High school football coaches got more than just a look at Monte Kiffin’s famous “Tampa 2” scheme at a Tennessee clinic, they got an up-close look at how passionate the Volunteers new defensive coordinator is about coaching.
Kiffin enthusiastically treated participants to some of the coaching philosophies that he and his son, head coach Lane Kiffin, are using to re-energize the Volunteers players and staff.
“I love coaches that coach hard with energy. The players are going to feed off of you,” Monte Kiffin said.
The 68-year-old defensive mastermind formerly of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — who claims he feels more like a 48-year-old — had enough energy for all of the few hundred coaches at the clinic to feed from.
Kiffin’s voice rose and fell as he talked of passion, energy, honesty and discipline, and he pumped his fist in the air as he explained some of his practice drills, shouting, “Is this good stuff, or what?”
The three-day coaching clinic features sessions with several Tennessee coaches, exhibits by sporting goods vendors, a Saturday practice with the Volunteers and a keynote speech on Saturday by Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
The defensive football fundamentals Kiffin talked about may not be entirely different from the previous staff under coach Phillip Fulmer, but his style is. His predecessor, current LSU coordinator John Chavis, is a defensive guru in his own right but coaches with a stoic demeanor.
Barry Saunders, a 33-year assistant coach at nearby Oak Ridge High School, said he was concerned about his beloved Vols after Fulmer was fired and his staff released.
“I think they’ve put together a great staff. They’ve got the young guys (enthusiastic). I think it’s going to be a great year next year. We’re going to go places,” Saunders said.
Kiffin’s demeanor isn’t an act — it’s how he interacts with players, fellow coaches, fans and the media. It’s one of his rules of coaching and playing: don’t fake it.
He told the coaches they shouldn’t be upset with themselves for losing, especially if they’ve prepared well.
Kiffin reminded the coaches that they by being great teachers they would also be great motivators and their first rule for players should be to show up. He also preached discipline.
“Tell your players what the need to hear, not what they want to hear,” he said.
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Comments » 24
tennezz writes:
I believe these coaches can get it done!
ScoobyDoo writes:
I'm glad to see them aligning with Tomlin. When he got the Steelers gig, I remember thinking "Who?!?", then I watched his first press conference and I thought to myself that this is a guy *I* could get behind, and I hate the Steelers! Lane has assembled an all-star cast. He is doing all the right things in the so-called "silly season". I'm excited to see what he delivers in the fall.
KptVol writes:
Can someone explain....
From what I've researched and read, Kiffin's "Tampa 2" is a strong D against the pass. How does it stack against the run (and why?).
Thanks
My first Post by the way...
UTandETSUfan writes:
It stacks up pretty well against it. On running situations, each guy gets a gap, and its his job to defend it. But remember, the "Tampa Two" is only one part of Kiffin's defense, he also has other packages and situational blitzes/lineups, ect.
Welcome to GVX btw.
misplacedVOLinGA writes:
Awesome how many coaches are in town for the clinic... hope they, (our coaches) realize how much they are being watched by UT fans!! So excited about the up coming season!!!
P.S. Any VOL fans that are going to be in Augusta for the Masters should let me know. I've got a good place here just a short walk from the course. Would love to have some good Volunteer company for the tournament.
If a response was missed on the post, contact me through email at jeremylgraham@yahoo.com. Will be in town during tournament, but always glad to share a room with a fellow VOL!!!
ravensearay writes:
At last count I heard that ~300 coaches are in town. That's just an amazing stat to me. Still trying to temper my enthisiasm for my expectations of this staff and team but you can't help but get caught up in all of excitement!!
GO VOLS!!!!!
randzimm#255981 writes:
If I remember correctly, Mike Tomlin was and assistant under Monte from 2001 to 2005.. So they already had a coaching relationship..
ravensearay writes:
You got to love this quote from a writer (Matt Mcguire) with WalterFootbal.com " Let me say this, the UT coaching staff is simply elite...period. If they can get a big time quarterback they will win a national championship."
I love it............
GO VOLS!!!!!!
Waldorf writes:
I agree. I keep trying to make myself not make my expectations too high for this fall.
