Tee Martin
Quick Bio: Although not a head coach, Tee Martin has been a name Vol fans have spoken about in terms of coaching for years. Martin was Tennessee’s quarterback when they won the 1998 National Championship, and he’s found success as an offensive coordinator at USC the last couple seasons.
Pros: There’s the obvious “orange blood” connection here, and that would excited a lot of Tennessee fans. Martin played in the SEC, and he’s coached there too, serving time as an assistant with Kentucky from 2010-11. His USC offense this season knows how to rack up yards and points.
Cons/Questions: Martin has never been a head coach, and Vol fans may not want their next head coach to be someone without that experience.
Bobby Petrino
Quick Bio: Bobby Petrino has bounced around a few different programs, but he’s found success everywhere he’s been. Petrino has guided some explosive offenses and has developed some well-known quarterbacks. He’s coached in the SEC as well, and he led Arkansas to some of their best seasons in football in modern times.
Pros: Petrino has SEC experience and is famous for his powerful offenses. His Arkansas and Louisville teams have been some of the more dynamic offenses over the last decade. And thanks to all the issues around Louisville right now, his buyout could be significantly decreased should he leave early.
Cons/Questions: From a character standpoint, Petrino is one of the more questionable coaches on this list. Issues with a mistress and motorcycle accident led to his firing, and he’s always been a somewhat controversial figure on and off the field. Not only that, but his Louisville team this year has severely underperformed despite having the electric Lamar Jackson at quarterback.
