TAMPA, Fla. - Following his last meeting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Monte Kiffin unofficially became Tennessee's defensive coordinator and, subsequently, the most prominent accessory of UT's great Lane Kiffin experiment.
For the elder Kiffin, the X's and O's will wait. Now, the legendary NFL coach must quickly morph into what could be an understandably rusty recruiter. After all, Kiffin hasn't recruited a college prospect in more than a quarter century.
No matter, said Bucs' defensive end Kevin Carter, who even went so far as to suggest that the legendary Kiffin might be a better fit in college - recruiting and all - thanks to his enthusiasm.
"He might," Carter said. "The kind of 'rah rah' type attitude, the college enthusiasm that we (the Bucs) play with and that we have, it's uncommon in the NFL and he's kept it here for a long time.
"Why wouldn't I think he could be a better fit in college? Might be. But I know he'll be a great coach and have people playing great football wherever he's coaching."
Great football means great players, which means great recruiting. It's an absolute must for any coach in the talent-rich SEC and a challenge at a school like UT that doesn't have the same amount of talent as its nearby rivals.
Remember, Kiffin has recruited before. He was the defensive coordinator at Nebraska and Arkansas before his last college position and one head coaching stint, at N.C. State in 1980-82.
But that was long before recruiting rankings or text messaging.
For the record, Kiffin, 68, says he receives text messages but never returns them. That will soon change.
I can almost imagine the conversation now:
Lane Kiffin: Monte, we love the Tampa Two but how about the T9 texting?
<I>Monte Kiffin: Son, this Blackberry just isn't me. And stop calling me Monte.</I>
It doesn't take an ardent recruiting fan to know that recruiting has changed A LOT since Monte Kiffin was a college coach.
Far too many high school prospects are far too high maintenance.
How can a coach with 33 years of experience play salesman to a player with practically no experience?
Answer: That same coach has been managing the best egos money buys in the NFL.
Kiffin seems the affable, enthusiastic type that can overcome most any attitude - bad, indifferent or other.
It wasn't that long ago that Gaines Adams was a sought-after prospect, who eventually signed with Clemson. Now a second-year Buccaneer, Adams has no doubt Kiffin can recruit players 50 years his junior.
"Football is football," Adams said. "It doesn't matter if it's pee wee or the NFL. If you know the game, you'll be successful and that's what Coach Kiff knows."
Once Kiffin turns in rental cars and frequent flights for a playbook and a whistle, there is one new-coach challenge he shouldn't have to face, recruiting his players to buy into his system.
That would be a challenge for some up-and-comer but not a been-there-done-that coach.
The challenge won't lie in how players respond to Kiffin but how he'll respond to them.
Compared to the players Kiffin has coached, he'll face an incredible lack of experience at UT, meaning he'll have to adjust his standards or risk alienating his players with too high expectations.
Of the Bucs' 11 defensive starters Sunday, eight were completing their fourth NFL season, three had logged more than a decade in the league.
On Kiffin's Super Bowl championship defense of 2002, the Bucs led the NFL in total defense thanks to an experienced group that boasted eight starters with four or more years in the NFL.
Star linebacker Derrick Brooks has been there throughout Tampa's turnaround.
Brooks, 35, is an 11-time Pro Bowler, completed his 14th NFL season and started his 224th consecutive NFL game Sunday.
UT's most recognized player, sophomore safety Eric Berry has started 26 games - in college.
Kiffin brings more than enough gravitas for Berry and company to listen immediately and intently. Kiffin won't have to recruit them. His resume can handle that all its own.
As it should for most any prospect in 2009, 2010 and beyond.
Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 79
sirshanksalot writes:
1st...
I wanted to see how stupid it feels to say that...and it feels VERY STUPID.
volfan1967 writes:
FINALLY AN ARTICLE FROM HOOKER THAT MAKES SENSE.... GO VOLS AND WELCOME MONTE.....
ThaiVolFan writes:
Hope he can draw some of the biggest and best Def. Tackles and Line Backers in for the remainder of this recruiting season. His success and reputation should really be a boost. Hope it shows up in the rest of this years recruiting!
