Anthoni Martin was hired as a men's and women's soccer assistant coach prior to the 2023 season.
In his first year coaching, Martin helped UC Merced women's soccer put together their best season in program history that included a program-record 16 wins and 14 shutouts. The successful season also saw UC Merced win their first ever California Pacific Conference Tournament Championship and NAIA National Championship Opening Round game. The men's squad also made a postseason run, advancing to the Cal Pac Tournament Championship match and winning a NAIA National Championship Opening Round game.
Martin is a former UC Merced men’s soccer standout from 2020-2022 and was named a NAIA Honorable Mention All-American his senior year. Martin was also named the Cal Pac Defensive Player of the Year and was selected to the United Soccer Coaches NAIA All-West Region Team a year ago. Just prior to graduation, Martin earned the decorated Bobcat Award which is given annually to the student athlete that best represents what it means to be a Bobcat.
Martin appeared in 28 games with UC Merced and helped the Bobcats win back-to-back championships in 2020 & 2021. The Tulare, Calif., native scored two goals and tallied seven assists in his career as an outside back.
He has most recently played for Academica SC in USL League Two.
His experience as an outside back proved vital in coaching women’s soccer outside backs Yesenia Tijerina and Baleigh Zamudio to postseason recognition in his first year on the job, including Tijerina earning All-Cal Pac First Team honors. Tijerina also finished second on the Bobcats with five goals.
Martin graduated from UC Merced in 2023 with a degree in public health.
