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Tee Martin turns down Tennessee coaching position, will remain at USC per report

Former Tennessee starting quarterback declines new Tennessee head coach Butch Jones' offer to join the Volunteers.

Kirby Lee-US PRESSWIRE

USC Trojans receivers coach Tee Martin has turned down an offer to coach the Tennessee Volunteers under newly appointed head coach Butch Jones, according to ESPN. The former Volunteer quarterback told VolsQuest.com that despite visiting with Jones, who pursued Martin to fill the same position that he holds at USC, Martin has decided to remain with the Trojans.

That will reportedly get him a bigger paycheck at USC. ESPN reports a contract for Tennessee would have earned Martin around $400,000 a year.

And the news is especially painful for Tennessee fans considering Martin's connections to the Volunteers. He was the quarterback that led Tennessee to a 1998 national championship, and he returns to work under head coach Lane Kiffin, who left the Volunteers program under a NCAA probation when he headed to Southern Cal.

At USC, Martin's return is certainly good news. The Trojans lost two receivers coaches -- John Morton and Ted Gilmore -- in the past two years before Martin replaced Gilmore.