Oregon State Beavers have a pair of Tigers on wrestling coaching staff as Pendleton hires assistant Isaiah Martinez

The two have a lot in common, both winning state wrestling titles at Lemoore High School and national championships at their respective universities.

"I'm so excited to be working with Coach Pendleton and the OSU team," Martinez told the Oregon State Beavers sports website. "I believe Oregon State has all the makings to be a special place for wrestling. I can't wait to get to work and help guys achieve their goals."

Pendleton’s other hire, Nate Engel, comes from Stanford, where he was instrumental in the growth of the Cardinal program and was a highly efficient recruiter.

Martinez, who graduated from Illinois in 2018 as a two-time National Champion, had an illustrious career on the mat, which included four-straight Big Ten titles, as well as a 116-3 overall record. He has been working with the Fighting Illini program since the completion of his collegiate career as a volunteer assistant coach.

Martinez narrowly missed winning four straight California CIF wrestling championships, missing out on only his freshman year. He won state titles in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

“Isaiah is a unique hire because we both come from a blue-collar town in the Central Valley of California,” said Pendleton, a state champ and member of the Lemoore High School Hall of Fame.

“I previously had the distinction of being the best wrestler from Lemoore until he showed up. As a two-time NCAA champion and four-time All American, Isaiah has been a force on the world level and will be a great guide for our athletes to follow. Personally, I’ve loved seeking his development as a scrappy young kid in the youth program to the man he is today.”