Gabriel Martinez is serving in his second year as Assistant Athletic Director and Associate Head Coach of the men’s basketball team. Prior to serving in his current position he was an assistant coach during the 2013/2014 season. Gabriel is an alumnus of Northern New Mexico College where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with honors. During his four years at Northern he was also a big part of the basketball program. During his years of playing he accomplished a lot on and off the court. He was a part of two of the most successful seasons in the school’s history. Gabriel is Northern all-time leading scorer, assist leader as well as one of three athletes named an NAIA All-American in the schools history. He received awards for both his successes on and off the court. His senior year at Northern the team was part of two conferences the Aii and PCAC. That year he was named the conference player of the year and 1st team all-conference in both the Aii and PCAC conferences. Other accomplishments include 2nd team all-conference his sophomore and junior seasons. Off the court accomplishments include being named an NAIA Academic All-American. Coach Martinez said, “Being a part of the NNMC basketball program as a coach and as a player has been a great experience. All the success I have accomplished personally on and off the court have been attributed to hard work and dedication. My faith in God has been my number one motivator. I place my life in his hands and trust in his plan for me. I feel like God has placed me in this position to be a positive role model to the athletes. I have the ability to teach the game of basketball, but more important than that I want to show our student athletes how to succeed in life.”
In his brief time away from the college after his graduation he was an assistant basketball coach at Sandia high school for two years and a full time basketball skills trainer. His cliental ranged from elementary, high school, college and professional basketball players. When coach Martinez isn’t involved in the game of basketball or the business side of athletics he is spending time with his wife and son. “Spending quality time with my family is truly a blessing. My beautiful wife and amazing son are extremely important to me. My priorities in life are as follows: God, Family, and Work.” Coach Martinez plans on being a part of many more great things here at Northern, both as a coach and assistant athletic director. “God willing I plan on being a coach for the rest of my career. Coaching is a true passion of mine and I plan on working hard day in and day out, always striving to be better.”
