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Lane Kiffin
Information on Lane Kiffin, the former Oakland Raiders coach, who has been tapped to replace UT football coach Phillip Fulmer.
Age: 33
2007 salary: $2 million
Highlights: Trojans averaged 49 points, 579 yards a game in 2005, Kiffin's first year as offensive coordinator - of course that was with Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, LenDale White and Dwayne Jarrett. Youngest head coach in NFL history when hired by Oakland at age 31.
Career record:5-15 (NFL)
Notable stops: Assistant - Fresno State (1997- 98), Southern Cal (2001-04); Offensive coordinator - Southern Cal (2005-06); Head coach - Oakland Raiders (2007-08).
Why He'd Work:Background in NFL helps in recruiting. USC finished with No. 1 rated recruiting class each of his three years as recruiting coordinator. Son of longtime NFL coach Monte Kiffin, whose connections could help put together a veteran staff.
Why He Wouldn't: Body of work could be too short to fully project how he might do in a return to college football. Winning percentage of .250 as a head coach isn't easy to sell, either, but the Raiders were better under his watch.
Quotable: "Players don't care about age. Players want to be coached. Great players want to get better, and that's what we're going to do." - Kiffin, according to the San Francisco Chronicle during a press conference introducing him as the Raiders' head coach
Kiffin on the Web:
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 45
1volsfan writes:
First
Vol23304 writes:
Big mistake
ajbake writes:
I'm going to pray real hard tonight that Kiffen will work out... after that, if I have time, I will pray for those in Mumbai.
writer#358485 writes:
Welcome Coach Kiffin. You're replacing a legend in a land where a lot of fans are demanding unrealistic miracles. Winning 75% of your games won't be good enough for the "give-it-to-me-now" types. It wasn't for your predecessor. A reasonable collection of fans will give you a chance to succeed. But if you don't do it quickly, the same group of mindless Baskerville Hounds will be after you in a year or two. Good luck, you're going to need it. Go Vols!
smokeysal22 writes:
I think this is a big mistake, he has proved nothing......absolutely mothing, why are we hiring this guy? He has no college head coaching experience, his NFL career was terrible. What attracted Hamilton to hire him? This is a much worse mistake than hiring Clawson for OC. I hope he is good and can turn this ship around but I feel that Tennessee is about to go through a dark time in football.
VOLorado writes:
Perot in 2012?
carters_dad writes:
Who is lane Kiffen, hopefully not a loser....
eutefan writes:
You take what you can get and run with it. All the big names laughed, apparently, when asked to come to UT. Our only recourse now is to get behind the new coach, get on board and see where the wagon goes.
tn_vol_67 writes:
GO BIG ORANGE
Couchdummy writes:
Good post. My biggest concern is not whether we went outside the UT family, but I thought Hamilton would at least get someone with a knowledge of the SEC and the region. Will we lose our sense of history with this hire? Probably not if Kiffin embraces the TN tradition. At any rate, I will try to be supporting to our new coach, as change was definitely needed.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Coach Jeff Fisher and Pete Carroll both give him high marks so thats good enough for me but those still hanging on to Fulmer will never be satisfied just like those that hung on to Majors.
eefor10c writes:
KNS do the math. He did better than win 25% of his games. He won 33%.
DingoVol writes:
Is it just me, or do 8 out of 10 negative posters have trouble with grammer and spelling? I've never made fun of typos, but over the last few days, I have noticed this trend. Get behind coach Kiffin and enjoy the ride. And if you are wondering if I am saying that those who wanted to keep Fulmer and are not in favor of Coach Kiffin are dumb.........yes, that is what I am saying.
Colliervol writes:
No rabid, Davis turning us down just tells me he didn't want to try it in the big leagues. He had his chance at AR and TN and turned it down.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
You sir, have pulled a gem from history that few will recall. I was young... but I was Perot!
Colliervol writes:
Of course, jo, I'm certain that we should listen to some of these lunch bucket dimwits who know more about football than Jeff Fisher and Pete Carroll, shouldn't we?
Who knows? Kiffin may flop or he may the greatest thing since sliced bread. But, in my view, this team can't look any worse than it did this year, especially on offense.
Well, maybe I should qualify that last statement. Did anybody see MS State yesterday and their 34 yards of TOTAL OFFENSE? That was as bad as it gets.
bubbanator21 writes:
He has the same amount of college head coaching experience as Fulmer. Bob Stoops had no HC experience before taking over Oklahoma. Give the man a chance. He hasn't coached a single practice, much less a game and you are already complaining.
