UTPB Athletics

Jacob Martin enters his seventh season as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at UT Permian Basin where he has overseen one of the best position groups for the Falcons.  Martin has coached All-American and two-time Lone Star Conference Linebacker of the Year Chris Hoad, who finished his career as the LSC all-time leader in tackles with 526, as well as Keegan Gray, a three-time Lone Star Conference Honorable Mention.

The linebackers were strong again in 2021, leading the defense with Miquon Mayes and Derrian Forge combining for 138 tackles.  For his efforts, Mayes was named an All-Conference Honorable Mention. 

Martin’s linebackers didn’t miss a beat in the spring of 2021, patrolling the middle of a potent defense that allowed just 12.6 points per game and over the final three games went nearly 10 full quarters without giving up a score.  The defense shutout Texas A&M - Kingsville in week four, with the only points scored by the Javelinas coming off a safety.  Mayes and John O’Kelley led the defense in tackles.  Mayes finished the year with 41 while O’Kelley finished with 28.

As a senior Hoad recorded a career-high 157 tackles to lead NCAA Division II.  He earned his second LSC Linebacker of the Year award, All-Conference First Team and AFCA Second Team All-American.  Gray earned All-Conference Honorable Mention despite missing time with injury.

In 2018, Hoad finished the season third in Division II with 133 tackles and while being named D2CCA All-Super Region Four First Team and Lone Star Conference Linebacker of the Year.  Fellow junior Gray was named LSC Honorable Mention after the season after recording 89 tackles.

In 2017, Hoad tied for the conference lead with 122 tackles while Gray ranked seventh in the conference with 96 tackles.  Both were named Lone Star Conference Honorable Mention after the season.

In the team's first season, Hoad ranked second in the conference with 114 total tackles as a freshman while freshman Emilio Solis placed sixth in the conference with 83 total tackles.
 
Prior to UTPB, Martin spent five years at Tarleton alongside Head Coach Justin Carrigan.  Martin spent his first two seasons as a graduate assistant coach working with the secondary. In 2012 he coached the defensive ends, before moving back to coach the secondary again for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
 
In Martin’s time at Tarleton he coached eight All-Conference, three All-Americans, and two players that played in the NFL, including sixth-round draft pick Rufus Johnson and free agent signee Dashaun Phillips.  Safety Charles Moore was named Capital One Academic All-American, Daktronics All-American, as well as being a finalist for the National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete award.  
 
Martin played at MSU Texas for two seasons. He was named Second Team All-Conference both years with the Mustangs.  As a senior, Martin was second on the team with 65 total tackles, just two behind the team lead. Martin had 20 solo and 43 assisted stops, including 2.5 tackles for a loss, forcing three fumbles.  In his junior season, Martin was second on the team in tackles with 64, including 27 solo and 37 assisted tackles. He had three tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, five pass breakups and a recovered fumble.
 
Martin transferred to MSU Texas from Trinity Valley Community College where he played the 2005 and 2006 seasons, after tearing his ACL before the 2004 season.  In 2005, Martin helped TVCC finish No. 2 in the nation with a conference championship and a win in the Pilgrim’s Pride Bowl. He was a JUCO All-American and was selected First Team All-Conference team both years. 
 
He was a 2004 graduate of Celina High School where he was a three-time state champion and played for GA Moore, the second winningest high school coach in the state of Texas.
 
Martin resides in Odessa with his wife, Kari and daughter Landri.