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Belly to Belly with Coach Joey Martinez | Menlo Wrestling’s DII Rise & NCAA Transition

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Manage episode 502534059 series 1229232
Content provided by Airey Bros. Radio. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Airey Bros. Radio or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
In Episode 388 of Airey Bros Radio, we go belly to belly with Coach Joey Martinez, Head Men’s Wrestling Coach & Director of Wrestling at Menlo College.Coach Martinez has led the Oaks for 16 seasons and just guided the program through a historic year — their first as an NCAA Division II program, capturing the inaugural MPSF Championship, winning the program’s first NCAA national title, producing 3 individual NCAA champions, 10 All-Americans, and going undefeated at home.In this deep dive, we cover:
  • Coach Martinez’s origin story from athlete to coach and 16 years leading Menlo Wrestling
  • Transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II and the challenges of the two-year postseason ineligibility
  • Recruiting philosophy: California roots, national reach, and finding the right student-athlete fit
  • Building culture, character, and maturity in today’s athletes
  • The role of parents in recruiting and student-athlete development
  • Menlo’s tight-knit community, business school focus, and Bay Area opportunities for athletes
  • Alumni support, internships, and life beyond the mat
  • The importance of dual meet atmospheres, rivalries with SF State & Humboldt, and undefeated home crowds
If you’re a wrestling fan, recruit, parent, or coach, this episode shines a light on the “diamond in the rough” that is Menlo College Wrestling.
📲 Follow Menlo Wrestling on Instagram: @menlowrestling
🎧 Now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, hit the bell, and join the conversation in the live chat. Let’s go!🌟 Follow & Support Airey Bros Radio! 🌟
👉 Subscribe on YouTube: @aireybros 🎥🔥
👉 Follow us on Instagram: @aireybrosradio 📸💬
👉 Explore Rich’s Ultra Marathon Coaching: Black Sheep Endurance 🏃‍♂️
💪☕ Feeling Generous? Support the show and keep us caffeinated: Buy Me a Coffee 💖☕
Show Notes
0:00 – Intro: Airey Bros set the stage, spotlighting Menlo Wrestling & California wrestling tradition
1:31 – Coach Joey Martinez bio: 16 seasons at Menlo, Hall of Famer, NAIA All-American
3:26 – Origin story: Wrestling since age 9, UC Davis, Skyline College, Menlo journey
8:00 – Recruiting philosophy: Finding the right fit, parents’ role, business-focused academics
14:27 – Coaching parents & building family relationships in recruiting
17:15 – Transition from NAIA → NCAA Division II: challenges, postseason eligibility, MPSF title
20:54 – Retention & loyalty: Why Menlo athletes stayed during the transition
21:57 – Recruiting reach: California pipeline, Western states, national connections
23:25 – Character over technique: Evaluating athletes’ maturity, attitude, and resilience
28:35 – Coaching today’s athletes: maturity vs habits, instilling discipline & consistency
28:47 – Social media: policies, positives, and challenges in the wrestling room
31:03 – Dual meets & Menlo’s undefeated home crowd: spotlight matches & rivalries
33:27 – Rivalries: locking horns with SF State, Humboldt, and local California DII powers
34:41 – Alumni network, internships, business school focus, and career opportunities post-wrestling
37:22 – Bay Area location: Atherton campus, diverse student body, Menlo’s tight-knit community
40:55 – Preseason prep: weight room, conditioning, October start to official practices
42:02 – New class: 10 freshmen, 2 JUCO transfers, depth across weight classes
44:40 – Returning lineup: 1 NCAA champ, 6 All-Americans back, 5 redshirts ready
46:39 – Program goals during transition: winning, academics, & culture building
50:03 – NAIA vs NCAA competition: depth, quality, and recruiting differences
53:10 – Transition decision-making: President & AD leading the NCAA DII move
56:00 – NCWA Championship: surprises, quality competition, Puerto Rico team, Louisiana experience
58:46 – Crawfish & culture: Coach’s Louisiana takeaway
59:21 – Final message: Menlo is a “diamond in the rough” for recruits and families
1:01:18 – Closing gratitude & Menlo banner shoutout from Airey Bros
1:03:32 – Coffee talk: French press, dark roast, Bay Area coffee shops
1:04:38 – Daily rituals: early mornings, gratitude, and quiet time
1:06:42 – Chill music, reading habits, Apple TV “STIC” with Marc Maron
1:08:10 – Family life: kids in track & flag football, not wrestling
1:09:07 – Guilty pleasures: movies, food, cream puffs & coffee pairings
1:10:09 – Summer movie picks: F1 the Movie, Superman, Bad Guys 2, Freaky Tales
1:15:42 – Wrap-up: gratitude, next guests
  continue reading

