Another Ohio Valley Conference football team has filled its head coach vacancy.

The University of Tennessee-Martin will hold a press conference today to formally announce the hiring of University of Maine assistant coach Matt Griffin.

Griffin has been an assistant coach at Maine for the past four years. Before going to Maine, Griffin was the offensive coordinator at Martin from 1997-98.

Martin Athletic Director Phil Dane said Griffin’s prior experience with the Skyhawks (2-10, 0-6) was a major factor in the decision to hire him.

Dane said Martin received 54 applicants for the head coach position and narrowed the choice down to four finalists, all with connections to Martin.

Griffin was the fourth and final applicant to be interviewed for the job early last week.

“He helped rebuild the program at Maine,” Dane said. “He brings a pass-oriented offense.”

Maine was defeated in the second round of the I-AA tournament this year by Georgia Southern after finishing the regular season with a 10-2 record and 7-2 in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Griffin, 34, will be replacing interim head coach Johnny Jernigan, 32, who took the reigns of the Skyhawks midway through the season after former head coach Sam McCorkle was dismissed. McCorkle was 5-26 in his two and a half seasons with the Skyhawks.

Jernigan also applied for the head coach position. He will remain with the team as defensive line and strength and conditioning coach.

“I think (Griffin) is a a pretty good guy,” Jernigan said. “He’s the guy for the job. I think he’s what this program needs right now.”

Jernigan also is optimistic that he will have the opportunity to work as a head coach again.

“I’m a young guy,” Jernigan said. “I feel my opportunity will come one day.”

Griffin will join a football program that has never really gotten off the ground. In its history, Martin has an 8-67 record.