DennisVols writes:
His resume alone will bring a lot of interest from highly touted recruits who are inspired to play in the NFL.
Word on ESPN is Bama's DC could be going elsewhere following the Sugar Bowl.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Gator go to bed...
JohnnyVol writes:
"Compared to the players Kiffin has coached, he'll face an incredible lack of experience at UT, meaning he'll have to adjust his standards or risk alienating his players with too high expectations."
It is interesting to me to see the recommendations and instructions writers and unknown posters give hall of fame coaches. If the instructions CMK is being given -- by reporters who have never coached -- is worth taking...don't you think he has probably already thought of it? I'm pretty sure I have less than nothing to counsel CMK where coaching is concerned.
Sorry...but I cannot help but snicker when reporters and unknown posters give world class coaches instructions on how to coach...
cainclifton23 writes:
Isn't it interesting that a gators fan is on a vol website?
gnm53108 writes:
Good post.
jsm67vol writes:
If you don't know gatorzz, then you haven't been around very long. His posts are very objective and he doesn't come on here and talk like he worships the ground gators walk on, that would be DCFlorida.
Caspian writes:
You *know* you enjoyed it. And pretending that it felt stupid was a very unsmart thing to do.
JohnsonCity_George writes:
John A. has hired nothing but “genus” at the KNS since he began his stint. He lost Jimmie to the radio and now we all suffer.
JohnsonCity_George writes:
"genius" that is
Vol_N_Texas writes:
In response to sirshanksalot:
"1st...
I wanted to see how stupid it feels to say that...and it feels VERY STUPID."
Good Post!
Never made the "1st" on here and really don't care. I agree, it's stupid.
Go Vols
kwvolsfan writes:
CMK needs to find him an able assistent to help him with all that texting. Got a buddy who is constintly asking me to help with text problems, I tell him stop at any mall in America find some 17 - 20 year old female and ask them.
I don't text either....but I know (as does the coach) where to get the best resources from......shoot he's at UT and I know there's a bunch of ladies up there who know how to text.....
woodwr#217203 writes:
Anyone except his son would prefer Chavis, as DC.
jturne44 writes:
so right on...I chuckled at the text part too. What is the world coming to?!?!
blitzshoot writes:
Thanks Vicky for your post.
blitzshoot writes:
Then why look, read, and post?
Silly.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Phil, go get a real job.
txvolsfan writes:
Now it all makes since!!!
outsider writes:
a lot of hope in a D/C that be in the pros for a lot of years.
tripper writes:
Looks like Darren Perry and "O" are nailed down. Should be an announcement soon.
gnm53108 writes:
I'm in a wait and see mode right now.I dont think I can procolaim great yet,but I do admit these hires are generating alot of excitement.
Cant wait till we get to see the new product on the field.
Now that Tommy is taking ashley's post,how many days TJ?
tnbigg writes:
AreyouKiffinme: IP Address...
http://www.centralalabamapride.org/
yeavols#228407 writes:
ATTENTION:
If you all would ignore AREYOUKIFFINME's posts, he would most likely go away. Myself, I no longer reply to them. He is only here to post to get a rise out of all of you. He really has nothing substantial to say as all his posts are just insults. He's probably a recluse on the verge of a psychosis. Just hit your ignore button.
yeavols#228407 writes:
TnBIGG...You give AreyouKiffinMe too much credit. Those PRIDE organizations are a little more productive than AreYouKiffinMe. I was thinking more along the lines of this:
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k30...
sirshanksalot writes:
Agreed on it not being bad to be first...I should have handed the ball to the ref? What are you talking about? Being "1st" on a post and putting nothing down except "1st" as most do; that is the correct response to be considered as "been there before yesterday"? How many times have you been "1st" and provided us with the LAME "1st" response? I can assure you that if KNS held a poll that asked: "Is posting 1st stupid? Yes or No. (AND I WISH THEY WOULD) What do you think the answer would be? For those that would vote "No" I would suggest www.disney.com as a better site to read.
tripper writes:
Working the numbers out with "O" but from what I'm hearing Perry and "O" should be announced soon. You and DC had it going last night, yo had some good posts. DC seems to think they will keep Gonzales but I'm not so sure. Give him an OC title and a little coin and I think we could get him. That would sting for awhile.
utmichael20#546617 writes:
ROFLMAO!!!