440 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 502534059 series 1229232
Content provided by Airey Bros. Radio. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Airey Bros. Radio or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
In Episode 388 of Airey Bros Radio, we go belly to belly with Coach Joey Martinez, Head Men’s Wrestling Coach & Director of Wrestling at Menlo College.Coach Martinez has led the Oaks for 16 seasons and just guided the program through a historic year — their first as an NCAA Division II program, capturing the inaugural MPSF Championship, winning the program’s first NCAA national title, producing 3 individual NCAA champions, 10 All-Americans, and going undefeated at home.In this deep dive, we cover:
  • Coach Martinez’s origin story from athlete to coach and 16 years leading Menlo Wrestling
  • Transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II and the challenges of the two-year postseason ineligibility
  • Recruiting philosophy: California roots, national reach, and finding the right student-athlete fit
  • Building culture, character, and maturity in today’s athletes
  • The role of parents in recruiting and student-athlete development
  • Menlo’s tight-knit community, business school focus, and Bay Area opportunities for athletes
  • Alumni support, internships, and life beyond the mat
  • The importance of dual meet atmospheres, rivalries with SF State & Humboldt, and undefeated home crowds
If you’re a wrestling fan, recruit, parent, or coach, this episode shines a light on the “diamond in the rough” that is Menlo College Wrestling.
📲 Follow Menlo Wrestling on Instagram: @menlowrestling
🎧 Now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, hit the bell, and join the conversation in the live chat. Let’s go!🌟 Follow & Support Airey Bros Radio! 🌟
👉 Subscribe on YouTube: @aireybros 🎥🔥
👉 Follow us on Instagram: @aireybrosradio 📸💬
👉 Explore Rich’s Ultra Marathon Coaching: Black Sheep Endurance 🏃‍♂️
💪☕ Feeling Generous? Support the show and keep us caffeinated: Buy Me a Coffee 💖☕
Show Notes
0:00 – Intro: Airey Bros set the stage, spotlighting Menlo Wrestling & California wrestling tradition
1:31 – Coach Joey Martinez bio: 16 seasons at Menlo, Hall of Famer, NAIA All-American
3:26 – Origin story: Wrestling since age 9, UC Davis, Skyline College, Menlo journey
8:00 – Recruiting philosophy: Finding the right fit, parents’ role, business-focused academics
14:27 – Coaching parents & building family relationships in recruiting
17:15 – Transition from NAIA → NCAA Division II: challenges, postseason eligibility, MPSF title
20:54 – Retention & loyalty: Why Menlo athletes stayed during the transition
21:57 – Recruiting reach: California pipeline, Western states, national connections
23:25 – Character over technique: Evaluating athletes’ maturity, attitude, and resilience
28:35 – Coaching today’s athletes: maturity vs habits, instilling discipline & consistency
28:47 – Social media: policies, positives, and challenges in the wrestling room
31:03 – Dual meets & Menlo’s undefeated home crowd: spotlight matches & rivalries
33:27 – Rivalries: locking horns with SF State, Humboldt, and local California DII powers
34:41 – Alumni network, internships, business school focus, and career opportunities post-wrestling
37:22 – Bay Area location: Atherton campus, diverse student body, Menlo’s tight-knit community
40:55 – Preseason prep: weight room, conditioning, October start to official practices
42:02 – New class: 10 freshmen, 2 JUCO transfers, depth across weight classes
44:40 – Returning lineup: 1 NCAA champ, 6 All-Americans back, 5 redshirts ready
46:39 – Program goals during transition: winning, academics, & culture building
50:03 – NAIA vs NCAA competition: depth, quality, and recruiting differences
53:10 – Transition decision-making: President & AD leading the NCAA DII move
56:00 – NCWA Championship: surprises, quality competition, Puerto Rico team, Louisiana experience
58:46 – Crawfish & culture: Coach’s Louisiana takeaway
59:21 – Final message: Menlo is a “diamond in the rough” for recruits and families
1:01:18 – Closing gratitude & Menlo banner shoutout from Airey Bros
1:03:32 – Coffee talk: French press, dark roast, Bay Area coffee shops
1:04:38 – Daily rituals: early mornings, gratitude, and quiet time
1:06:42 – Chill music, reading habits, Apple TV “STIC” with Marc Maron
1:08:10 – Family life: kids in track & flag football, not wrestling
1:09:07 – Guilty pleasures: movies, food, cream puffs & coffee pairings
1:10:09 – Summer movie picks: F1 the Movie, Superman, Bad Guys 2, Freaky Tales
1:15:42 – Wrap-up: gratitude, next guests
  continue reading

440 episodes

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