Tee Martin is a Tennessee Volunteer through and through. He
brought something back to his school that even the great Peyton Manning
couldn't — a national championship.
Martin's new boss isn't quite as beloved by the Tennessee faithful, including
Martin at one time.
When Lane Kiffin abruptly left Rocky Top for what he called his "dream
job" at USC, Martin was one of many to go public with his displeasure.
He even wrote a scathing article criticizing Kiffin's move.
So when the time came for Martin to apply for the vacant wide receivers coach
position at USC, he and Kiffin had some things to iron out. Or so he thought.
"I actually didn't even know about it. He brought it up (in the
interview)," Kiffin said. "He said something and I joked with him
about it."
Martin explained why he was upset.
"I'm a passionate alumnus, and at that time I felt emotional about what
happened," Martin said. "During that time, I even said that I can't
fault him for the decision he made. It was just unfortunate timing but that's
all behind us now."
Kiffin agrees.
"He explained it and if you really go back and re-read it, I don't think
it was very negative," the head coach said. "I think you have to
understand it's going to do him no benefit to say good things about somebody
who just left there."
USC was an attractive destination for Martin, so he wanted to make sure he
discussed the topic just in case the position would be offered to him. The lure
of Troy was something he could see himself leaving his job at Kentucky as wide
receivers coach and passing game coordinator for.
If the Trojans job was offered he was going to accept it along with the flack
that was sure to come from Tennessee fans who would be angry to see him joining
forces with Kiffin.
"It was probably 60/40 in terms of positive/negative (from Tennessee
fans)," Martin says, "but the 60 that were positive were really,
really positive. I think the rest of them kind of understand the decision that
was made, but they still have a certain way that they feel but I don't feel
that way. I'm working for a great coach right now."
By the time the two hit the field for spring practice at Southern Cal, all was
forgiven. Martin, in a situation he knew he couldn't pass up, is excited about
the chance to work with the Trojans young wide receivers.
"You come into a situation with a group of young guys that played when
they were young," Martin said. "Some experienced a little bit more
than others, but I was really impressed by the retention of what they learned
in the past. For George (Farmer) and for Marqise (Lee), it was their first
spring practice and a good opportunity to kind of slow things down and work on
technique."
Lee enjoyed getting out on the field, working with Martin.
"He's teaching us a lot of new things that I got to get used to," Lee
said. "It's a little bit more active and a little bit more technique, and
I just got to get that down."
During his playing days at Tennessee, Martin won a national title as a player — the
same goal the current Trojans are trying to reach, which means when he speaks, they
will listen.
"I think he brings instant credibility with the guys," Kiffin said. "I
think they like him. I think he's very easy to get along with. I think that the
guys really like being around him and they feel themselves getting better
already."
