USC Football: Tee Martin named among hottest assistant coaches in country

USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin is being mentioned among the assistant coaches who could be next in line for a head coaching job.

Not one, but two major publications named USC’s Tee Martin as an up-and-coming assistant coach who could land a head coaching job in the near future.

On Thursday, Yahoo! Sports’ Pete Thamel and Sports Illustrated’s Bruce Feldman released their listings of the hottest coaching candidates for the coming carousel. Martin made the cut on both.

That is no great surprise since Martin has been a rising star in the profession for a number of years.

Recently USC head coach Clay Helton called him “one of the most complete coaches I’ve ever been around” and his continued success with the Trojans should have more than a few suitors calling in the future.

Here’s what Yahoo! had to say about Martin:

"13. Tee Martin, USC offensive coordinator – With Sam Darnold at the forefront of the Heisman race and a favorite to be a top-10 NFL pick, Martin is positioned to run his own program sometime soon. He has a playing pedigree at Tennessee with a national championship, a great recruiting reputation and should be at the helm of one of college football’s most successful offenses in 2017."

Sports Illustrated offered a similar message, but tossed quarterbacks coach Tyson Helton into the mix as well:

"11. Tee Martin, USC offensive coordinator: The former NFL QB who led Tennessee to a national title two decades ago has played a key role in the Trojans’ return to the Top 10. Martin has long been regarded as one of the better recruiters in college football and has developed a bunch of playmakers in his stints at Kentucky and USC. If the Trojans have as good a year as many are expecting, both Martin and QB coach Tyson Helton are likely to get some consideration for head coaching jobs this winter."

The consideration may not have to wait too long for Martin. He could emerge as a dark horse candidate to replace Hugh Freeze at Ole Miss –assuming USC’s offense lives up to expectations in 2017.

Still, the most intriguing prospect for Martin will always be Tennessee, where he won a national championship as a quarterback.

More from Reign of Troy

• Markese Stepp enters transfer portal intending to leave USC football
• USC football’s Alijah Vera-Tucker declares for NFL Draft
• USC football adds Xavion Alford as transfer from Texas
• USC Podcast: RoT Radio Ep. 396 on the Football Season’s Fallout
• Talanoa Hufanga named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, USC football with five first-teamers

Vols’ head coach Butch Jones is entering his fifth year at the program and he’s produced two consecutive nine-win seasons. However, Tennessee has not been competitive in the relatively weak SEC East, conceding the division title to Florida in 2016 and 2015.

Moreover, the program has a new athletic director who may look to install his own man if Jones doesn’t take a step forward in 2017.

If Tennessee underachieves and AD John Currie decides to make a move, Martin would be an obvious option to consider.

TRENDING STORY: Predicting USC’s wins and losses in 2017

USC fans, of course, will hope that Martin sticks around awhile longer, but rumors of his potential departure should only get stronger after the coming season.