While it has been an emotional few weeks for the Martin family, Mike Martin was pleased to hear Friday’s news.

Link Jarrett – a former starting shortstop and assistant at Florida State under the legendary Martin – has been hired as the Seminoles’ next head baseball coach.

“Link Jarrett is a great Seminole,” Martin, 78, told the Democrat.

“It’s very impressive what he accomplished at Notre Dame. Link is a sincere person and this will be a great homecoming for him and his family.”

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Link Jarrett returns home

Jarrett, 50, returns to his alma mater after three seasons at Notre Dame, where he was two-time national coach of the year and the ACC coach of the year, in 2021.

He also led the Irish to this year’s College World Series, the program’s third appearance in school history.

Jarrett is replacing Mike Martin, Jr., his former Seminole teammate and roommate who was fired earlier this month after three seasons.

Martin succeeded his father, the winningest coach in Division I baseball history who retired after the 2019 season following 40 years with the Seminoles.

"Having the opportunity to come home and lead this storied program is something I take great pride in," Jarrett said in a statement released by FSU.

"Our goals will be simple – to achieve on the field, in the classroom and embrace the FSU family and community. I know the expectations from our fans and we expect to compete for ACC and national championships."

'Like another coach on the field'

In coaching circles, Jarrett is known for his even-keel demeanor, leadership skills and reassuring voice. He has repeatedly said in interviews that his focus is always on player-development.

“There are two players that I recommended they stay in coaching – (Chicago Cubs manager) David Ross and Link Jarrett,” said Jeff Hogan, who coached the pair at Florida High.

“They were different from the time they were really young in terms that their understanding of the game was so advanced at such a young age. From the time Link stepped on the field in the ninth grade, he was like another coach on the field.

“At Notre Dame you always heard him talking about his players being better people than players. That’s him.”

Ross - five yeas younger than Jarrett - was the bullpen catcher of Jarrett's Florida High teams. He also recalled Jarrett's father volunteering and helping maintain the Seminoles' field.

"I am happy for him and his family - Link's back home where he belongs," Ross said. "Link has always been a baseball guy. I got to watch him work when I was the bullpen catcher on his team in high school. He has been excelling ever since."

Former FSU teammate and friend Jack Niles attended the CWS last week to support Jarrett. Niles believes Jarrett will be a perfect fit for the Seminoles.

Niles said some of his fondest memories with Jarrett as teammates - and roommates on FSU road games - were simple conversations about baseball and life.

“ Link is the extremely rare and unique leaders whose actions speak much louder than his words,” Niles said.

“His class, knowledge, commitment and dedication will never slump. Florida State just hit a grand slam.”

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Link Jarrett returns to Tallahassee as FSU's new baseball coach