Photo by Dino Vournas
Lane Kiffin
Football minds across the country are weighing in on Tennessee's decision to hire Lane Kiffin as its next coach.
Reggie McKenzie, director of football operations for the Green Bay Packers and former UT offensive lineman, said moving from the NFL to college is easier than vice versa.
Kiffin's last job was as head coach for the Oakland Raiders. He was fired on Sept. 30 after a 5-15 overall record.
"In the NFL, everybody thinks they know everything," McKenzie said. "From that standpoint, he should be OK."
UT has agreed in principle with Kiffin. Barring any unforeseen snags, Kiffin's hiring will be announced in the coming days, likely on Monday.
McKenzie said some of Kiffin's struggles in Oakland could have been caused by Kiffin's age. The Raiders hired Kiffin when he was 31.
"That doesn't always work when you've got a young guy," McKenzie said.
Now Kiffin's age - 33 - could be a benefit.
"I think a younger guy in college would be more in tune," McKenzie said. "You have a better chance from the age standpoint."
Kiffin received a strong endorsement from ESPN's Chris Mortensen even before UT's decision to hire him was finalized.
On the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page, Mortensen said Kiffin's practices were extremely well run with great tempo.
"It was a heckuva job," Mortensen said when asked of Kiffin's time with the Raiders.
Mortensen also said Kiffin's mental makeup will be a good fit in the SEC.
"To coach in the SEC, you've got to have an ego, you've got to have an air of confidence. Some people could say arrogance, I say confidence to compete with the Nick Sabans and the Mark Richts and the Urban Meyers," Mortensen said. "Lane has that."
Mortensen said Kiffin convinced Southern Cal coach Pete Carroll to recruit nationally when Kiffin was the recruiting coordinator at USC.
Given the limited amount of top-flight high school football prospects in the state of Tennessee, that will be a must at UT.
"You have to recruit nationally and Tennessee is one of the few schools capable of doing that," Mortensen said.
Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher called Kiffin an excellent coach whom he had gotten to know during Kiffin's time in Oakland.
"He went into a very, very difficult situation there in Oakland," Fisher told The Associated Press. "I thought he handled things professionally. He certainly had that team moving in the right direction in the opinion of his peers, including me, and didn't get a chance to finish it. I think he'll be a great college coach."
ESPN analyst and former Notre Dame coach Bob Davie, who was calling Saturday's game between Tennessee and Kentucky, said he's only been around Kiffin briefly but described him a "sharp, sharp guy".
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Comments » 62
tnbigg writes:
No doubt about it...exciting days dead ahead!
tnbigg writes:
Shout out to Reggie. He and Raleigh are great Vols...never forget them when they were young...yes...I'm that old...
blitzshoot writes:
Coach KIFFEN...please put discipline on your schedule...
gassers
blitzshoot writes:
Sorry to associate you with me, but you aint old, your my brother...
bluetick writes:
I don't really care what Bob Davie says, but for the others I hope you're right. Seems Fulmer does have interest in Clemson as stated in the post game interview. Hmmmm... Bring it on Kiffin. Show us what you're made of and make Al Davis look more ignorant than he already looks.
jabark82 writes:
Glad to hear Mortensen and Fisher expressing good thoughts and adding to expectations. I've been waiting for someone who actually knows what they're talking about to weigh in on the hire. Bring on the Kiffin!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/87...
woodwr#217203 writes:
It is all about the staff!
If Fulmer had not picked Clawson, the Vols would have been 8-4 or 9-3 and he would be back in 2009.
Hiring the guy BECAUSE he was out of work, instead of a head coach or coordinator of a BCS team might backfire.
IF Kiffin can hire a good staff he will do as well as Fulmer would have. He is not the Offensive master-mind nor the real deal of an Urban Meyer, but with a good enough staff he doesn't have to be.
Does he have connections to assemble a good enough staff? Can he convince a Charlie Strong or Kevin Steele to switch teams? Can he find an ofensive coordinator who can teach and develop?
tnbigg writes:
We are Brothers...
staf101#341843 writes:
Please esplaine why we should be exited about a looseer. Your record is Won 5, ;losse 15. Why are quafied to coach amy football team. Even in High School!!!
