Bio

Jason Martinez joined the Simpson football coaching staff in January 2023. Martinez will serve as the defensive coordinator under first-year head coach Reed Hoskins. 

Martinez spent the last 12 years as the defensive coordinator and strength coach for Grinnell College. The Pioneers ranked 21st in Division III in turnovers gained in 2013 and boasted the nation's leading tackler, Ryan Slager, in 2016 and 2017. 

Prior to his time at Grinnell, Martinez spent two seasons as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at Illinois College. He also coached the defensive line at Bemidji State University as a graduate assistant from 2006-08. The Beavers, who ranked top-five in the nation in run defense both seasons Martinez was on the coaching staff, won a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championship and earned a berth in the 2006 Mineral Water Bowl. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Albion College, as an assistant defensive line and special teams coach. 

A two-sport athlete competing in football and track, Martinez graduated from Albion with a bachelor's degree in psychology. He later earned a master's degree in sports management from California University of Pennsylvania and holds a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) certification from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.