated home crowds
If you’re a wrestling fan, recruit, parent, or coach, this episode shines a light on the “diamond in the rough” that is Menlo College Wrestling.
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Show Notes
0:00 – Intro: Airey Bros set the stage, spotlighting Menlo Wrestling & California wrestling tradition
1:31 – Coach Joey Martinez bio: 16 seasons at Menlo, Hall of Famer, NAIA All-American
3:26 – Origin story: Wrestling since age 9, UC Davis, Skyline College, Menlo journey
8:00 – Recruiting philosophy: Finding the right fit, parents’ role, business-focused academics
14:27 – Coaching parents & building family relationships in recruiting
17:15 – Transition from NAIA → NCAA Division II: challenges, postseason eligibility, MPSF title
20:54 – Retention & loyalty: Why Menlo athletes stayed during the transition
21:57 – Recruiting reach: California pipeline, Western states, national connections
23:25 – Character over technique: Evaluating athletes’ maturity, attitude, and resilience
28:35 – Coaching today’s athletes: maturity vs habits, instilling discipline & consistency
28:47 – Social media: policies, positives, and challenges in the wrestling room
31:03 – Dual meets & Menlo’s undefeated home crowd: spotlight matches & rivalries
33:27 – Rivalries: locking horns with SF State, Humboldt, and local California DII powers
34:41 – Alumni network, internships, business school focus, and career opportunities post-wrestling
37:22 – Bay Area location: Atherton campus, diverse student body, Menlo’s tight-knit community
40:55 – Preseason prep: weight room,...
