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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 his experience recruiting and what his plan is for UT recruitment. Watch »
The University of Tennessee's search for a new football coach is officially over less than a month after it began.
Former Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin will be introduced as the Vols' head football coach during a 2 p.m. press conference today in Neyland Stadium's Wolf-Kaplan Center, UT announced Sunday evening.
"When it was all said and done, we felt like Lane Kiffin was a perfect fit for Tennessee," UT Athletic Director Mike Hamilton said in a statement. "He's energetic, charismatic, consumed with recruiting and has had a lifelong love affair with football."
Kiffin replaces Phillip Fulmer, who was fired Nov. 3.
Fulmer guided the Vols to two SEC titles and the 1998 national championship but suffered two losing seasons in the last four years, including a 5-7 mark this year.
Kiffin, who becomes UT's 21st head football coach and the program's third in the last 31 years, was 5-15 at Oakland before being fired in September by Raiders' owner Al Davis.
Prior to joining Oakland for the 2007 season, Kiffin was an assistant at Southern California (2001-06) and spent his final two seasons there as offensive coordinator.
Southern California's 2005 offense, which featured future first-round NFL draft picks and Heisman Trophy winners Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush, led the nation in total yards.
Kiffin has been credited with bringing an emphasis on national recruiting to USC and guided the Trojans to top-rated recruiting classes as their recruiting coordinator in 2005 and 2006.
In addition to Southern Cal, Kiffin spent time as an assistant coach with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, Colorado State and Fresno State, where he played quarterback 1994-96.
At 33, Kiffin becomes the youngest head coach in the SEC and the second-youngest in Tennessee history behind Bill Battle, who was 28 when named head coach in 1970.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57 men's…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
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Comments » 69
tnbigg writes:
Good column Drew...well said...
BillsBrother writes:
Interesting choice of words from our athletic director in that quote.
HeckuvaStandpoint writes:
Let the new era begin!!!
FINALLY!
Can't wait for our Vols to be coached up.
Welcome CLK!
Hasta CPF. Thanks for all you did. Enjoy your time off, but please don't come back in any capacity.
utvolzfan76 writes:
GOOD COLUMN. I THINK COACH KIFFIN WILL BE AN EXCELLENT HIRE. I THINK ATHLETIC DIRECTOR MIKE HAMILTON DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT AND APPRECIATION. HE'S DONE A GREAT JOB OF EVALUATING CANDIDATES, AND A SUPER JOB OF UPGRADING OUR FACILITIES. I BELIEVE KIFFIN AND BASEBALL COACH TODD RALEIGH, ANOTHER HAMILTON HIRE, WILL BRING US CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPORTS. COACH BRUCE PEARL IS ALREADY A PROVEN WINNER HERE.LET'S JUST BE PATIENT AND GIVE THEM TIME TO RECRUIT THEIR PLAYERS AND IMPLEMENT THEIR SYSTEMS.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Ditto on Kiffin. BTW, your caps lock is on.
newtonrail writes:
Is Chris, the one charged with 2 counts of burglary coming from Nebraska? Start the police blotter NOW.
yeavols#228407 writes:
Something has to be said about Hamilton's judgement. I was skeptical about the hiring of Kiffin, but I had to reflect upon what Hamilton has done in the past with the hiring of Pearl and other coaches. Maybe I didn't see the trend. He seems to be doing a good job so far with the hiring of other coaches. If it works out that's great and if it doesnt, it can be repaired. I don't have any high expectations, but surely a better record than 5-7 next year has to be in the works.
givehim6 writes:
I hope his great recruiting skills and newly hired staff can put UT's 2009 class back on top again. Sounds like a good hire for UT but, i'm not going to fully get behind this till after the 2009 season. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice--- well you know.
BillVol writes:
When you look at the elderly, balding, grey-haired, obese Fulmer alongside the young Lane Kiffin, this was a no-brainer, wasn't it? Thank you, Mike Hamilton, for making this tough call. Thunder Thornton is nothing compared to the tens of thousands of UT fans who HAVE YOUR BACK! Go Big Orange! Rocky Top, you'll always be...
junder13 writes:
I can't wait for the Kiffin era to begin! Finally, reason to be excited again!
FWBVol writes:
Phillip Fulmer is only eight years older than I am, and I think there are a good number of us that consider it an insult to call someone that is 58 "elderly." As for the gray hair and balding, he has no control over that. He might be overweight, but he's lost weight in recent years.
