Roanoke College

Esteban Martinez enters his 23rd season with the Roanoke College women's soccer program in 2026, serving as the top assistant coach under head coach Phil Benne. Bringing nearly three decades of combined teaching and coaching expertise to the Maroons, Martinez's responsibilities primarily include recruiting, practice planning and scouting. 

Roanoke College (2004–Present)
During his tenure, Roanoke has achieved excellent conference and national consistency:

• Perennial Contenders: Reached the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Tournament in every single season of his tenure.
• Championship Appearances: Coached the Maroons to two ODAC Championship game appearances.
• NCAA Tournament Berths: Earned a pair of berths to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship Tournament.
• International Experience: Assisted Coach Benne on seven international preseason trips, most recently traveling with the team to Costa Rica in the summer of 2025 to lead student-athletes in high-level competition, outdoor adventures, and community service.

Collegiate & High School Coaching Career
Martinez has been a staple of the Virginia soccer landscape since 2001, spanning both the collegiate and high school ranks:

• Hollins University: Spent three years as the head women's soccer coach for the fellow ODAC member prior to joining Roanoke in 2004.
• Cave Spring High School: Served as the varsity girls head coach until 2009, compiling a 95-33-5 record over six seasons.
• High School Accolades: Named District Coach of the Year (2005) after leading the Knights to the Class AA State Semifinals. Named Region III Coach of the Year (2007) after winning the Region III Championship and setting a school record with 19 wins.
• All-Star Selection: Selected by the Virginia High School League Coaches Association (VHSLCA) to coach the West Squad in the 2008 Senior All-Star game in Hampton, VA.
• Elite Camps & Youth Clubs: Spent nearly two decades of working elite summer camps at Virginia Tech, Penn State, High Point, UNCG and Radford University. He has also coached locally for the area youth clubs.

Education & Coaching Credentials
A native of Ellenville, New York, Martinez graduated from Ellenville High School before moving to Virginia to play collegiately.

• Education: Graduate of Bridgewater College, where he played three seasons on the men's soccer team and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in Special Education. Studied abroad in Barcelona for a semester. 
• Coaching Diplomas: Holds the United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA) Advanced National and National Diplomas, as well as the NSCAA Regional Goalkeeper Diploma.
• Licensing: Holds a USSF-D coaching license.

Teaching Career
Parallel to his soccer career, Martinez has been a dedicated educator since 1998. He is currently in his 29th year of teaching, spending the last 17 years locally at Andrew Lewis Middle School in Salem, VA. His daughter, Iliana, is a sophomore at Roanoke College.