Report: Colts Request to Interview Ravens Tee Martin for OC
The Indianapolis Colts made their first big decision of the offseason this week by hiring former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen as their next head coach.
The Colts introduced Steichen to the fan base on Tuesday as the 37-year-old head coach sold his vision for the team. To implement that vision, Steichen now sets his sights on building a coaching staff that will help him accomplish what he wants to do. He is wasting no time in beginning that process.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Colts are requesting to interview Baltimore Ravens wide receivers coach Tee Martin for their vacant offensive coordinator position. Martin joins Jacksonville Jaguars passing game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter as the first two candidates for the offensive coordinator role.
Martin has been the wide receivers coach for the Ravens since 2021. While he does not have much coaching experience in the NFL, Martin has spent 13 years coaching in the college ranks. Before joining the Ravens, Martin was the assistant head coach and wide receivers coach at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee.
Martin played quarterback for the Volunteers for two seasons, following Colts legend Peyton Manning at Rocky Top. Martin led the Vols to a victory in the first-ever BCS National Championship game in 1998. He also enjoyed a brief NFL career, spending time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and then Oakland Raiders.
As a coach, Martin has been a part of an offensive staff his entire career. Most of his coaching tenure has been as a position coach with quarterbacks or wide receivers. Martin also has experience working with multiple coaching staffs, spending time at New Mexico (QB coach), Kentucky (WR coach), and USC (OC and WR coach).
In his time at USC, Martin crossed paths with Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Martin coached Pittman from his freshman to junior seasons, racking in 70 catches for 1,244 yards and eight touchdowns. A reunion between the two could mean an increase in production for the Colts WR1.
The Colts requesting an interview with Martin may come as a surprise with his lack of coaching experience in the NFL and no prior connection to Steichen. However, Martin has a calm demeanor as a coach and has received rave reviews for his teaching ability. The Colts could see that as an advantage with a young offense, particularly with a rookie quarterback coming in.
Martin will not be the last candidate the Colts and Steichen interview for their offensive coordinator position. Although the Colts were one of the final teams to name a new head coach, it is expected that defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, and other coaches on these units will be retained. This makes hiring a staff much easier for the Colts when two out of the three units already have their coaches in place.
However, look for the Colts to work quickly as they assemble a full coaching staff under Steichen. There is much work to be done on West 56th Street.
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