I wish Lane Kiffin well. And as a UT fan, I hope he has a long and successful tenure at UT. But Alabama fans will be the first to tell you that just because someone has GQ looks and comes from a great coaching family it doesn't mean he'll be successful in the SEC.
I've supported Phillip Fulmer, but I hope Lane Kiffin is successful enough at UT to perhaps one day move past Fulmer on the all-time wins list among UT coaches.
Good Luck Lane, and welcome to the Jungle.
Check
BillVol writes:
I say "elderly" realtively speaking, FWB. I know that 58 is not elderly.
But Kiffin is young and energetic. Fulmer is -- and there is NO debating this -- fat and lazy. I'm glad he is gone. I can barely speak his name anymore, after what he has put us through these last ten years.
junder13 writes:
Good points and I agree with your first paragraph, FWB. Fulmer's age, weight, and hairline have nothing to do with his coaching success (at least, not directly anyway).
I think some UT fans need to realize that you don't have to bash Fulmer to support Kiffin, and vice versa. Besides, Fulmer deserves the Vol nation's respect (as a vast majority give him his due credit I imagine). Let's end this Fulmer supporters vs. Kiffin supporters thing now. This is not partisan legislation, ya know! We need more posters with FWB's menatilty here:
"I've supported Phillip Fulmer, but I hope Lane Kiffin is successful enough at UT to perhaps one day move past Fulmer on the all-time wins list among UT coaches.
Good Luck Lane, and welcome to the Jungle." -FWB
utgrad93 writes:
Kiffin is "energetic, charismatic, consumed with recruiting and has had a lifelong love affair with football." So was Fulmer???? Is that all you can say... Let me say he is also wet between the ears...
Now that was a bone head hire. Hamilton will be fired next for his second poor judgement call. Kiffin will fail like he did at Oakland.
MidTennVol writes:
Is anyone other than me nervous about bringing a raging bull like Orgeron into this program?
Without question, he's supposed to be a terrific recruiter.
But, from what I've read, there are questions about recruiting improprieties following him around. He also seems to have a reputation of some players hating his guts.
Insights, anyone?
BlakeyWakey writes:
I still Don't think Kiffin will be the perfect fit!
txsvol#372416 writes:
I googled 'Ed Orgeron' and found the wikipedia article. In 1991, while an assistant at Miami, a Dade County court granted a 'permanent injunction of protection' to a woman against Orgeron. He was required to complete a 26 week domestic violence counseling program. (Wife or girlfriend? It doesn't say.) Subsequently, in 1992, a highly intoxicated Orgeron was arrested in a Baton Rouge bar fight, and charged with a second-degree battery felony, which subsequently was dropped. He was placed on probation by U of Miami. I had made these points earlier, but it bears repeating, as I do not think Orgeron has the credentials to be a Tennessee Volunteer football coach. I'm not talking about 'X's and O's,' but about moral fiber. (Check my earlier post if you want to know more.) I'm all about supporting Lane Kiffin, and believe in granting him wide latitude in selecting his assistants, but ELIMINATE ED from further consideration! SAVol
Jdacris writes:
Lets not forget that Mike Hamilton used the same coaching firm that placed Urban Meyer at Florida, Mark Richt at Georgia, Bobby Johnson at Vanderbilt, Les Miles at LSU, Butch Davis at North Carolina, and oh yeah, Bruce Pearl at Tennessee. Lets give Kiffin a chance. So what he struggled with the Raiders? Chuck Noll couldn't coach the Raiders under crazy Al Davis. True Tennessee fans will support the man wearing the orange polo and headset until he gives us a reason not to.
southernson writes:
The New Generation Of Volunteer Nation , Thank Mike Hamiliton. New Blood , new vision new direction. Now we can learn how to Beat Florida. ITS KIPPINVILLE...
MidTennVol writes:
Ignorant swine. Obnoxious, trailer-bred, Cheetohs-smelling, name-calling adolescent.
Try calling Coach Fulmer "fat and lazy" in front of one of his players.
Yes, he may be overweight but I've never seen/heard of any evidence that he is lazy.
Get a life (and maybe some class), punk.
volsfannsc writes:
DenmarkVol- I usually disagree with 99 percent of everything you post with the exception of your last post. Can't see Fulmer being lazy- a head coach at any university has a non-stop, hectic, and brutal schedule.
The perspective that surrounds Fulmer's career at UT is unreal. The story lines state "second loosing season in four years"- while a true statement, so would "second loosing season in fifteen years". I think Clawson was Fulmer's biggest downfall and everyone tends to forget that. While I feel it was time for a coaching change- respect for the man is well deserved. True Tennesseans dont kick a man while he's down or take cheap shots. If this is your MO- move to GA and become a bulldog.
