Tee Martin agrees to join Pruitt’s staff

KNOXVILLE – Jeremy Pruitt made a splashy hire last week when he plucked Jim Chaney from a rival school to become Tennessee‘s offensive coordinator. Pruitt could be positioning himself for another staff move that will turn heads.

Tee Martin has agreed to join Pruitt’s staff as an assistant coach, ESPN reported early Tuesday morning, citing sources. ESPN reported that Martin’s role on the staff is being finalized.

It’s a noteworthy development given that Tennessee does not have any openings on its coaching staff, though the coaching carousel remains in full swing. The report would seem to indicate that Pruitt expects to fill an offensive staff departure.

Martin has spent most of his career coaching wide receivers, the position David Johnson holds on Pruitt’s staff.

It was 20 years ago this month that Martin quarterbacked Tennessee to a win over Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl to secure a national championship for the Vols.

Martin was an assistant at Southern California from 2012-18, serving as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach the past three seasons. He was not retained after the Trojans went 5-7 in 2018.

Martin, 40, also has served as an assistant for New Mexico and Kentucky.

In 2017, Martin was named one of 15 semifinalists for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant.

USC ranked in the top 20 nationally in total offense in Martin’s first two seasons as the offensive coordinator. Sam Darnold was the Trojans’ quarterback. USC transitioned from Darnold to freshman JT Daniels this season and slipped to 84th in total offense.

Martin was named the 247Sports recruiter of the year in 2016, when USC’S recruiting class ranked 10th nationally in the 247Sports composite.

Trojans coach Clay Helton overhauled his coaching staff after the season.