Men's soccer assistant accepts coaching job at University of Charleston

After three years with the men's soccer team, Marshall assistant coach Marty Martinez is getting what he wants - his own team.

"It has always been in my plans to have a program of my own," Martinez said, "and now I have a chance to do that." Martinez recently accepted the head coaching job at the University of Charleston.

Martinez, who still resides in Huntington and will be assisting Marshall for a few more weeks before leaving his post, said he is eager to begin.

"UC's program was as high as third in the nation last year, and they made it to the final four of the NCAA tournament," Martinez said of the Division II school.

"There is definitely a success that needs to be continued there."

Martinez replaces Peter Curtis, who left the University of Charleston to become the head coach at Cleveland State University, a Division I program.

"I will definitely have my hands full," he said, "but the first thing I need to do is create a comfortable atmosphere for my players."

Martinez said he will miss Marshall.

"It was my first college coaching job," Martinez said of working with the Thundering Herd, which finished 9-11-1 this past season. "The experience and contacts I made have helped my career."

Martinez said he also will miss Coach Bob Gray.

"We are good friends," he said. "We have a good working and non-working relationship."

Martinez said the two often play golf together and Gray has used him as a babysitter for his children before.

He added, "Coach Gray has a lot of connections with soccer programs inside and outside the United States, and he has helped me in every aspect of my coaching career."

The respect is mutual. Gray said Martinez "has worked hard, he has been very loyal and he has done all the extras as an assistant coach."

Gray added, "Primarily, a good friend will be the first thing I miss about Marty. He has been a soulmate in my office for a while now.

"Deep down, his heart and soul will always be with our program and we know that."

Gray said he expects Martinez to do well at the University of Charleston.

"It makes us feel good that our program can turn assistant coaches into head coaches for other programs," Gray said.