OakyVol09 writes:
Can't help but get excited when I think about this guy out there recruiting for UT. He is young and energetic. He also has football in his blood. He will relate to young kids and has connections all over. From what I have read, he runs a pretty tight ship as well. That is something we need. Good luck Mr. Kiffin. Can't wait to see what you can do.
yeavols#228407 writes:
HUH? I am hoping that post was a joke..if not.How in the hell did that dude even find the spelling on the computer for the "on" button
TNPilgrim writes:
Nonsense - maybe if Cutcliff had stayed they MIGHT have been 8-4 or 7-5,judging from the difference he made when he came back, but even that is pure speculation. Clawson should not be made out to be the scapegoat in this year's failure. We knew we were weak at the QB spot because Fulmer refused to develop Crompton last year. In fact, the whole offense lacked the talent needed to compete with the top tier teams in the SEC. It's been years since we've had a really good offensive line. The decision to get rid of Fulmer was the right one, and that chapter of UT football is closed. Let's hope there are better days ahead.
ncvol17 writes:
This article is a perfect forum for the Legions of the Miserable to start complaining..let's all hate the guy early and only for the reason of a shortened NFL record working for an aging Scrooge who almost ALL in the NFL despise for so many reasons. Let the attacks begin......
TommyJack writes:
And speaking of looseers, what ever became of ol' Naffy?
OakyVol09 writes:
He is at Zach Rogers' game taunting him as we speak.
kb7398#233189 writes:
Fulmer takes the fall because wolves wanted to tinker with the spread...and Clawson alledgedly knew how to get it implemented.
Dave Clawson isn't the main reason Fulmer is now gone, but his fingerprints are on this debacle.
govols87 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
MANVOL writes:
Pete Carrol was 6-10 and fired after his first year with the JETS. Fortunately he had the Bill Parcells to give a second chance at New England or he would have been a failure going back to college.
govols87 writes:
which team are you on? why don't you join the team and come on in for the big win kid...it feels good on this side...enough with the cynicism
blitzshoot writes:
Naffy, Hiresanders, ????
I don't get it.
FedUpVolFan writes:
No offense please sir.But some of these posts make some already look very stupid!
Teresa writes:
The show after Dave's with Josh Ward interviewed a guy from CBS (name blank). He said that Kiffin's practices are so tough that the players filed a grievance with the union.
Who heard Fulmer mention the Clemson job on the post game? I missed that.
govols87 writes:
I'm fed up too FedUpVol...we need to unite. I wanted Fulmer to be given more time...I loved coach but I love the program first. So I support this decision and it's high time everybody else did...this isn't the first time this happened...this exact situation happened in '92 when Majors was canned and you had a split in the fan base that can still be found in the deepest recesses of the Big Orange Nation
jsm67vol writes:
If Fulmer had shown confidence in his own decision to hire Clawson and actually let him use the personel he thought could execute his system the best, it would have been obvious to everyone that we were just having a down year learning a new system. This offense had Phils fingerprints all over it. Clawson said "they never bought into the system" He was right, not even the HC bought in to it, therefore how could anyone else. Clawson will be successful, you can bet on that. And the Vols could have been successful with Clawson too, if only Phil would have shown confidence in him.
FedUpVolFan writes:
Amen!
I shed tears tonight.Phil gave his best.But so did UT.
He walks away with $6 million.I have to try to figure out how to buy groceries and meds for next year.
Let's stop this childish stuff and support the new coach.
I just long to enjoy watching my beloved Vols again!
blitzshoot writes:
Im all in...
govols87 writes:
"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts!"---Ace Ventura:Pet Detective.....love that movie
Hunter writes:
Bama and Florida looked awfully good today. Granted, Bama played the Tennessee of the West, but the Gators are the best team in the country right now. I hope Coach K can come in and steal some athletes from these guys and at least try to even the coaching odds in the games or we're in for more of the same.
jabark82 writes:
What makes you "quafied" to speak English? Good lord man. I know first-graders who spell better and make better sense.
PEYTONFORHEISMAN1997 writes:
That is one of the most ignorant statements I have ever heard. This man has great credentials and will assemble and NFL staff that will provide us with discipline and structure which we obviously need. He might not be a home run pick but can provide us with great assistant coaches from the NFL that will provide structure and discipline, which we have lacked. As you can see from years past, assistant coaches make all the difference. Look at where our offense has been sence cutcliffe left. The program has obviously been hungry for a change and I believe this is the best guy availabe and the fact that he had a very successful run at Tulsa and assembled one of the most talented offenses in the country at USC, makes you sound like you have about as much sense as a pile of phooey in a cow pasture. get a life and support our new hire.
