Tennessee fans are learning once again what it’s like to be a team on the rise in the Southeastern Conference.

Closing the season on a six-game winning streak, including an incredible comeback win in a bowl game, does a lot for confidence and momentum heading into a new year. Even Jeremy Pruitt is jumping on the hype train, as he boldly claimed this would be the “Decade of the Vols” following Tennessee’s win over Indiana in the Gator Bowl.

That’s the good part of winning.

The bad? Other programs are going to come after your assistants, as we’ve seen with running backs coach David Johnson has already left Tennessee for Florida State while Jimmy Hyams of WNML radio in Knoxville is reporting that Lane Kiffin offered Tee Martin an opportunity to join the Ole Miss program as an offensive coordinator. Martin and Kiffin worked together previously at USC.

According to Hyams, however, Martin plans on staying on Rocky Top.

If that is Martin’s final decision, the former Volunteer quarterback is likely doing so strictly out of loyalty to his school as Tee is currently serving as receiver’s coach and passing game coordinator in Knoxville. Being promoted to offensive coordinator would be a step up for Martin, however, based on Hyams’ report, it’s unclear when this offer was made because Ole Miss hired former UCF assistant Jeff Lebby to be Kiffin’s offensive coordinator several days ago.

Either way, Tennessee should be thankful that Martin is staying for another season. In addition to Tennessee’s receivers having a big season last fall, Martin is an elite recruiter.

Given that Tennessee’s receiving corps will need to be reworked next season due to graduation of Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway, keeping Martin on staff to coach up the program’s next generation of starting receivers could prove to be invaluable to Jeremy Pruitt.