Sep 5, 2015 at 3:31p ET
Sep 5, 2015 at 3:31p ET
Tennesee was without its defensive backs coach on Saturday.
Tennessee suspended its defensive backs coach Willie Martinez for the season opener against Bowling Green after an alleged secondary NCAA recruiting violation.
The school issued the following statement on the decision to suspend Martinez:
With Martinez missed the game against Bowling Green. Defensive quality control coach Stephen Smith was assigned Martinez's coaching duties for the opener.
The Volunteers' defensive backfield has already lost two projected starters - senior safety LaDarrell McNeil and sophomore corner Rashaan Gaulden - to season-ending injuries in fall camp and face a Bowling Green offense returning 10 offensive starters from 2014.