As to precisely what was said between new Tennessee football coach Lane Kiffin and departing quarterback B.J. Coleman during their closed-door meeting Thursday, Coleman is taking the high road.
Kiffin is scrambling like eggs for damage control.
Even if the coach has some double-secret taping system, he seems to be guarding it more closely than Nixon protected his Watergate tapes.
Continue reading at the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
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Comments » 206
gohawks1 writes:
Too much fuss over last year's third string QB...
UTROX writes:
Ok, can we get over this. This article is absurd. They make Coleman into TNs version of Teblow. If he was that good, I think Kiffin and Co. would have definitely benched the other two.
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
BLOG: Colemangate could haunt Vols all season
And I COULD win the lottery tonight.
UrbanStopCallingMe writes:
Or even Fulmer and Co. would have benched the other two.
Fulmer had to be feeling the heat last year because of the teams performance, if BJ could have gotten him wins or saved his job he would have been played.
2 coaches, 1 with several SEC Championships and a National Title, the other a former NFL head coach and a college Offensive Coordinator with 2 National Championships think that BJ is the third string QB.
As opposed to:
Billy Bob who sacks groceries at the local Piggly Wiggly thinks BJ is first string All American.
I'm going to go with the coaches on this one.
ThurmondEppy writes:
What a dumb column. Trying to stir up controversy where there is none. The kid decided to leave. That's it. What's the big deal? What did Kiffin say that was so controversial? Colemangate? Give me a freakin break.
Volalumnus writes:
I was pulling for Coleman because I thought the other alternatives were already given enough of a chance and didn't do well enough....and hoped that surely there was someone there that was better.
However,
In the end, two completely different coaching staffs have had the same appraisal of the QBs.
I think what that really says is that we better hope the current staff can get the mind right of crompton.
gohawks1 writes:
Just a home town newspaper whining about one of their own. Wiedmer would love for this to turn into a big scandal, but it ain't happening. The boy just isn't that great.
HollySpringsVOL writes:
Another press fueled non-story. Drop it. BJ "Ego" Coleman was being a baby about being the #2 guy because he did a little better on the #2 team. Boo Hoo. Non of our QBs are worth a poop. All this does is hurt our depth at that position and make room for someone else who wants to be on a TEAM.
101st_AIRBORNE_VOL (Inactive) writes:
Wow, I didn't know you knew Coleman. I won't pass judgement on this because I wasn't there. It's over and done. But, of course, he's a good kid to you now that he's not a Vol. You'd probably curse his name if he'd stayed, started, and beaten UF.
You may think Kiffin is a jerk and a liar, but that's only because you're a Gator fan. You think lil-Urbie walks on water hand in hand with Teblow, but alot of us think they're both jerks too. Why is that? Because we're UT fans.
You claim to give us factual info when you post. Where's the facts here? It's just your opinion, and we all know what opinions are like... Gator fans.
mtnsvol44 writes:
Hey Wiedmer, is that the best you can do to get attention?
ethanfrome writes:
I don't think it is "absurd." However, I agree that he could have played if he was the better QB. He was third string last year- and that is not because we had two Manning-like guys ahead of him.
Do you notice how biased these Chattanooga articles are on this?
BIGEJ writes:
Working the day shift @ KNS on a weekend? KNS is desperate to sell papers with the likes of you.....GO VOLS
Slystone writes:
DC not everyone in Vol nation is closed minded. I believe many are patiently giving Kiffin his time to see what he can produce on the field because unfortunately that's where it matters. If successful Coleman will be viewed as collateral damage. Denial? Orange rose colored glasses? orange communion? Yep, much of that might be the case, but Kiffins our Coach and we'll ride with 'em or at least until we see how well he competes on the side line against another opponent. Personally that is what those on the outside really fear is him succeeding, not that he can't. Let's see what happens this fall.
