Florida State baseball has found its new head coach

In a move that was widely expected, Florida State baseball will be replacing Mike Martin with...Mike Martin.

Mike Martin Jr., who has served as a coach for the Seminoles for 22 years, has been tapped to replace his dad, who helped lead Florida State to the College World Series in his 40th and final year as head coach.

After his hiring Mike Martin Jr. released a statement, “I want to thank President John Thrasher and Director of Athletics David Coburn for entrusting me with this special program. I’m very honored and humbled to be able to lead Florida State. It’s been a privilege to serve at this great University for the past 22 years and I’m excited to extend FSU’s 70-year history of success moving forward.”

FSU President John Thrasher said, “I have every confidence Mike Martin Jr. will carry on the winning tradition of Florida State University baseball. “For more than two decades as an assistant coach, he has shown he is a talented recruiter, passionate competitor and respected mentor to our student-athletes. While Mike Martin Jr. brings his own strengths and style of coaching to the program, his values, integrity and love for this university will carry on the proud legacy of his father.”

From Jr.’s official bio:

Entering his 22nd season as an assistant coach, Mike Martin Jr. is widely recognized as one of the bright assistant coaches in the college game. A former All-American catcher with the Seminoles, he serves as FSU’s recruiting coordinator and has placed each of his past eight recruiting classes in the Top 10 of at least one publication, including a No. 3 ranking in 2018 by Baseball America. Additionally, Martin works with the hitters and handles the Florida State catchers.

Serving as FSU’s hitting coach over the last 21 years, Martin and the Seminoles have batted .300 or better 11 times and posted an on-base percentage of at least .400 17 times. Six of the top 11 hitting teams in FSU history have come under Martin’s watch. In 2009, he was named ACC Assistant Coach of the Year by SEBaseball.com, while being named one of 10 rising assistant coaches in the game by Perfect Game USA in 2013.

He began his collegiate career in 1992 at Manatee Community College, where he earned All-Conference honors. The Tallahassee native graduated from Maclay School, where he captained the 1991 state championship team as a senior and had his No. 10 jersey retired. He was drafted as a shortstop out of high school by Seattle in the 31st round.

Martin first distinguished himself as the Seminoles’ starting catcher from 1993-95, earning NCAA All-Tournament honors in each of his three seasons. He was the Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Atlantic II Regional in 1994, leading the Seminoles to the College World Series and earning second team NCBWA All-America honors. He was selected to the 1995 NCAA Atlantic I Regional All-Tournament Team as the Seminoles returned to Omaha for the second straight year. In 1993, Martin was a member of Team USA. He was drafted out of college by San Diego in the ninth round in 1995.

Mike Martin Jr. will meet with the media on Monday, June 24th at 3:30 p.m. Be sure to check back for updates on his first press conference as FSU baseball’s new head coach.