It's time for a new chapter in UT football. Let's look forward with support for the new guys and move on from the past. But what do I know? ...I'm just a grey-hared, balding, overweight fan of UT football.
vut56#231073 writes:
Hmmm; a "new generation," alright. Several of them. Let's see: Mr. Kiffin, hisownself, Daddy, Brother, Brother-in-law, and that is before an official announcement. We better get used to the name. Looks like the Clampletts are coming to town.
I wish (them all) well, of course.
Go, Somewhat Diminished Orange!
VOLinDAWGland writes:
DCflorida writes:
"This just in.... Sources say Kiffin has just hired his cousins, boyfreinds, ex-brother-in-law to coach the tight ends. The staff is really coming together!"
This just in...Urban Cryer leaves FL for ND.
Jdacris writes:
So your saying that we shouldn't hire MONTE KIFFIN, arguably the NFL's (not the WAC or PAC 10, the NFL) best defensive coordinator? Or maybe we shouldn't hire the brother-in-law who just pulled in South Carolina's first top-ten recruiting class? And we should wait to do this until after the announcement so we can lose even more recruits. Makes perfect sense.
kilovol writes:
Its KIFFIN not KIPPIN.
volaholic45 writes:
From the fount of all guy wisdom, Mike "Solozzo" Hamilton:
"Let's face it, Tom, and all due respect, the Don, rest in peace, was -- slippin'. Ten years ago could I have gotten to him? . . . Well -- now he's dead. He's dead, Tom, and nothing can bring him back. . . . . It's good business, Tom."
volaholic45 writes:
the fount of guy wisdom being the GF, not Solozzo Hamilton
rockytopatl writes:
And it's L-O-S-I-N-G, not loosing. Let's improve our literacy along with our W-L record.
Singaporehillbilly writes:
"True Tennessee fans will support the man wearing the orange polo and headset until he gives us a reason not to."
So if I do not support the hire I must be a Bammer?
jopad#212858 writes:
To those who refuse to bash Fulmer and kick him while he is down and hurting, thank you. Those who do must be insecure about their own lives and only feel they are valued if they can show themselves to be of greater value than others by critiucising them. Have you contributed more of your life and resources to UT than did Fulmer and his family? Shame on you for being mean and vindictive. Lets now support Kiffin and his new staff and let Phil Fulmer alone. Also what difference does it make if Kiffin hires relatives if they can recruit, coach, and represent the university in a positive manner. And yes I am one of the "elderly" fans, age 71, who still supports the university and its athletic program.
kiddtigger#228291 writes:
Up until the late 90's most of the SEC teams had been coached by mostly SEC alumni. The SEC was something special. Now most of the teams are coached by someone other than southern guys. It's hard for many of us here in the south to accept the outsiders that don't understand tradition.I realize football itself is changing. The pro-style offense is outdated. But let's not talk trash about a guy who loved UT for it's traditions. True fans don't use terms like "Fat Phil" or Fool-mer." Show some southern pride. If you're in your 20's and 30's you may be too young to understand. Trying to be cute and funny on the Internet shows your youth. I will be excited about next year. We all want to win. But don't criticize me or other Fulmer fans because we understand UT loyalty. It goes back a long way. Let's hope it doesn't totally disappear.
Jdacris writes:
You said it, not me Bammer. Lets at least give the man a week before we run him (and his family) out of town.
smokyredbone writes:
Whats wrong DC? I'll bet Urban's pucker factor went up considerably once he found out daddy Kiffin will be running the D. If he's not sure about the effect, tell him to ask Bammer Nick about him.
iowavol writes:
What did he say other than spout biographical data?
smokyredbone writes:
Amen > Charlie Strong will be coaching somewhere else next year also!!
jopad#212858 writes:
Well said "kidtigger".
Topvol writes:
I will give you Urban Meyer, mans done very well, Richt, has done fairly well (a couple of plays away from Kent. and Vandy Beating them, we were just a couple of plays away from wins, not to mention we beat them 2 of the last 3 yrs.) Johnson, we beat Vandy, and they are faltering at the end of the year. Miles, look at LSU this year and check the SEC record this year, Davis, same thing falter at the end instead of the beginning...If Kiffin couldn't make it under "crazy Al davis" why is he going to make it here with some of our crazy "al davis" like fans. Why not keep Chavis, as DC top SEC Defense knows the SEC and Tn. Elder Kiffin as someone on here pointed out in another comment "elderly and balding" is a bad thing, he has been in the NFL a long time maybe the college game has passed him by (probably). ED O would not be a good fit at Tn. to much baggage. If (and I think that is a big IF), Kiffin does well, I will be happy but I hope you all are ready for the not so well...I will give his new offense and coaches the same consideration some of you gave the new offense and new coaches this year.