Volalumnus writes:
One thing you can say now for Crompton over BJ. Crompton has always kept a positive attitude even when he was given the starting position, lost it to younger guys, and as most of the fan base continued to talk about how bad he was/is(?). Sometimes I think too positive... but he could have reacted differently and he chose to always support the coaches decision publically and look for the next opportunity.
Hopefully he can get out there and do more with it this time.
StroVol writes:
This story will soon come to an end. My only problem with Kiffin is the love affair with Crompton. Crompton is so good he deserves all 1st team snaps? Can't get my head around that one. He has the physical tools, but he cannot see the field. The game is too fast for him. Any fool can see that. All this Kiffin knows what he's doing shi. is getting a little tired. He has history with JC, and he's going to ride that horse. Sad that Neyland will boo that kid right out of the gate v. WKU. I love the new staff and energy, but this Crompton thing is dumb. Real Dumb. BJ is gone, I'm over it now. But JC is the starter? yippee fu..in doo
boro_vol writes:
Coleman taking the high road? I think a more accurate way to to look at this is that BJ had his ego hurt when Kiffin would not name him the starter, so he stormed off and spouted off to his home town newspaper before telling the coaches he was quitting. Seems to me that Kiffin isn't trying to spin this to make himself look good.
Bottom line is that BJ thought he should be the starter, and when Kiffin announced that the qb competition would continue into August, he quit. It's not a big loss, he wasn't that good. We'll be fine, but I concerned about lack of depth.
KJVol writes:
Bottom line, Wiedmer is a hometown hack with an axe to grind. He says that Coleman has taken the high road, apparently he hasn't listened to the ten minutes of streaming audio on the CTFP website. Coleman whines for ten solid minutes, while Kiffin puts out a positive press release saying that he wishes BJ had stayed, but Kiffin is scrambling according to this guy.
And as for all of the advice from the good-intentioned Floriduh fans, shove it. You just don't like that Kiffin will be assembling some of the best talent to wear the orange since the 90's, while urban crier will be at the Golden Dome soon, and the series begins to get a lot more interesting. Have a nice day!
Orange4life writes:
And you are a writer? Come on never heard of you, so let by gones be by gones, and let's move on.
Something had to be wrong if you can't beat out Crompton, and you stats were all against the 2nd team everything.
Thanks for what you did here BJ, let's move on.
dannyman writes:
I'm from Chatt and I think BJ is awesome, but... All this uproar here is just silly. Let's just move on.
TommyJack writes:
Wiedmar's article smacks of provincialism. Look, I was raised in Nooga and pull for kids from the area. But BJ is no second coming of Peyton. As to CLK not guaranteeing him the starting job--well that's just silly. Has he guaranteed our starting center the last 2 years a job? No. Seems to me that no one, excepting #14, was guaranteed anything. I sincerely wish BJ the best. I think it was BJ that was out of line here, not CLK. The Vols will recover with or without BJ. Good luck, kid.
gohawks1 writes:
"Much Ado About Nothing" - Shakespeare
givehim6 writes:
Totally agree. Think KNS beat this dead dog enough.
give_him_6 writes:
A homer article you say? You are darned right. Mark Wiedmer covered BJ from the very beginging back in Chattanoonga. So yes, he is qualified to talk BJ. And me being from Chattanooga and seeing BJ play for the better part of his Junior and Senior seasons, so am I. You see, Chatt isn't known for it's numerous Division-1 prospects. So when one comes along, there is some interest. And then, when one is out there that is intersted in UT, that kicks it up a notch. BJ is not jsut some hick kid. He is an honor student and one heck of an athlete. Did you know that the kid already had 80 hours accumulated at UT and was on pace to graduated in only 3 years? I guess not. He was also one of the most liked and followed LEADERS on the team. You don't get to be a leader by just saying "I want to be a leader". You earn that right. AS far as talent goes, there are many talented players who never get playing time at theirs schools because of Politics. Plain and simple. It's why Fulmer is no longer a coach. It's why Kiffin is coach. And it's also why BJ is no longer a UT player. I have been a Vols fan for nearly all of my 41 years and I have been a season ticket holder for 11 years. In that time I have seen the politics of college football played out year in and year out. And whether you want to believe it or not. This is what is going on. Kiffin is the new man on the block right now. So we must give him a little latitude while he adjusts to UT. I am fine with that. But how he does it...that is what he be judged on. So far, he has not looked good at all. And since I have known BJ a little longer than Kiffin, BJ gets the pass for me as far as who is being truthful. Think about this, if Kiffin was being honest, he wouldn't have waited so long to make a statement on such a very dicey topic. That is, if he didn't have anything to hide or that he was worried about being percieved badly by fans.
