Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings: 'Idiots' think Tennessee should fire Cuonzo Martin

Tennessee coach Cuonzo Martin has a 56-39 record in two-plus seasons at the school. (Scott Iskowitz/Getty Images)

Vanderbilt men's basketball coach Kevin Stallings says those who want Tennessee to fire Cuonzo Martin are "idiots."

Martin is in his third season at Tennessee and has failed to take the team to the NCAA tournament during that time. This season, the Volunteers are 17-11 overall and 8-7 in the Southeastern Conference.

“I think for people to speculate on his job is absurd,” Stallings said Thursday, via the Tennesseean. "Hopefully, the powers that be over at Tennessee will tune those idiots out and give (Martin) the kind of time he deserves to do the job he needs to do.”

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If Martin is fired by Tennessee this season, it would cost the school $1.56 million to buy out his contract.

“He’s in his third year and that is ridiculous. He’s doing a good job with their team. I think they’re getting ready to make the NCAA Tournament," Stallings said. "It takes some time when you go in there and you have to change some things and change the way things are done.”