JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mike Martin, Florida State’s longtime baseball coach and the winningest coach in college baseball history, died on Thursday. Martin was 79.
Martin had battled Lewy body dementia for three years and had been in hospice care. Martin last coached the Seminoles in 2019, leading Florida State to its 40th consecutive NCAA appearance, his 40th straight winning season and 17th College World Series berth. With a 2,029-736-4 career record, all at Florida State, Martin is the winningest coach in any college sport.
Recommended Videos
Martin is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Carol, children Mary Beth, Melanie and Mike Martin Jr., and grandchildren, Hannah Elizabeth, Lexi, Thomas Joseph and Tyler.
Today we mourn with the Martin family the passing of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and baseball coach.
— FSU Baseball (@FSUBaseball) February 1, 2024
Rest in Peace, 11 pic.twitter.com/5cWLT3hcAj
Affectionately known by his jersey number — 11 — Martin is in a slew of halls of fame, including the Florida Sports and the American Baseball Coaches Association. Martin replaced Dick Howser as Florida State’s head coach in 1979 after Howser took a job with the Yankees. Martin led the Seminoles to the College World Series for the first time in 1980.
The Seminoles won 19 conference titles under Martin and earned National Coach of the Year honors in 2012 and ‘19. The field at Florida State is named in his honor. The school will hold a celebration of life for the public to attend at a later date.