The mini-mester class ends today.
Like professors, Tennessee's new football coaches have crammed as much learning as they could into the abbreviated course of study called spring practice.
The grading system is pass-fail.
"They're right on schedule for what we're trying to get done,'' offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said as spring practice comes to an end in the Orange & White Game today at Neyland Stadium.
Chaney and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin both expressed satisfaction with how much the players were able to absorb in 15 spring practices as they make the transition from the Phillip Fulmer regime to the way new head coach Lane Kiffin wants things done.
Monte Kiffin said he got about 90 percent of his defensive system installed in the spring. When asked if that's ahead of schedule, he smiled and quickly discouraged that line of thinking.
"No,'' he said, "we're way off. We're just getting better.
"We're not ready to play right now. We will be, but we're not ready right now.''
Chaney and Kiffin are both back on a college campus after a stint in the NFL.
In Chaney's case, it's only been three seasons since he was Purdue's offensive coordinator.
He found that teaching the young Vols isn't markedly different from teaching the St. Louis Rams.
"I can't tell a difference, to be real honest with you,'' he said. "It's amazing the similarities on any level of football when you walk out of the locker room and on to a football field.
"Most football players love the game. When you love something you're naturally inquisitive.
"So they're wanting to find out. They're wanting to be coached. They want us to give them something to hang their hat on.''
Monte Kiffin's most recent collegiate job was back in 1982. For the past 26 seasons, he lived an NFL work week.
His biggest adjustment has been the NCAA rule book, in particular the 20-hour week for players.
"I'm used to just hanging around and going out on Saturday or Sunday and working out with players,'' Kiffin said.
"You've got free agents who want to get some extra work. You can't do it here. It's the same for everybody, but I wish we didn't have all these rules.''
The time constraints may be different, but, echoing Chaney, Kiffin said football players are football players.
He said that even during his NFL years, he found time to help with high school teams that his sons Lane and Chris played on.
"I enjoy that stuff,'' he said. "It doesn't matter, high school, college or pros, coaching is coaching.
"I just love coaching ball.''
He also loves the culture of college football at a program like Tennessee.
"I'm really having fun with all these other young college coaches,'' he said.
"I love pro football and Tampa Bay was awesome, but this is some kind of place.
"I'm excited about the Vol Walk. It's just the spring game, but if I go back to the pros we need to get a Buc walk.
"I'm having fun.''
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 12
cobbwebb writes:
HE!! no youre not going back to the NFL! monte are you loco? big orange country is your final resting place! o&w game is gonna be exciting, cant wait to see if our guys have a new attitude on the field, to see who is ready to pop the pads, and lay the wood! ready to see which qb is gonna step up and take control of the offense! im ready to see the schemes that the new staff has installed! im just ready for some BIG ORANGE football!
FWBVol writes:
I have a feeling the Volunteer defense is going to "Kiffinate" a lot of teams. Be ware of the "Kiffinators!"
txvolsfan writes:
What's the over/under on the amount of tears Urban Cryer crys?
TommyJack writes:
There's no loper like a fake loper.
GotPearl writes:
Need some help! Can't make it to Knoxville for the O/W game and my cable system is awful! Will glady pay for a DVD or VHS of the game! Swain Co NC
Email if you can help! smtony62@yahoo.com
Txvol57 writes:
There will be a replay of the game on Sunday on Sports South @ 8:00 ET
scvols writes:
Sounds like a plan!!!!! Go VOLS
givehim6 writes:
The poop is we got a new QB now that's 6'5", 250 plus lbs. and make te bone looks like a shrimp.
orange__hammerhead writes:
i just found it on Comcast's Atlanta Schedule -
8PM Sun nite on SportsSouth Ch 53
i will record - let me know -
i can't charge you for it -
let me know
orange__hammerhead writes:
yeah, Rozier - look it up on GVX's Recruting page
maybe he'll be as good as Danny Ainge was when he played b'ball for the Irish - after a stint in the Bigs for Toronto
Spurrier was hot on his trail too, so it's looking mighty interesting
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I could be wrong, but I think Danny Ainge played for BYU.
I take your point, though. Rozier's extra maturity could be a big plus. Won't hurt to have our current crop of QBs looking over their shoulders. Goodness knows, none of them have any room for complacency.
annemarie writes:
One of the best things about the Vol Walk was towards the end of the line of players and coaches, and the crowd went balistic shouting "Monte, Monte, Monte" when he went by. Surreal.
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