SBU Sports: Stony Brook tabs Jim Martin as baseball head coach

Stony Brook University Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron named Jim Martin the new head coach of the Stony Brook baseball program, as announced on June 12.

“We are thrilled to elevate Jim to the role of head coach and believe that he is the ideal choice to carry forward the extraordinary legacy left by coach Senk,” said Heilbron. “During his time here, Jim has demonstrated outstanding leadership, a deep knowledge of the game and a true commitment to our student-athletes on and off of the field. His understanding of the program’s culture and his vision for the future will undoubtedly position us to compete for CAA championships while maintaining the standard of excellence for Stony Brook baseball.”

Martin has served as the Seawolves’ associate head coach since 2017, playing a vital role in the program’s success. During his tenure, Stony Brook captured an America East Tournament title, earned a berth to the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, and claimed three consecutive America East Regular Season championships. Martin becomes the second head coach in Stony Brook baseball’s Division I history, following the retirement of legendary skipper Matt Senk after 35 seasons.

“It’s an incredibly proud moment for me to see Jimmy Martin become the next head coach of Stony Brook baseball. Jimmy has been by my side for years – not just as a coach, but as a trusted friend and someone who truly loves this program as much as I do. He’s poured his heart into our student-athletes and understands the values and traditions that make Stony Brook baseball so special,” former head coach Matt Senk said. “Knowing that the program is in his hands gives me great comfort and pride. I can’t wait to watch him lead this next chapter with the same passion, integrity, and commitment that has always defined our team.”

Martin has been at the heart of one of the program’s most decorated eras. Under his guidance, the Seawolves won three America East Regular Season titles (2019, 2021, 2022), reached the 2019 NCAA Tournament, and posted multiple 30-win seasons. Since Stony Brook joined the CAA in 2023, Martin has led the Stony Brook offense to new heights. In 2025, the Seawolves recorded their highest batting average and on-base percentage since joining the CAA. Home run totals soared from 26 in 2024 to 69 in 2025, and the team also notched program highs in stolen bases and extra-base hits as a CAA member. The team also led the conference in double plays turned and ranked third in fielding percentage.

“I am incredibly honored, humbled, and thankful to be named the next head baseball coach at Stony Brook University,” said coach Martin. “This program means so much to me, and I’m truly grateful to Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron and our entire department for believing in me and giving me the chance to lead a team and university that I care so deeply about. I also want to thank Coach Senk – his leadership, mentorship, and friendship have had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally. It’s a privilege to follow in his footsteps and continue the incredible legacy he’s built over the past 35 years. Lastly, I want to thank my family for their constant love, support, and sacrifice. I’m excited for this next chapter and can’t wait to get to work with our players, alumni, and supporters as we strive to uphold the standards of excellence that make Stony Brook Baseball so special.”

A developer of talent on and off the field, Martin has helped numerous Seawolves reach the professional ranks and national acclaim. He mentored MLB Draft picks Bobby Honeyman (2018, Mariners), Aaron Pinto (2018, Indians), Michael Wilson (2019, Brewers), and Nick Grande (2019, Diamondbacks). Under his tutelage, Evan Fox became the program’s all-time stolen base leader and Erik Paulsen became a semifinalist for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award and also became the first player in program history to earn All-America honors from four publications.

Martin’s player development resume includes Nick Grande (Brooks Wallace Award finalist and America East Player of the Year), Chris Hamilton (America East Championship Tournament MVP), Toby Handley and Evan Giordano (America East Players of the Year), Brendan Pattermann (2023–24 CAA Leadership and Sports Excellence Award recipient), Erik Paulsen (CAA Rookie of the Year) and Nico Azpilcueta, the 2025 CAA leader in home runs and RBI.

Before joining the Seawolves, Martin spent three seasons at the University of Rhode Island – two as an assistant coach (2015-16) and one as associate head coach (2016-17). Off the field, he helped the Rams achieve their highest team GPA in five years. On the field, URI reached the A-10 Championship final after being picked last in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll. In 2016, they captured the regular season and tournament titles, earning the program’s first NCAA Tournament win with a victory over South Carolina in the Columbia Regional. URI followed that up in 2017 with a second-place finish in the A-10 and wins over nationally ranked NC State and Arkansas.

While at URI, Martin coached New England Player of the Year Chris Hess and slugger Mike Corin, who hit a program-record 19 home runs in 2017. He also developed three MLB Draft picks: Chase Livingston (2016, Royals), Chris Hess (2017), and Martin Figueroa (2017).

Martin previously served as head coach at Division II Merrimack College (2011-14), where he turned a 14-win team into a 30-win contender. The 2013 squad finished 30-19, one of the best records in program history. That year, he coached All-American Casey Cotter and Academic All-American Joe Mantoni, who was selected in the 2013 MLB Draft. In 2014, six Warriors earned Northeast-10 All-Conference honors, including Frank Crinella, the NE-10 Player of the Year and Merrimack’s first-ever NCBWA East Region Player of the Year.

Martin began his coaching career at Saint Anselm (2006) and later spent five seasons as an assistant at Southern Connecticut State (2007-11), where he recruited back-to-back NE-10 Rookies of the Year and helped the team to a 21-5 regular-season record in 2010. That team reached the NCAA East Region final and was ranked as high as No. 13 nationally.

As a player, Martin starred at St. John’s University, batting .303 with 32 doubles and 91 RBI over four seasons. A two-time BIG EAST Academic All-Star, he helped the Red Storm to a 136-91 record, two NCAA Tournament appearances (2004-05), and a BIG EAST regular-season title in 2005. He was named Third Team All-BIG EAST as a senior and earned his degree in education.