Tenn.-Martin picks Griffin as its new football coach

MARTIN, Tenn. -- Tennessee-Martin on Tuesday named Maine assistant Matt Griffin its head football coach.

Griffin was the offensive coordinator at Martin before going to Maine, where he was an assistant coach for four years.

"Matt's positive reputation from his previous experience at UT-Martin was a big factor in his selection," Martin athletic director Phil Dane said.

Dane also cited Griffin's role in developing Maine's football program. The Black Bears were 11-3 this year and lost to Georgia Southern in the second round of the Division I-AA playoffs.

Griffin replaces Sam McCorkle, who was fired for what Dane called "philosophical differences about how the Skyhawk football program should move forward."

The Skyhawks, also in Division I-AA, finished the season 2-10, and 0-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

While Griffin is familiar with West Tennessee, he spent much of his football career in New England. He played at the University of New Hampshire and was an assistant at Plymouth State and Northeastern.

UT-Martin plans to introduce Griffin as its new head coach at a Thursday news conference.