New offensive coordinator Tee Martin will call plays for USC beginning in 2016

New USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin will make his play-calling debut in the 2016 opener against Alabama.

Martin and Coach Clay Helton said Saturday that Helton would call plays in the Dec. 30 Holiday Bowl against Wisconsin to avoid a disruption with one game left in the season.

Martin was promoted from receivers coach to offensive coordinator on Friday.

“We didn’t want to make a drastic change in the middle of preparation and be doing something different than we’ve been doing all season,” Martin said after the Trojans’ first bowl practice.

Martin, 37, will begin coordinator duties during spring workouts.

“I’m grateful and honored to have it and look forward to getting started,” he said.

Martin, who will continue to coach receivers, has been on USC’s staff since 2012. The former Tennessee and NFL quarterback coached previously at Kentucky, New Mexico and Morehouse College.

He said he was prepared for and excited about coordinating the offense and calling plays.

“You always, as an assistant, are looking for the next opportunity to move up,” he said. “You don’t know when it’s going to be.”

Helton said he spoke with “several quality coaches” before deciding to promote Martin, whom he described as “the best choice for us, and really the only choice.”

“I was looking for a dynamic coach that could lead an offense and believed in what I believe in -- a guy that could be on the same page,” Helton said.

“In my opinion, he’s the next big thing in college football.”

Quarterback Cody Kessler has received tips from Martin during practices and has listened to him on the coaches’ headset during games. Martin is ready for the new role, he said.

“He does a great job of understanding defenses, understanding coverages and really knowing what to call,” Kessler said.

Helton discussed with Martin the idea of possibly becoming the coordinator after Helton took over as interim coach. The discussions grew more serious when Helton was hired as head coach after the Trojans defeated UCLA in the regular-season finale.

Martin said “it was nothing definite until a few days ago.”

Kessler will be gone next season, but Martin does not foresee major change in the offensive approach.

“We’re going to have a new quarterback -- which we’ll get down to that and find out who that will be -- but from a system standpoint you don’t want to drastically change much,” he said.

Helton still must fill vacancies for a defensive coordinator and defensive line, defensive backs and offensive line coaches. He indicated that he would not rush the process with potential candidates.

“A lot of them are still in bowl games, a lot of them are still in the NFL playing games, maybe some into the playoffs,” he said, adding, “It’s about bringing the best people in here.”

For now, Helton is looking forward to calling plays for the Trojans a final time.

“I’m going to have a blast with it,” he said, laughing. “I’m hoping it’s the last one I call in my life.”