I have to make myself say 8 wins is a great turnaround, but somewhere deep down I keep thinking that 10 wins is an outside possibility.
SignalMtnVol writes:
You do know that Tomlin was a DB coach under Monte Kiffin, right? Also, Haslam has a minority stake in the steelers.
Volunteer writes:
Dang, i would love to take you up on that but isnt it hard to get tickets for the Masters???
I always thought that they were pretty muched passed down through family members and such. Can you actually buy tickets???
Man, the Masters is a great tournament! Love the atmosphere, specially this year. Love to see Tiger and Phil play in the final round!
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
I have been feeling the exact same way!!!
I just believe in this staff. I am not expecting miracles...not with our QBs...but I think that this staff will make at least one of them functional!
kingwoodtx_vol writes:
From a football outsider (never coached) but one that has followed football and read a lot about how things should be done.
From watching the Tampa Bucs play, the Tampa 2 is actually a very strong run defense if you have the right players. The middle LB is a key player because he has to plug the middle in both run and pass situations. It also depends upon a very strong defensive line. It also depends upon a LOT of speed and good tackling because it is designed to keep everything underneath. (I know, lots of also's!)
I am concerned with this defense on the college level due to the difference in the rules on blocking between the NFL and NCAA. In the NFL, linemen can't move downfield until the pass is caught. In the NCAA, as long as the ball is caught behind the line of scrimmage, you can block downfield. The rules on wide receivers blocking is also different.
I look forward to an interesting year of UT football as we see what this coaching staff is going to be able to do. Just like last year, I think the defense is going to boil down to the play of the DL. If they can stuff the run and get some pressure on the QB, it will make the LB play so much better. If the DL plays well, you can now blitz LB from anywhere and be much more effective. If they add a zone blitz package to the scheme, that just kills QB reads. Remember the Super Bowl.
How many days is it until Western Kentucky?
CoverOrange writes:
Seems like we've got players around the perimeter that could be quite exciting, however, the old saying "games are won in the trenches" comes to mind. Our trenches are pretty shallow.
If John Parker Wilson Miller Jones Smith can be a serviceable QB for Bama surely one of our moribund three can be too.
randzimm#255981 writes:
What happened to "Fear The Kiffin"?
Fear The Kiffin!
randzimm#255981 writes:
Off topic...
Can I change my posting name or loose the number brand??
Thanks..
randzimm#2347ou4o23u4244900234
johnlg00#206211 writes:
As one who also has a string of numbers attached to my screen-name, I don't know why they do it, either. I've learned to just ignore it, since I never have to remember or use the numbers myself.
NorthwestVol writes:
This 'Coaches Day' thing was a great way to form relationships with high school coaches from all over the south. And some of those coaches will be advising top notch talent in the coming years. Recruit the coaches, and the players will follow.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
As for CMK, as someone else said, he doesn't have just one defensive alignment. His biggest impact on this program right now is his enthusiasm and ability to put the right guys in the right positions. As someone said speaking mainly about basketball, "It's less about the X's and O's than it is about the Jimmies and Joes." Get the right guys in the right positions, "coach 'em up", and get them properly motivated, and you will be successful in any system. CMK can do all that.
givehim6 writes:
Hope UT's defence can put a big stop on others teams offences. The thing that concerns me is the 2009 vols are sounding a bit like the 2008vols, good defence, a running game but weak passing game. But we have a great staff, and more energy.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
also can't wait for football time in tenn.
anyone else a little disappointed, though, that we have scheduled UT-Martin in football for 2010???
senracjr writes:
Memphis and vandy aren't Div. II
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Not as long as every other BCS team does the same thing. UT was the LAST of the major programs to schedule an FCS (formerly D-IAA) team. Look at Florida's powerhouse non-conference schedule! Western Carolina? Charleston Southern? Please.
montanavolfan writes:
UT has historically played some teams of lesser note, Rutgers, Wyoming, and others. Which didn't always mean wins.... This is good for another school in the UT system, its good for their recruiting and the money stays in the system. Plus UTK gets to tune up and make improvements before hitting a brutal conf sch.
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