Kentucky Wildcat Football: Tee Martin Reportedly Leaving for USC
by Alex Scutchfield on Feb 15, 2012 11:36 PM EST
in Kentucky Wildcats Football
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PrintMatt Barkley broke the news on his Twitter feed, and numerous outlets are now reporting that Tee Martin will leave the Kentucky Wildcats to coach Wide Receivers for the USC Trojans. It's hard to blame Coach Martin for this move. As much as I dislike Lane Kiffin and the Southern Cal program (keep in mind, I'm a UCLA grad), things are really popping there. Despite scholarships restrictions, the Trojans' bowl ban will be lifted in 2012 and they'll begin the season in the top five at the bare minimum. In Marqise Lee and Robert Woods, they have the best returning WR tandem on the country. This is to say nothing of Barkley, who looks like an 80s movie villain (Sweep the leg!) but plays like a Heisman Trophy candidate.
The life of a college football assistant is nomadic and coaches have to strike while the iron is hot. As an assistant, Martin's job at UK was no more secure than that of his boss. That has to be a factor.
All in all, this is a big blow for the football program. Martin was an ace recruiter, a hard worker and had a National Championship QB pedigree. Truth be told, I'm just glad this happened after signing day, in a lull in the recruiting cycle. I'm not sure where the Cats go from here. I'd personally like to see them concede form for substance and look for an expert at developing receivers. We shall see.
I wish Tee Martin the best.
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This hurts.
I have enormous respect for Tee and was really looking forward to seeing what next year would bring.
Hoping it’s all rumor and spec and that Tee stays in Lexington.
Proud member of the Big Blue Nation - Let's Go Cats!!!
by jords on Feb 16, 2012 12:55 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Time to call Craig Yeast (currently the hc at Bryan Station)
Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for the Yeast idea. My good friend (and hs classmate) John O’Hara was the first person I know to come up with what would be a great hire.
Tell John I like his thinking......
with Yeast’s career at UK and his NFL experience he can bring something to the table…..but I wonder if he would want to go back to being low man on the totem pole??
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Feb 16, 2012 6:43 AM EST up reply actions
From hs coach to SEC position coach
That’s a no-brainer unless he’s averse to recruiting, which is always a possibility.
My image of Brohm
Will always be him screaming at his brother on the sidelines at U of L. Not very becoming. But his is the name I keep hearing as well. I like the Yeast idea.
ALS
by Alex Scutchfield on Feb 16, 2012 9:37 AM EST up reply actions
So does anyone else think this might be a good thing...?
Dont get me wrong I thought very highly of Tee Martin when he was first brought on to the UK football staff. But after seeing the horrendous job our WR’s did this past season and even the season before (Randall C. exempt here) Ive been thinking there has been need for change in coaching at this position for some time. You can argue the recruiting angle and may have some valid points however, I feel we can get someone else in here to teach our guys to catch the damn football better. GL Tee hope you fair well on the west coast, guess we will see the impact of your departure based on how many balls the Trojans drop or routes they blow in 2012.
Tee was Joker's lead recruiter
This is a bad thing, and may spell the end of Joker.
Dayman, Fighter of the Nightman, Champion of the Sun
btcoop71
That’s a distinct possibility. There was never a chance that Tee Martin would stay at UK. In FB Kentucky is the graveyard of football coaches.
Since the Bear anyway.
I agree with much of this.
Our receiving corp has shown no progress under Tee; unless you count their ability to play quarterback against Tennessee.
War is God's way of teaching Americans geography. - Ambrose Bierce
Reaffirms FB's Pecking Order
And UK"s place on it.
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Well Kiffin Is Definitely A "Pecker"
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Tee Not UK's Best Recruiter
According to the guys at Bleed Blue Kentucky. They say losing Tee hurts more from a standpoint of having a young coach relating to today’s HS players, but that he wasn’t our best recruiter and the WR corps arguably regressed under his tutelage.
The strong do as they can and the weak suffer what they must.
Sometimes you are lucky and don't even know it.
Depending on who replaces Tee could actually move us forward. If Knowles turns out to be what some think he will, he will need a good receiving corp. Let’s get a true WR at this coaching position so we can open our game up offensively.
Making waves in a sea of blue.
When I saw the headline
my first mental image was of rats deserting a sinking ship; and no, it’s not because I think of Tee as a rat. I wish him luck and agree with you Alex, he has to “strike while the iron is hot”. I also agree it is not bad timingf for us – during the lull in the season and AFTER signing day.
As to a replacement, I don’t know enough about Yeast’s coaching ability, integrating into a college football staff and recruiting experience. I certainly don’t want to hire another coach with one of his major hiring points is his history with UK, we’ve done that.
War is God's way of teaching Americans geography. - Ambrose Bierce
There's chatter
that former UK receiver Gerad Parker, currently on the Marshall staff as a WR coach, is a potential candidate.
The strong do as they can and the weak suffer what they must.
Someone with college experience.....thats a plus.
Now I wonder if he has shown success, such as receivers that actually run the right routes, block and can catch the ball reliably.
War is God's way of teaching Americans geography. - Ambrose Bierce
Staff Just Got Older
The average age of the remaining 8 UK FB assistants is 48; that sounds quite old to me, and the loss of Tee Martin only contributes to that. Relating to recruits would seem to be a major asset, especially considering how little UK has to offer in the way of tradition, facilities and financial support. I’m not holding my breath but I hope for an infusion of youth, enthusiasm and hope.
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Abney
What is he up to these days?
i've been waiting for this moment all my life...but it's not quite right.
Tee
There is nothing new under the sun. Always been this way. Always will. I’m afraid our FB program will always be at or around this level. Mediocre. Wish I was wrong. Oh well.
He lives in Charleston
and works for a big-time Engineering and Design firm.
The strong do as they can and the weak suffer what they must.
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