Despite mostly mediocrity over the past 13 seasons, the Miami football program is still a sought-after destination. Several coaches have expressed interest in joining the Hurricanes staff this offseason.
Mark Richt seems content on hiring coaches he knows and trusts. Longtime College Football Head Coach Tommy Tuberville expressed an interest in becoming the Miami Defensive Coordinator when Manny Diaz was hired by Temple last week. The Miami Football team promoted from within for Diaz’s successor.
After announcing they would conduct a national search to find a new Defensive Coordinator the Miami Football Program promoted Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda and Outside Linebackers Coach Jonathan Patke to Co-Defensive Coordinators.
News came out on Friday night that former USC Offensive Coordinator and Tennessee National Championship quarterback Tee Martin is interested in being Miami’s Offensive Coordinator. Miami currently has an Offensive Coordinator. Thomas Brown has been UM’s OC under Richt for all three years at Miami.
Miami’s ACC Coastal Division rival Georgia Tech and Louisville who is in the ACC Atlantic Division are both reportedly interested in Martin as well. Miami hosts both schools at Hard Rock Stadium next season.
The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson as he frequently does broke the story that Martin was interested. Jackson stated that with Diaz taking the job at Temple and the Hurricanes hiring within that there is money available for the Hurricanes to hire Martin.
The question is whether or not Martin is a good fit. USC’s offense averaged 6.5 points per game less this season than they did in 2017. The Trojans offense lost star quarterback Sam Darnold, running back Ronald Jones and wide receiver Deontay Burnett to the NFL after last season. The precipitous offensive fall cost Martin his job.
Martin spent seven years at USC. He was the wide receivers coach in 2012-13, added Passing Game Coordinator in 2014-15 and full OC the last three years. With Darnold and Cody Kessler, the Offense was prolific. The Trojans struggled with Freshman J.T. Daniels at QB this season.
Martin had the near impossible task of replacing Peyton Manning at quarterback at Tennessee. All he did was lead the Volunteers to a 13-0 season and a victory in the first BCS National Championship game over Florida State the after Manning graduated.
SLATER SCOOP: Multiple sources tell me Tee Martin wants to be the Canes offensive coordinator. Recently fired by USC, Martin has offers from Georgia Tech and Louisville, which he would be willing to turn down. pic.twitter.com/JeNUmbCChr
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) December 29, 2018
South Florida Sports Talk show host Andy Slater reported that Martin is trying to wait out Georgia Tech and Louisville in order to become Miami’s Offensive Coordinator. It’s a risky move for Martin waiting for a job that is not even open.
Martin could be overplaying his hand. He could always to chose to sit out the 2019 season and work in media. His alma mater reportedly is close to hiring Oklahoma State Offensive Coordinator Mike Yulich. Ohio State is also interested in Yulich for their vacant OC job according to GOPokes.Com.
If Miami does choose to hire a new Offensive Coordinator and either reassign or fire Brown there is not much time left to reshuffle the Hurricanes Coaching staff. With Mark Richt, it’s always difficult to get a read on what he will do. At this point, it would be surprising to see Richt or the Miami football program make any major changes.