Go Vols
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Well said.
Just a doldrum blip.
ZZZZzzzzzz.
TommyJack writes:
Sly: Not my bidness who you reply to. But let me point out that he is not a real gator and is totally irrelevant.
belayvol writes:
Once again, you do not know squat. No QB has been chosen. Your analysis is purely opinion and that is all it is. Nobody here is buying your spin as it is irrelevant.
therewillbeorange writes:
Miss Cleo?
abnermc writes:
1) Coleman decided if he couldn't play, he'd take his football & go home.
2)The Chatt. folks are positive that Coleman was the savior.
3)He wasn't even highly recruited.
4)If he was a true orange blood vol as reported, this would never happen.
5)Chatt. needs to get over it!
6)I hope everyone feels better now that DC is making guarantees. After all some of you think he has factual posts.lol
7) So Lane is not a southerner? I suppose Oscar Meyer is?
BleedinOrange writes:
Thank You, well said
abnermc writes:
8) Florida boys are scared to death, & I love it!!!!
heyitsme writes:
My first post here - and probably not my last.... I've listened or read both sides of the situation, and I also attended the O/W game. Furthermore, I held "no favorite" to the QB controversy, and like many of you, I have never been to a UT spring or fall practice session...
April 18th was the first time I had heard BJ Coleman speak. He spoke on the postgame of the O/W game, and again via the Chattanooga Times.
With that said, I'm glad that BJ Coleman is no longer a football-playing Volunteer. This kid does not have 'reasonable' comprehension of his athletic abilities. Also, most will agree that individuals who appear to be this arrogant and out of touch with their own abilities, are usually detrimental to the entire team.
With BJ's persona, I suspect that most colleges, including UTC, will have 2nd or 3rd thoughts about entertaining this kid on their team. I just don't know how many colleges will be willing to sacrifice for a kid that will take all the credit in good times, and will point fingers during the bad times....
I hate this whole situation, but time to move onward..... God speed BJ Coleman, God speed.....
abnermc writes:
SCARED it is.
FWBVol writes:
As one who grew up, and currently lives in the Florida Panhandle after graduating from UTK, I can assure you on point 7, only a handful of residence east of Tallahassee are what I consider Southerners.
belayvol writes:
Best cure i know for an infestation of jackrabbits is a 12 ga. full bore and a bluetick hound. Sept. is wabbit season Doc.
FWBVol writes:
I don't know Coleman, but I do know leaders don't quit, they stay and fight. If this is an example of his leadership I can only wonder how he would have responded in the heat of a SEC battle.
volhallathunder writes:
"And regarding the notion that Coleman is making a mistake, only he can answer that. He’s an exceedingly bright, decent, humble young man."
Anybody listened to that audio interview knows this statement is complete BS.
tdforvols writes:
This appears to be a knee-jerk reaction by Coleman and one that will most likely haunt him for the rest of his life. I don't believe too many elite (or struggling) programs are going to line up to sign up the Vol's 3rd string QB. Good luck though wherever you wind up!
OrangePower11 writes:
Ole Urb is the EXACT same way and you, along with everyone else in America knows it...The difference, and it is a large one, is that Urb wins, wins often, wins big and wins rings...therefore, his short-comings get swept under the rug. (see Saban, Carrol, Tressell, and any other successful DI coach)
I'm not sure how this thing was handled, but I am relieved to see that the "kid gloves" that had been worn for the past decade have been removed. Besides, who's to say this wasn't all an elaborate scheme to test his determination/resiliency? Until I hear the whole story, benefit of doubt goes to man making millions, with millions to lose, not a kid with a bruised ego.