TxVol writes:
Welcome to the family coach Kiffen! This could go down as the next great moment in VOL history. Definitely the best and most excitable of those mentioned as possibles! Hit the ground running! GO VOLS!!
Colliervol writes:
Bubba, some people would complain if we had resurrected Bear Bryant and put him on the sidelines.
TotalPackage1 writes:
It is ALL about bringing in talent and it is my belief that a staff that understands what it takes to get to the next level...NFL, will bring in the talent. Oklahoma smashed T-Tech in the mouth because they were better. Scheme didn't mean anything. Tennessee is going to see a pro-style, multi-set offense with a defense that is bigger, better, faster and smarter. He may not prove to be a great coach but I think the talent level is going to increase dramatically.
Volsrscary writes:
Let the coaching carousal begin.
Vol_Fan_37604 writes:
I think we should be checking our own grammar and spelling before criticizing others.
However, I have to agree that as true Vol fans we ALL need to get behind whomever Mr. Hamilton chooses as our next head coach. Coach Kiffin will be coming into a somewhat downtrodden group of players and fans. It will be a rebuilding period for all members of the Vol nation.
Give Coach Kiffin some time to prove himself as a head coach. We ALL also need to give him our support. Vol fans are known for their unmatched support in college football. (Heck, even in professional football.) It is time for all Vol fans to get back on their feet and reunite so that we can reignite this Vol legacy.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Can KNS get off this Monday and just report about Kiffin's staff and VOL recruiting. By the way I'm sure keeping my fingers crossed about Boyd and Oku. Boyd is another TEE if I ever saw one but looks bigger and faster. Oku just leaves folks in the dust with his speed. Does anybody have any links to any game film of when Kiffin was at USC?
Colliervol writes:
Good points Vol_Fan. I too am amused by the folks who think that Kiffin has to win immediately. Evidently, they think our downslide was an overnight occurrence and can be fixed overnight.
I'm also amused by those who can't understand why the change occurred. I was a stubborn supporter of Phil and his chance to turn the program around after 2005. That chance came and went. And it was obvious the resurrection wasn't going to occur. Time to move on.
tennesseeike writes:
I am a Fulmer supporter. I am formost a VOL supporter.I have nothing but praise for Coach Fulmer for what he has accomplished during his tenure as coach. I do know he has not kept in tune with the changing football times.I do not disagree the time has come to make a change.
Only the future knows how the hiring Lane Kiffin will pan out.Peronally I think it will prove fruitful. Youth and knowledge together is a plus. We must be patiant and see how this works. I,for one, do not believe we are without talent on the hill. With a sprikle of new athletes in skill positions we wil be competetive next year. Maybe we will not beat all the big three( Fa,Ga,or Alabama. But at least one will fall.
Butch Davis...good pick but he was not up to the challange of the SEC. He can win 7 games in the ACC and stay in comfort until he retires.
We need to be a United Vol Nation.Get in line
dwarawn writes:
Really? You must be a UT student. Let me help you. 5-15 is the record in which they're speaking. 5 wins, 15 losses...5/(5+15)=0.25
I really hope that "ee" doesn't stand for electrical engineer. If it does, I just lost all respect for the engineering department at UT.
nbt44 writes:
I am not a fan of Kiffin and would have preferred Mike Leach (was he even interviewed?), but anyone is better than what we've had. He will at least be the shot in the arm we've been needing. If it's Lane Kiffin, then so be it. Let's get behind him and get our football program back to where it needs to be. Our football program has been a big disappointment for many years and I for one am ready to see UT get back to winning games in the SEC.
smokyredbone writes:
What? Letting your wife visit "old friends" ha ha ha! Go Kiffin!!!!!
swclaw writes:
I just love all the "loyal fans" who say we need to get behind this hire because he is our coach and we should support our coach,and now become united, etc. Are those the same "loyal fans" that called our previous coach Fat Fill and were hoping for losses to Alabama and Florida? Do as I say, not as I do, I guess..........
jacksfacts writes:
Some comments from Raiders fans:
Good Job, he will actually be able to work, and do what he wants. And not be thrown under the bus and fired just because the team starts turning a corner.