MidTennVol writes:
Hamilton consulted several former Vols now in the NFL.
Here's one of them...
http://www.nfljuice.com/2008/11/22/er...
asand211#361548 writes:
DCflorida, tell us more about all of those arrests this year of Florida players for felonies. Don't forget the tow company owner who was paid to drop the charges against the player who broke into his business last year.
asand211#361548 writes:
I agree about Les Miles, who won a championship on someone else's players but Davis is winning at North Carolina. That is equivelant to a one loss season at Tennessee. The statement comparing crazy Al Davis to crazy UT fans was just plain stupid. UT fans cannot go to practice and make team decisions but Davis can and did. He's a nut and Kiffin's tenure in Oakland should be discounted completely.
asand211#361548 writes:
You should have an R on your helmet for retarded.
volaholic45 writes:
Five indisputable truths:
1. Fulmer's whole body of work is a fine legacy. Nobody is trying to rename Phil Fulmer Way.
2. The program has been in serious decline for several years. There are lots more problems on this team than "a couple of fumbles and an emotional Wyoming game."
3. The AD has to have the broad shoulders. That frees up everyone else to be moved by heart-rending video tributes.
4. Outsiders always tut-tut at the fickleness of their opponents. But when it's their own team in the sling, everybody tries to fix the problem, critics be damned.
5. Bum Philips: "There ain't but two kinds of coaches. Them that's been fired, and them that's gonna get fired." It's not the end of the world, for Phil or for anybody else.
Go vols.
rabidvol1998 writes:
"what did he do to make them think he was a good coach"?
What a stupid question. Did you post on the wrong site?
The question doesn't really deserve an answer, but I'll give you a few hints.
National championship
Decade of dominance
2nd winningest coach in TN history
The standard by which all new UT coaches will be judged.
Great man.
If he choses to go to Miss St. he will end up with the second most SEC wins in history.
I guess he is a total failure since he comes up second behind Neyland and Bryant.
Who are you second behind in your job?
Go Kiffin, beat Bama.
KENVOL writes:
I know that if you talk to people at Ole Miss they can tell you some stories about Coach "O". He has been seen marking the football field like a dog would. He had a very vulgar mouth on him and offended many people. I have no respect for him and hope he is not allowed anywhere near K-Town.
Jdacris writes:
Sorry Topvol. Your right.I should be ashamed of myself for listing those bums(Richt 2 SEC Titles, Miles, Meyer, Davis National Championships). Lets put you in the hotseat- who would you have hired and why?
rabidvol1998 writes:
Good points. I am and will always be a Fulmer FAN and supporter. However, as CEO of TN Sports, Mike Hamilton made the exact decision he needed to make and the exact right time and as best we can tell at this moment, made the exact right hire.
Long live Phil.
Let's Kiffin equals Phil's accomplishments and surpasses the General. It would be fun.
Topvol writes:
OK I will discount the Oakland years ...now he has never been a head coach and by your account really wasn't while he was there anyway. Your statement of being equivelant to a one loss seaon at UT ?? Now that was stupid, are you saying that the ACC is so strong that a 8-4 (4-4 in conference) is equal to one loss in the SEC?
lewhs93#205993 writes:
As I read all of these comments I seem to have read them before.I believe they were here last year when Coach brought in new blood and a new system.I sure hope Kiffin can can give us what we want.A WINNER GO VOLS
PureOrange writes:
I believe we all agree something had to be done. Our football program was definitely not where we expect it to be. That being said, Coach Fulmer gave most of his life to our university. He is an honorable and good man. While we may not agree with his ability to get us back to where we need to be, I do not understand why people have to say negative things about him, especially now that he is gone. And to those who are already negative about Kiffin without knowing of his first decision is also hard to understand.
There will be time for second-guessing down the road, but can we not give this guy a chance and be positive.
What do recruits and others think about UT when they read comments by some of the people who cannot seem to have a positive thought about anyone?
xd9x19 writes:
Did Gomer Pyle or Barney Fife not want the UT coaching job? Is that how we ended up with Kiffin?
Oh well, there's always basketball!
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