Kentucky Wildcats Football: Replacing Tee Martin

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Well, I had a post ready for today about 2013 recruiting, but the big news of today has shot that story in the head.  In case your head is buried in the sand, Kentucky has officially lost wide receivers coach, passing game coordinator and ace recruiter Tee Martin to Southern California.  While I understand how anyone would want to be closer to Lane Kiffin’s wife, this move does come out of the blue to most UK fans.  Rather than dwell on losing Tee, I decided to post on some options to replace him.

Craig Yeast  – Head Coach (Bryan Station HS)

Yeast is a UK legend and is currently in Lexington coaching high school players.  He played receiver at UK and in the NFL and has possibly the best personality of anyone ever born.  I really don’t think anyone could debate his ability to recruit despite the fact that he’s never really done it.  He’s intelligent, likeable, young, has coaching experience, is a UK guy, is a Kentuckian, and probably should be the top choice for the job.  HOWEVER, he may have found his calling as a high school coach and may be hesitant to leave a place where he can directly affect young people.  If someone could kill Craig Yeast’s conscience soon, I would appreciate it.

Mark Higgs – Running Charities (CEO)

I love Higgs and will continue to mention him every time UK has a coaching vacancy.  He’s got NFL experience and is from Owensboro.  He is a UK legend and a household name down in Miami.  He has contacts in several different areas of South Florida and has recently coached Miami Central High School.  If anyone can help UK recruit Florida, its Higgs.

Neil Brown – Texas Tech (Offensive Coordinator)

Leaving TTU to come to UK as a Wide Receivers coach would be a pretty big demotion.  If UK were hiring an offensive coordinator, I think Brown is a serious option.  Seeing as how Randy Sanders is still on staff, I think it’s safe to rule Brown out.

Jeff Brohm – UAB (Offensive coordinator)

Brohm was promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator today.  The only way I can see Kentucky getting him is if he were offered a more lucrative deal and a fancy title like ‘Passing Game Coordinator’  or co-offensive coordinator .  Now that Joining Kentucky’s staff would essentially be a demotion for Brohm, I don’t see it happening.

John L. Smith – Weber State (Head Coach)

Smith is the former head coach at Louisville and MichiganState.  Considering the number of former Cardinal coaches on Kentucky’s current staff, he is the logical choice.  He is now at his alma mater though and adding another former Louisville coach might get Joker tarred and feathered, so I would imagine this one is a reach on my part.

Gerard Parker – Marshall (Wide Receivers)

There may not be a more realistically solid option on Kentucky’s board than Gerad Parker.  As a former Cat, he knows the program inside and out.  He is a promising recruiter, coaches the position that needs filled and should be a relatively inexpensive option.  I do wonder if Joker might shy away from Parker so as to not completely dismantle the staff at Marshall after stealing away defensive backs coach Mike Cassity earlier this year.

Ron Zook – Illinois (Head Coach)

Zook was fired at the end of the season by Illinois.  It might be a little far fetched, but Adding Zook could be a possibility.  If you want to replace Tee Martin’s recruiting abilities, Zook might even be considered an upgrade.  He could be placed at Special Teams Coordinator, move Nord to Running backs coach, and Pardue to wide receivers.  It could work.  Do I expect this to happen?  Hell no.

Andre Woodson – Kentucky (Graduate Assistant)

Woodson is a well-known name amongst Kentucky fans and wouldn’t be a bad option to replace Martin.  He’s from Kentucky, played at Kentucky, and is currently coaching at Kentucky.  He has NFL experience and has the youth and energy to replace Tee.

Tommy Cook – Kentucky (Graduate Assistant)

Cook would be a decent fit for the job if not for his lack of experience.  He played receiver at Kentuckyand is a young, energetic option to fill the position.  Cook would also make the hiring process very smooth, due to him already being at UK.

Dontae Wright – North Alabama (Defensive Line)

Wright played his college ball at Miami of Ohio, but is fromLouisa,KY.  He spent time as a graduate assistant for Kentucky under coach Brooks and drew rave reviews from anyone around him.  While he might not be an ideal WIDE RECEIVERS coach, he’s young, charismatic and an up-and-comer.  Remember Tee was a quarterbacks coach before coming to UK. Kentucky could do MUCH worse than Wright and I believe he is fully capable of coahing the receivers.

Matt McCutchan –Licoln University (Offensive Line)

McCutchan was a graduate assistant with Wright and played at Kentucky as the team’s starting center from 2004-2006.  Again, he’s not necessarily a receivers coach, but he’s an option if other coaches are moved around.

Wesley McGriff – Ole Miss (Co-DC/DBs)

Why is McGriff on this list?  Because he is brought up every time UK needs a coach.  Do I see him joiningUK’s staff now or ever?  No.