ATLANTA — Georgia State proudly announces the appointment of Jorge Martinez as the head coach of the Georgia State court volleyball program, Georgia State Director of Athletics Charlie Cobb announced on Tuesday afternoon.
"We enthusiastically welcome Jorge and his family to GSU," Cobb said. "He is an energetic, player-focused coach with valuable experience that will allow our volleyball program to flourish. He is excited to be a Panther, and our staff is eager to work with him, his coaches and our student-athletes."
Martinez comes to GSU after six seasons at Arkansas Little Rock, where he served four years as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach in his final two seasons with the Trojans.
His profound volleyball background includes coaching local high school teams, as well as contributions to the Central Arkansas Volleyball Association and the Little Rock Juniors Volleyball Club.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the Georgia State volleyball program," head coach Jorge Martinez said. "I can't wait to get to work with this incredible team and the Atlanta community. From the moment I visited, it felt like home; the people, the energy and the vision all aligned."
During the 2025 season with the Trojans, Martinez led Little Rock to an 11-7 conference record for the second straight season. The team earned multiple postseason honors, including one All-OVC First Team selection, two All-OVC Second Team honorees, and the OVC Defensive Player of the Year award. Little Rock also finished sixth in the nation in both digs per set and total digs, while ranking 14th nationally in team attacks per set.
In 2024, Martinez guided the program to an upward trajectory, matching the best start in program history (5-0) after beating Rutgers for just the program's second win over a Power 5 school in the last 10 seasons and first since 2021 over the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Trojans advanced to the Ohio Valley Conference tournament for the second straight season after missing the tournament during their inaugural OVC campaign.
Under his leadership, the Trojans earned national recognition in several statistical categories, finishing 1st in the nation in total digs (2,281), 6th in digs per set, and 7th in total attacks. The team also ranked 12th in the nation in total attacks per set, and 51st in total assists (1,479).
Individual athletes thrived under his guidance, with players ranking 21st nationally for digs per set, 65th for attacks per set, and 146th in total blocks.
Before joining Little Rock, Martinez served as the head volleyball coach at Mount St. Mary's Academy in Little Rock, guiding the team to a strong season and a spot in the 6A state tournament. His efforts were honored with the All-Star Coach of the Year award.
Martinez is also a staff coach for the Gold Medal Squared Volleyball program, where he has worked since 2018, leading clinics and collaborating with top coaches across the country. His influence extended through his role as Director of Player Development at Little Rock Juniors Volleyball Club, where he's been instrumental since 2017.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Martinez is fluent in both English and Spanish. He competed in the Puerto Rico Volleyball Federation and collegiate volleyball at the University of Puerto Rico.
He holds a bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico and a master's degree in Spanish from the University of Central Arkansas. He is actively pursuing a master's in clinical Mental Health Counseling to support the mental wellness of athletes.
Outside of coaching, Martinez is a talented opera singer, having performed across the U.S., Canada, and South America.
"Thank you to Charlie Cobb, Patrick Hatcher and Jess Summey for believing in me," Martinez said. "Thank you to my family, mentors, colleagues and student-athletes who have shaped me as both a coach and a person. I'm ready to get started!"
