Martinez taking over as Jaguars men's soccer head coach

A coach with a track record of success from NJCAA to NCAA Division I is set to lead the University of Houston-Victoria men's soccer program.

On Wednesday, Aug. 6, Director of Athletics Ashley Walyuchow announced Vince Martinez as the second-ever head coach of the Jaguars men's soccer team. Martinez takes over for former head coach Adrian Rigby, who departed the program this offseason after 15 years at the helm. Martinez is the first coach to oversee only the men's program and will be the first head coach as the university transitions to Texas A&M University-Victoria.

Most recently, Martinez was the head coach for the University of St. Francis (Ill.) in the NAIA during the 2023 season. The Livermore, California, native also held head coaching positions at University of the Incarnate Word and Las Positas College (JUCO).

"I'm excited to have Vince join our team," Walyuchow said. "He has a track record of success at every level he's coached at. His experience makes him the right candidate to build on the success our program has had. We're looking forward to the direction the program will go under his leadership."

Martinez is no stranger to Texas after spending 10 years at Incarnate Word in San Antonio, including seven as the Cardinals' head coach.

While at UIW, Martinez helped the Cardinals become a top Division II program and helped their men's soccer team transition from Division II to Division I in 2013. The Cardinals reached the NCAA Division II South Central Regional tournament in each of Martinez's first two seasons in 2011 and 2012, including winning the Lone Star Conference in 2012 and reaching the Elite 8. He was named the LSC Coach of the Year in 2012.

His teams at UIW climbed into the Top 10 of the national rankings in his first two seasons, as well.

Martinez played collegiately at Cal State East Bay and Fresno State, recording two Second Team All-Big West honors as well as being named First Team in 1990 during his playing days with Fresno State. He helped the Bulldogs to two Big West championships.

Following his collegiate career, Martinez played six years professionally in the United States International Soccer League (USISL) with stints with Hershey Wildcats, Nashville Metros, Monterrey Bay Jaguars and California Central Valley Hydra.

He holds a United States Soccer Federation Class A License.

"I'm excited to join this program," Martinez said. "I'm grateful to Ashley Walyuchow and the administration for the opportunity. This program has a strong history and I'm looking forward to getting to build on that."

The Jaguars open the season at home on Saturday, Aug. 30, against Oklahoma City University.