PEYTONFORHEISMAN1997 writes:
I don't think that the reason for our 5-7 season is based on not getting crompton enough reps. That kid has been there for 3 years and has had time to develop. The problem is Clawson. This unit from 2007 has returned an offensive line who gave up only 5 sacks last year, all 4 running backs, and wide receivers. They also gained Brandon Warren who is a 5 star recruit and freshman all american at florida state. Now with those kind of players you would think that cutcliffe could assemble a good offensive attack. I think I'd rather have my little sister run the offense than have this guy another year. He is totally predictable. Alabama's Steele ate us alive. He knew the play before it even developed. I can't say that its all Clawson ,because this is Fulmer's hire, but I'm saying if Cutcliff was here we would have at worse 8 wins. Go Vols!!
chrisw2967 writes:
in response to staf101#341843:
Please esplaine why we should be exited about a looseer. Your record is Won 5, ;losse 15. Why are quafied to coach amy football team. Even in High School!!!
this is why you just say no to drugs and if your not doing drugs then maybe you need to try them.
rockytop4ever writes:
Crack kills man. Just say no! Stay in school kids so you dont become a "looseer"
longtimefan writes:
Everyone should be happy there will be no more talk about Pattersons, Petersens, Petersons or Peters, sons.
txsvol#372416 writes:
I'm for Tennessee and anybody who is playing Alabama and Florida! When the Gators play the Tide, I HOPE THEY BOTH LOSE!!! None of this SEC superconference thing for me--we recruit against those teams! Go Vols! SAVol
txsvol#372416 writes:
You guys want to watch the Bama/Gator winner play the Sooners or the Longhorns game against them before declaring the Gators the best team in the country? SAVol
OldBob writes:
Phil Fulmer is twice the coach and man that Kiffin will ever me. Big mistake and we are in for years of bad times. Hamilton better be looking for his own job. I am disgusted. I have two degrees from UTK but they have lost my support. They are no longer the kind of educational institution one can be proud of it. They are just another football factory who has given in to a stupid uneducated but vocal minority who call themselves fans - they are that. Idiots blowing air around. It's a sad sad time in Knoxville.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Do you give enough to the University to make that decision? Otherwise take a big dose of reality and call us in the morning..we are 5-7, we already look stupid
shipperman#280095 writes:
"Phil Fulmer is twice the coach and man that Kiffin will ever me".
In size maybe
shipperman#280095 writes:
Old Bob, for years Tennessee has been more of a football school than an academic school. Nothing new there
7_Game_Maxims writes:
Yeah. I'm all in with you here. Until we get back to sniffing the top of the league, none of us should be pulling for any SEC team to be successful except us. If it's Ok & Al in the Title game I'll be a Sooner that day. We need recruits to look our way.
txvolsfan writes:
Don't know anything about amy football but I think his staff will help him in SEC football. What qualified Mark Richt or Bob Stoops???
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
Bon Voyage, Old Timer!
knucklehead_vol writes:
Phil Fulmer is twice the coach and man that Kiffin will ever me. what? i bet you were one of the guys hoping fulmer got hired to overthrow majors, huh? wonder how the old guys felt back then? it might not be good in knoxville, but everywhere else it is great that we are moving forward. fulmer thanks for the ride.
knucklehead_vol writes:
another thing, besides the student-athlete, where are academics and athletics intertwined? the ad dept.supports itself. because of this hire, we now have a lot more people outside of the sec looking at us, especially form california. these people are congratulating us on this hire. think they know something yo don't?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
"I think a younger guy in college would be more in tune".
McKensie.
Dang, geezers are in tune with afternoon naps and cold brews.
Hard football practices, not on the agenda. We'd get tired watching. Prefer a 12 oz curl.
DroopyDrawers writes:
Chavis for DC.
knucklehead_vol writes:
mortenson reported this morning on espn, manning was consulted about the kiffin hire and gave his approval. also, confirmed monte is on his way to rocky top.
knucklehead_vol writes:
here's the schedule...anyone want to put in their w/l's? go ahead pick 'em, those of you that think this is the decline of tennessee football will be reminded next year!
09/05/09 Western Kentucky w
09/12/09 UCLA w
09/19/09 at Florida l
09/26/09 Ohio w
10/03/09 Auburn w
10/10/09 Georgia w
10/24/09 at Alabama l
10/31/09 South Carolina w
11/07/09 Memphis w
11/14/09 at Mississippi w
11/21/09 Vanderbilt w
11/28/09 at Kentucky w
12/05/09 SEC Championship (Atl.)
oh yeah, he'll make a statement to chow with a win also.
knucklehead_vol writes:
http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2008/1...
ha ha to all you negative a--holes.
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