José Martinez named as the first ever head women's wrestling coach in Point Park history

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Vice President of Athletics, Scott Swain announced on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, the hiring of José Martinez as the first ever head women's wrestling coach in Point Park Athletics' history.

"With starting such a new sport like women's wrestling we wanted someone who had great local knowledge of the sport as well as deep roots in Pennsylvania wrestling; we achieved both of those with our hire of Jose Martinez.  When we met Jose, we knew he had such great enthusiasm for starting our new women's wrestling program.  I know our future student-athletes will enjoy being coached by him." said Vice President of Athletics Scott Swain.   

José Martinez will be coming to Point Park from the North Hills Area School District which is about 20 minutes from Point Park's campus. Martinez has been the varsity wrestling coach since 2000 where he has earned 271 varsity wins while also picking up a USMC Coach of the Year honor. While at North Hills he has had 17 PIAA qualifiers and two state champions.

During his time at North Hills, Martinez was involved in starting the girl's wrestling program and has already had great success and a PIAA qualifier.

When asked about joining the Point Park community Martinez stated, "I'm excited to join Point Park University and the expanding athletic department." Martinez went on to state, "As the first women's wrestling coach at Point Park and in the Pittsburgh area, I am honored to be part of this groundbreaking movement."

Aside from over 20 years of coaching in the Pittsburgh area, Martinez is also a 1980 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he earned his BA in History. He also graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1983 with an M.Ed. in Counselor Education.

During his time at the University of Pittsburgh, he was a three-year starter for the Panthers. While wrestling for Pitt, he was a two-time EWL Runner-up as well as a two-time NCAA qualifier.

Martinez is a Pennsylvania local as he was born and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

José has been married to his wife Lynne for 41 years and together they have three grown children as well as four grandchildren.