Triton1 writes:
I've been the first poster many times, but never needed to say first, I knew it was stupid. I wish more of you would figure that out.
tnbigg writes:
After looking at that link you posted...I have to agree with you 100%! Good post! At first I thought he intended to use the name AyeyouStiffinme with respect to my link...but it could be that it has practical application to your link as well. I now agree with your perspective!
suPEARLman writes:
Same.
yeavols#228407 writes:
^5 Tnbigg...That's the spirit. I know it's annoying though. If you ever catch up to his real name, just use this site and see just where he fits in:
http://www.criminalwatch.com/deadbeat...
tripper writes:
On another note, I would like to see a column about how much we will owe our dearly departed staff next year. Outside of Fulmer does anyone have any numbers. Do we get a $150,000 credit since Chavis got a raise?
yeavols#228407 writes:
Tripper...I believe there was some information on that a while back, but not sure unless it's researched. In a nutshell, If the staff is able to find other jobs, the University doesn't owe them. It's probably not a concern because everyone who left or is leaving, probably got on a higher pay scale. The credit could be cool though.
smokyredbone writes:
I'm with Kiff, Chavis can take his mustang package on down to the bayou!!!!!!
smokyredbone writes:
His defense finished 9th in the NFL,you moron!!! They fell off after learning he was leaving!!!! Worry about your mildcats fool!!!!!!! GO VOLS!!!!!!
BigDave1964 writes:
Isn't it interesting a Gator fan can read and write?
BIGEJ writes:
GatorZZ, AreyouKillinme, hireslanders; some of the hired bloggers by the KNS sportsless writers; the writers know they can go to their manager and say, "look at the number of bloggers, am I not good enough to stay just one more day? The more others respond to these trying to create controversy, thus additional blogger keep these writers in a paycheck. Want them to leave? Respond to those other than the KNS bloggers..... Go Vols
Down_The_Field writes:
Isn't it interesting when someone makes a complement about your gators their BRILLIANT, and when they don't they're a fool?
tnbigg writes:
Hmmmm...very interesting thought...
tnbigg writes:
Every Vol who is a Vol...ignore a Vol who isn't a Vol...
Reworded from scene in Trinity is Stll My Name - "Every monk who is a monk...punch a monk who isn't a monk!"
jobrando#216494 writes:
Wouldn't it be nice if KNS showed the number of posters. Unless it is a real big story I doubt if it is more than twenty differant people posting. People are not going to wade through the post because of the people you mentioned.
TNfaninMS writes:
I think i hurt that Gator fans feelings on another article, so i dont think we have to worry about him until he gets home from collecting can on the highway. I think his name is 99
rbull23#216019 writes:
I hope his defense at UT is better than what his Bucs showed in their last three games. His Bucs were drug up and down the field most of the day. Time will tell if he can still coach on the college level.
volroadwarrior writes:
Wanted!!!! Anger management expert to help fit throwing, hand wringing pathetic soul.
CT_VOL writes:
What exactly is hooker trying to say here? That Monte is a good coach? Yes, I think we know that.
Frank
JBVol writes:
Your an idiot, did you watch any of the Bucs games this year? I doubt it. Early in the season, they held 4 of the best running backs in the league to under 100 yds! They had some key injuries late Nov. and they got gashed last four games. I don't believe Monte was out of position or missed any of those tackles!!
Get ready for another qtr century of domination, KittyKat!
GR82BAVOL writes:
Monte is going to be fine. I used to love talking to my Grandfathers when I was a teen. I just don't see this age thing as some sort of disadvantage. If anything, his experiences should be an advantage.
I think the kids will find him very interesting.
mgdchvol writes:
I suspect TJ is posting for several folks on this site!
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