Alex Martin has been appointed Linfield University men's tennis coach on an interim basis, director of athletics Dr. Garry Killgore announced recently. He replaces Ben Belletto, who led the program for seven seasons.
 
"I want to thank Dr. Killgore, and the rest of the search committee for trusting me with the opportunity to lead this program, which has had such an impact on me and my life," said Martin. "I'm also so appreciative of the work that Ella Riddle-Maliska did in her stead as the Interim Director of Tennis to get things in order going into the bulk of our season."
 
Martin has worked with the current team during the spring and fall of 2022 as a volunteer men's assistant coach.
 
He spent three years serving as assistant men's and women's tennis coach at Linfield (2005-07), helping lead the women's squad to consecutive NWC titles and a berth in the NCAA regional championships in 2007. He also spent three seasons as assistant men's coach at George Fox, helping that program climb from eighth place in 2010 to second place in 2012.
 
Additionally, Martin was Junior Development Director at the West Hills Racquet & Fitness Club in Beaverton for five years. 
 
A four-year tennis letterwinner and 2003 Linfield graduate, Martin was a three-time first team all-Northwest Conference selection. He captained the Wildcats to consecutive NWC championships in 2002 and 2003.
 
His coaching experience includes four years as head boys tennis coach at McMinnville High School (2013-16), earning GVC Coach of the Year recognition in 2015 and leading the Grizzlies to the 2016 district championship.
 
More recently, he has been assistant the Woodburn High School girls program (2019-21), where he also is a fulltime health teacher and chair for the Health Education department. He His 12-year teaching career includes stops at Duniway Middle School, McMinnville High School, Yamhill-Carlton Elementary and Woodburn High School.
 
He has been involved in coaching at the USTA/PNW level, serving as national team coach (2008-15 and 2022)
 
A native of Everett, Washington, and a graduate of Cascade High School, Martin went on to complete a bachelor's degree at Linfield in physical education in 2003. He has spent a number of years teaching and coaching in the McMinnville and Newberg School districts.
 
Martin inherits a program that returns six players from last season. The Wildcats went 3-12 in dual matches, including 1-7 in the Northwest Conference.
 
"I have seen and experienced the highest levels that this program is capable of, and in my time with this team since last season, I know that the foundation is there for the program to experience those types of levels again in the near future," said Martin. "I've been continuously impressed throughout the fall season with the level of resilience and cohesiveness of this group. I really believe that this is a special group of young men who are ready to show the Northwest Conference what they're capable of, and I can't wait to see how they grow and develop throughout the season."
 
Alex and his wife Tamara live in Newberg with their son, Winston.