Roanoke College Director of Athletics, Curtis Campbell has announced the hiring of Sam Martinez as the Head Men’s & Women’s Tennis Coach. Martinez joins the Maroons after serving as the Head Men’s & Women’s Tennis Coach at Randolph College for the past four seasons.
“We are excited to welcome Sam to the Roanoke College Athletic Department,” said Campbell. “He is very familiar with the ODAC as both a student and a coach and has a very impressive resume. We look forward to watching him take the tennis programs to new heights.”
With the WildCats, Martinez led the men’s team to their first ever ODAC semifinal appearances and national rankings in both 2025 and 2026. During the 2025 season, he also guided the women’s side to their first ODAC semifinal appearance since 2018. Martinez also helped the WildCats to individual success on both sides. He mentored Jacob Martin on the men’s side to a NCAA Singles Championships selection in 2026, making him the first non-Washington & Lee player since 1996 and the first player in program history to be invited. Martinez also guided Lena Kersten on the women’s side to ODAC Rookie of the Year and ITA Atlantic-South Region Rookie of the Year honors in 2024.
“I’m overjoyed to be joining one of the best institutions in the ODAC,” exclaimed Coach Martinez. “I want to thank Curtis for the privilege to lead the Roanoke College tennis programs. I also want to thank Jack [Fishwick] for helping me with this opportunity and I’m so happy he will be staying on the staff this upcoming year. Roanoke has always been one of the top schools in the ODAC athletically and academically, and I look forward to creating an environment in which our tennis programs will thrive. Jack’s done great things with the teams in the last few years, and I can’t wait to build on that. Let’s go Maroons!”
Prior to his time in the Hill City, Martinez spent six years at Washington & Lee where he helped the Generals to five ODAC title winning teams as an assistant coach. He also was at Virginia Wesleyan as the assistant tennis coach from 2015-16. He helped lead the men’s team to its first regular season ODAC conference title and undefeated 10-0 record in school history. Additionally, Martinez served as a graduate assistant at Pfeiffer University from 2014-2015 where the women’s team won its first Conference Carolinas title.
Martinez, a 2014 Bridgewater College graduate, was a successful player as well, ending his career as a four-time All-ODAC conference singles and doubles player. He also helped lead the Eagles to their first and second ODAC Finals appearances in school history.