StroVol writes:
Kiffin installed Crompton as the starter. And don't give me the phooey about equal playing time. BJ thought the decision was insane. Instead of watching the offense flame out with JC, he decides to try and get playing time somewhere else. Quitter my azz. Sound's genius to me. Get well Stephens, you're all we've got, if you decide to stay.
DennisVols writes:
Ok Coleman was a good kid, he had passion for the game, but in the end he was still in the pack. None of the 3 really and truly outshined the other 2. JC was better in practice, Coleman appeared better in scrimmages but was mainly with the 2nd team offense against the 2nd team defense.
We could go on and on, and on......
The truth is Kiffin did not Guarantee the job to Coleman this year or next year.
We all know that there is a high priority in getting a highly ranked QB to sign in the next class. Starting Coleman this year would not guarantee him the starting job next year. That is what was discussed in the meeting. BJ wanted to be assured that if he stayed and won the starting job this year that he would have it again next year. That is not how it is played on Kiffin’s team. Outside of Berry, who has proven there are none better, no one on this team is assured a starting job all year long let alone next year. That is the way it should be.
Any Vol fan on here ready to settle for mediocre AGAIN? Who among us will be happy just winning 8 or 9 game and going to any bowl game rather than playing for and winning the SEC title and a BCS berth?
The current players, exception Berry, have proven nothing, not to the coach and not to the fans. We can’t afford playing favorites based on our limited opinions or that they are home grown or any other passive reason.
If you want a champion then you have to play like a champion. That means competing on the field in every play during practice, scrimmage, and games. It means you have to be willing to fight for your job every week and every year. BJ obliviously was not willing to do that so he quit.
Keeping it real
Go Vols!!!
belayvol writes:
Sorry Stro, but there is no declared starter chosen yet.
londonvol writes:
If all else fails, we will talk about his shirt???????
Two vastly different coaching staffs decided that he was third string, why??
Too much press for a obviously D2 or lower QB, also the Press is trying to sell a few newspapers during baseball season.
StroVol writes:
Well this crowd sure does put a lot of stock in 1st team reps and 2nd team. If your Stephens and Coleman getting 2nd team reps, you must be a 3rd string loser, and nobody needs ya, Because your stats are tainted. I'm just a little sour because I think Coleman could have managed a game without giving it away. I saw that garbage for 13weeks last year. Hope I'm wrong, it would be nice to go work on Monday this fall in good mood.
belayvol writes:
I think BJ had as good a chance to start games and any of them. I would be surprised to see anyone named a one and only starter. I think K will rotate out QB's as the teams we play change. But that is just my opinion and well know what that is worth. Oh and i was pulling for BJ.
ctownvol writes:
You say it ticked you off when Kiffin bad-mouthed Meyer, yet here you are spewing venom at a man you have never met. Something about the goose and the gander applies here DC. I expected more out of you my man. Oh well.
kman29 writes:
Sorry but Kiffin did not win ANY national titles when he was offensive cordinator. He took over duties in 2005.
ctownvol writes:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/12...
Bunch of no class convict thugs. Gator nation should be proud.
mjaichele writes:
Where did this Weedeater guy come from? No way he could be a Tennessee Alum! "SHUN ON" FOR THIS DOOFUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
StroVol writes:
I just wish some folks would stop calling him a quitter. Although the definition would fit the situation, I believe Coleman wouldn't have budged being 2nd or 3rd fiddle to a Snead or Stafford. But you know it's got be hard to stomach watching Crompton. Maybe hard to stomach just talking to Crompton. "ya like a to play fooutbaaall BEEjay? MEEEE too man"
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Nice comments guys...but if you were coach of the Vols..you would of course play the QB that YOU think can win games..FOR YOU. Let's hope that Crompton has learned to throw the ball in the air instead of grounders.
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