Elias Martinez

Hometown: San Benito, Texas


High School: San Benito High


College: Pan American University


Best known for: Softball Coach

Martinez is best known for taking three different teams to the state softball tournament. Named Coach of the Year 11 times, he is currently the fourth-winningest coach in Texas with 536 victories.

“Coach Erasmo “Mo” Molina was a great influence in my life,” Martinez said. “Coach Molina was my high school football coach at San Benito. I saw the love and passion that he had for his athletes and sports and how much work he put into it. I saw the relationship he had with all his players. Besides being our coach, he was also a father figure to a lot of us.”

He guided the Greyhounds to the State Softball Tournament in Austin in 2013, 2015, and 2023. Twice, his teams were ranked as high as No. 3 in Texas. His teams won at least 20 games for 20 consecutive seasons and surpassed 30 wins five times. 

“As being a coach, you don't know how you're affecting young players' lives until years down the road, and you hope that you have set a positive example,” he said.