The first name in second reads.
'Rocky Top' a little too rocky?
Lane Kiffin already has a record without playing a game
Lane Kiffin, you just got fired from the craziest franchise in the NFL, what are you going to do next?
"Listen to "Rocky Top" all night long after we beat Florida."
Probably not the response that I would have gone with. Kiffin, who was hired to revive a struggling Volunteer program, has not quite endeared himself to the rest of the Southeastern Conference, let alone the college football world. Tony Barnhart of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, wrote an article comparing this brash new head man to another familiar name in the SEC, Steve Spurrier. Which got me thinking, is what he doing bad for the University of Tennessee?
"Listen to "Rocky Top" all night long after we beat Florida."
Probably not the response that I would have gone with. Kiffin, who was hired to revive a struggling Volunteer program, has not quite endeared himself to the rest of the Southeastern Conference, let alone the college football world. Tony Barnhart of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, wrote an article comparing this brash new head man to another familiar name in the SEC, Steve Spurrier. Which got me thinking, is what he doing bad for the University of Tennessee?
The Vols, who are coming off their first non-bowl season since I've been alive, are hurting for some national love and that is just what Kiffin is doing. Let's take a look at what all Kiffin has done to get the Vols back into the spotlight.
Initial Press Conference
Kiffin immediately took control of the program, vowing to make sure that the Vols return to dominance. How are they going to do that, he was asked. "By beating Florida, I can't wait to hear Rocky Top being played all night long when we are beating Florida." OK, I don't see the harm in getting your team in the news for wanting to beat the National Champions.
Recruiting Violation?
On Feb 2nd -- National Singing Day or Christmas Part Deux as its known around my household -- Kiffin was addressing a group of Volunteer fans at a rally to talk about the recent bumper crop of players that he had brought in. When Kiffin dropped this bomb shell, "I love the fact that Urban had to cheat and still didn't get him." The "him" is Nu'Keese Richardson, a WR prospect. The only problem was that Meyer didn't cheat, calling the prospect was fine. He was reprimanded by the SEC and issued an apology. Do I think he was calling Florida cheaters? No. Do I see anything wrong with what he said to a group of supporters trying to fire them up and bragging about getting one recruit over another? Not at all, This is just what Tennessee needs, some media attention, and I must say, it's working!
Don't forget about the gas pump incident. Kiffin, who at the time was in a recruiting battle with South Carolina and coach Steve Spurrier, told recruit Alshon Jeffrey that "he would end up pumping gas for the rest of his life like all the other players who go to South Carolina." Hmm, while not the way I would have gone about it, Kiffin definitely knows what he needs to succeed, players!
Sports Illustrated gaffe
Kiffin, in a feature article from Sports Illustrated, talked about bringing in a new mentality to UT and trying to get everyone on board. He mentioned that he has had to fire people because they are not moving as fast as he his. "I had to fire the guy who came to pick me up at the airport because he was 25 minutes late." He also goes on to talk about the 3 people that he can remember that he has run-off. The only problem, Tennessee is a state-run university, therefore he has no authority to fire anyone, and has not fired a single person. OK, this one might be a little over the top, but hey, as he said in the SI article, "That's 25 minutes that Nick Saban and Urban Meyer can be out recruiting over me."
Kiffin, is going to do great things at Tennessee; He is going to turn them into a National Title contender overnight and the rest of the college football world better look out! What? You mean, he has never coached a college team before? You mean, he wasn't very good with the Raiders? So, your telling me that he hasn't even coached a down at Tennessee yet? Huh, good call!
Is Kiffin too much for UT? Has the media been "out to get him?" Do you think that he will be successful at Tennessee? Let's go to the Post Game!
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