Tee Martin officially turns down Tennessee, will return to USC

Over Monday, former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin visited his alma mater to interview for an assistant's job on new head coach Butch Jones' staff. But after serious contemplation, it appears as though Martin will remain at USC, where he just finished his first season as the Trojans' wide receiver's coach.

On Tuesday night, Martin released a statement, which read in part:

"I was very honored to be offered a position on Coach Jones' Tennessee staff," Martin said. "I truly believe he will do an outstanding job with the Vols program. My decision to remain at USC was the toughest I have ever had to make because Tennessee is such a special place to me."

For Martin, it was a bittersweet decision, as he is a local hero in Knoxville after leading Tennessee to the first ever BCS National Championship in 1998. That year he replaced the graduated Peyton Manning at quarterback, and went 13-0 as a starter, including a victory over Florida to claim the title.

Since retiring from the NFL, Martin has been an assistant coach at New Mexico, Kentucky and most recently at USC.

He just completed his first season as a wide receiver's coach on Lane Kiffin's staff.