I will now root for the Vols. LOL at you guys who cry about kiffins immaturity while the 230 year old senial old man continues to act like a 3 year old. I'm glad Kiff got out of this hell hole, just like I am glad moss got out, and I will be glad when ASO gets out. Also love how Collins is doing great in Tenn as well.
Congrats on the upgrade in jobs Kiffin, and thanks for trying to get this franchise out of utter dysfunction. Unfortunately this organization, (Al Davis), prefers dysfuntion and isn't interested in having a HC who wants to straighten it out. Congrats to the Vols too, they got a great HC
ggriggs939#223122 writes:
Regardless of who is hired as the head coach, he will be the wrong choice in the eyes of some.
Some of the goals the VOLS coach must meet, based on 'fan' demands in recent years:
Win more games than you play each year.
Run more than you pass and pass more than you run in each game.
Accompany every player 24/365 for the remainder of his life; you will be held accountable for any mistake he makes.
Recruit every 5 star player in the country, but play only the locals.
Always have the quarterback on the bench in the game.
These demands were excerpted from comments by 'fans' over the past years.
southernson writes:
The new Generation For the Volunteer Nation. I LOVE IT. So long Good Ol boys. So long Blue hairs sit on you hands till the band plays. So Long workin like heck.. The New Vol Nation is in power. Get on board or Find another team. ITS OUR TURN ... THIS IS OUR TEAM..
swclaw writes:
Why do these sound like "famous last words"? Oh, good lord.......apparently the south is rising again.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Agree.
Many noticed that there was not a Oklahoma land rush for the OC's job when Cut left.
This ship will take a lot of straightening up.
sameolvolalum writes:
Agreed 100%. Properly aligned well coached players, who happen to be superior athletes, will overcome excellent schemes most all the time. Kiffen has the base to reel in the best athletic and coaching talent within the pool of candidates previously mentioned. At the worst he'll leave better talent behind for the next coach.
secondcreek writes:
Let's hope he works out better for the Vols than former NFL assistant Charlie Weis did at Notre Dame...
Hickmc writes:
Go Lane speaking for myself and most of my friends and co-worker we can't wait for you to get on the job, I think you will be the excitement we have been missing.
As for Phil Thanks for the memories mostly good until recently and good luck in whatever direction you choose to follow.
HaloVol writes:
It just makes sense to me that anyone who is truly a VOLS fan, would be a little more positive and open minded, but all too often it seems the opposite is true. We all want the best for the team, so why can't we just give the new coach a break and give him a chance to prove himself.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Nearly all of us were loyal to CPF--until it was apparent that he was presiding over the decline of the program. He had a total of 17 years as HC, and for about the first half of those he was as successful as anyone can be. After that, it was a steady decline, marked by ever more-embarrassing losses to our top rivals. Eventually loyalty runs out in the cut-throat business of big-time football. Kiffin hasn't done anything yet, good OR bad. He is our guy for now, even though he wasn't necessarily my first choice. It would be at least as stupid to refuse to support him as it would be to EXPECT him to win a championship before he coaches a down or signs a recruit. You like Fulmer and wish he hadn't been fired. That ship has sailed. Either get on board behind our new "captain" or go root for someone else.
nola_vol writes:
It's the foam and flying spittle on the keys that causes those typos.
As for the grammar errors, most are number related--when to use singular, when to use plural. It gets complicated with so many voices in their heads.
el_duderino writes:
Who is Lane Kiffin? A big mistake, the man that will do little to help Tennessee other than make it realize that firing Fulmer was a mistake itself.
tom865#278083 writes:
"...it was obvious the resurrection wasn't going to occur. Time to move on."
Somebody probably said the same thing when Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden were going through their recent hard times. Those two coaches did turn their programs around. The Tennessee Program didn't sink quite as low as either of those programs recently (and in a much more difficult conference). Your slippery slope reasoning is pure fallacy. The comment above is representative of good grammar, spelling, and logic. That means your stereotype (those that don't agree with you about Fulmer have bad grammar & spelling) is a fallacy too.
swclaw writes:
Look Goof,
I will support the new staff. You miss the point. If you don't have a problem with all the venom spat toward Fulmer over the last few years, yet you can dare tell me to get on board with our new captain or root for someone else, I have one word. HYPOCRIT!!!
CoachNeyland writes:
Lane FiveAndFiffin
MarbleVol48 writes:
Smokey - Just sit back and watch two recruiting classes and enjoy the success. Good things will happen quickly!
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