A job opening came sooner than Joe Martinez expected.

So does the season opener.

The two-time All-CIF linebacker was named as the football coach at Hueneme High on Tuesday, announced athletic director Juan Flores.

Martinez becomes the program's fifth head coach in the last decade. He succeeds Steve Ruedaflores, who resigned after one season.

"I want to come in and restore consistency with the program and rally the community," said Martinez.

Since its 2003 Pacific View League co-championship, Hueneme's last four football teams combined for an 8-32 record.

There were 24 applicants for the position.

Martinez, 28, did not have as much experience as some of the other candidates. He had served as a coach for eight-man programs at Ventura County Christian and Cornerstone Christian.

"His work ethic and humility for the job really grabbed me," said Flores. "Going from a program that has 20 players to one that has 140 is a big move.

"Joe is willing to learn and work hard to earn the respect of other coaches. Everything that he has done in his life, he has set goals and accomplished them."

Becoming a head coach had been a long-term goal for Martinez.

"It happened a lot sooner than I expected," Martinez said. "With the help of the Hueneme administration, I thought that I could do the job."

What Martinez doesn't have is much time.

Because of the lateness of his hiring, Hueneme did not have a chance to go through spring practice. That leaves the summer and a short time in August to prepare for the 2008 season opener.

"Running a football team can be a daunting task when you cut down the time to prepare," said Martinez. "The attitude of our players will make my job easier. The sense of urgency that they have is a pleasant surprise."

The prime objective over the summer will be physical conditioning.

"I want them in playing shape by the fall," he said. "We will prepare them to compete. We'll still go to passing tournaments; I want them exposed to that experience."

Martinez sees no problem with the transition from 8- to 11-man football.

"For me, it was more difficult adjusting to the 8-man football," said Martinez.

While his background lies with defense, Martinez will not assume the role of defensive coordinator.

"I see myself as being an orchestrator," said Martinez. "I will surround myself with outstanding coaches. I want to be able to support them."

Football wasn't Martinez's only sport.

He was a three-time Channel League wrestling champion and was the 215-pound runner-up at the 1998 Division I Individual Finals. At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Martinez was a three-time starter for the college's football program.

Martinez is close to completing his master's degree at Cal Lutheran.