Hamilton's letter to UT fans on hiring of Kiffin

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New UT head coach, Lane Kiffin, talks about his experience and growing up learning the game. Watch »

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New UT head coach, Lane Kiffin, talks about the plan for the offense. Watch »

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New UT head coach, Lane Kiffin, talks about his experience recruiting and what his plan is for UT recruitment. Watch »

Mike Hamilton's letter sent to fans on the hiring of football coach Lane Kiffin.

Dear Friends,

In early November we announced that Coach Fulmer would step down following the 2008 season. Phillip’s contributions and his legacy at Tennessee will live on for generations and it is important that we remember our history while we look to the future of the Tennessee football program.

Over the past few weeks, we have been on the road meeting with prospective coaches and talking to some of football’s most influential and knowledgeable players and coaches about the future of the Tennessee football program. Throughout this process, I have been continually reminded how great it is to be a Tennessee Vol by the outpouring of support and enthusiasm surrounding our football program.

The history of Tennessee football is made up of great coaches and players alike that have shaped what we know today and determining who would take the place among coaches like General Robert Neyland and Phillip Fulmer was not a burden I took lightly.

Tennessee Athletics is a family made up of student-athletes, managers and trainers, coaches, administrators and you our fans, all working together for a common goal - to be the best. It’s a great honor for me to introduce the 21st head football coach at the University of Tennessee, Lane Kiffin.

Lane was the youngest head coach in modern NFL history, spending the past two years with the Oakland Raiders. Prior to that, he was the offensive coordinator at Southern California under head coach Pete Carroll, where he demonstrated strong offensive prowess as an assistant from 2001-04. He was promoted to passing game coordinator in 2004 and served as offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator for 2005 and 2006. USC led the nation in offense in 2005 and in both of his years as recruiting coordinator had the best recruiting classes in the nation. Those efforts helped the Trojans to back-to-back national college football championships and produced two Heisman Trophy winners - Matt Leinart in 2004 and Reggie Bush in 2005.

I hope you will help me welcome Lane, his wife Layla and their two daughters: Landry (3) and Pressley (2) to UT.

Expect to Win!

Mike Hamilton

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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