USC Football: Tee Martin named Broyles Award semifinalist for 2017

USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin was named one of 15 semifinalists for the 2017 Broyles Award, which is given to the nations top assistant coach.

He may not be the favorite figure for USC fans in 2017, but offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Tee Martin is being honored by the Broyles Foundation as one of the nation’s most impressive assistant coaches.

Martin was named a finalist for the Broyles Award on Tuesday, joining 15 others in the race to be named the nation’s top assistant.

USC’s offense is averaging 34.8 points per game and ranks 15th nationally in S&P+, an opponent-adjusted advanced stat metric. However, the Trojans have struggled at times in 2017 to find their groove, ranking 115th in turnovers.

That lack of an elite offensive output has created plenty of frustration with Martin. Many doubt he has gotten enough out of the Trojans special talent on offense including quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Ronald Jones II.

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

Martin is also responsible for USC’s wide receivers, who have been one of the Trojans most improved units. Deontay Burnett was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff award and currently leads the conference with 966 receiving yards. The resurgence of Steven Mitchell, the emergence of Tyler Vaughns and the budding talent of Michael Pittman have been bright spots on the season as well.

Whether or not Martin deserves to be among the Broyles Award semifinalists could come down to USC’s offensive output in the Pac-12 title game. The Trojans will either face Stanford or Washington State in Santa Clara on Dec. 1.

Last time they met, the Trojan offense was at it’s most impressive against Stanford. However, severe injuries across the lineup, especially on the offensive line, but a damper on USC against Washington State, when they suffered one of their two losses on the season.

TRENDING: Michael Pittman named Pac-12 Player of the Week

The five finalists for the 2017 Broyles Award will be announced on Dec. 5. USC has only placed one finalist for the award since its inception in 1996. Norm Chow won the award in 2002.