Tennessee football coach Lane Kiffin addressed for the first time an NCAA investigation of illegal recruiting of athletes.
"In this situation here, I don't know of any wrongdoing," Kiffin said Thursday.
"We take following the rules very seriously."
UT confirmed Wednesday that the NCAA is investigating allegations detailed in a New York Times story that recruiting hostesses traveled out of state to help woo prospects to Kiffin's football program.
"Let me say this, myself and our staff take the rules and the bylaws of the NCAA and SEC extremely serious," Kiffin said. "We work extremely hard to follow those.
In this situation right here, I don't see, and I don't know of any wrongdoing of any members of our staff in this or of the kids that are being questioned in this."
More details later online and in Friday's News Sentinel.
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Comments » 149
FearTheVols1252 writes:
Case closed! :)
doctorfingervol writes:
You better be right Kiffin! Do not be to good to be true and represent UT with class,please.
DownTheField writes:
Is that the entire statement?
Sandman423 writes:
If he says nothing,he is guilty.
If he says I knew nothing,he is a liar.
If he said I knew,he is terrible.
wonder wich one the lopers will use today?
KiFFiNOMiCS writes:
DR.Fingervol...you sound like a Fulmerite from your post lol. Miller and Willis invited those girls down to watch them play...one of them might be dating one of the girls...OMG dude...lighten up man...Kiffin is in it for the greater good guy.
BCSStinks writes:
Isn't this still just a review by the NCAA? Did they file paperwork to begin an investigation?
I sure hope Witch Doctor comes back soon with some updates on this.
commonsense32 writes:
Listen ya'll, this isn't a big deal, at least no more than it is being made a big deal and I am sure that Lane and Ed O have this under control, as I am sure they talked to all of our recruits loong before this became a story.
That being said here is my take; Lane Kiffin truly had no idea what he was getting into when he accepted the head coaching position for the University of Tennessee as only those who are fans of, or who have been in the program actually do know the absolutism of the scrutiny on the Tennessee program. This program has the most INSTENSE fan base in the entire country and it is not even close, but as I said you have to be a part of it to truly understand. The media attention is intensified, as is the pressure of the SEC. Listen I know you will say that Ed O should know from his days at Ole Miss but it isn't even close. I have said for years that other programs, and their fans think they are intense, but nothing compares to UT, but you have to be "inside" to "get it". I guarantee if you ask O he will tell you he was absolutely unprepared.
The only other place that even compares is Alabama and they pale in comparison. Think about this Florida fans have three major players to choose from (FSU,Miami and themselves), GA fans have the Falcons, Tech, even the Braves. What I am saying is UT is a pride thing, whether you like football or hate it, it is pride, just like being from the state of Tennessee is a pride thing. If you were born and raised here you think this is the greatest place on earth, and it is but the point is, it is something instilled in you from birth, God, manners,mama,and UT football. I am not saying you gotta be from Tennessee to feel this way in fact you can be easily "infected" just start to follow the program and before you know it you are giving Hubbs 10 bucks a month to know what is going on before your neighbor does. lol
So with a loud mouth like Kiffin coming in and the intense fan scrutiny, the media only has to mention Tennessee and watch the boards "LIGHT UP" and papers start to sell, and I for one am willing to take the trade off of the negative pub for some NC's!
im4davols writes:
As I am sure all of us are doing at this time, I have read alot of material about the "review". What I have read has been overwhelmingly on the side of us doing nothing wrong. This is based on what CLK has just said, to the players father admitting no wrong doing, to the "hostess" reporting that she did not have a sign that referred to the player coming to Tennessee. So based on the above, and the fact that this has to be resovled by the start of the spring semester, I am feeling much better about the situation. If we are convicted of any violations, then only minor violations at most. GBO!!!!!
heyitsme writes:
Once completed, this investigation by the NCAA may lead to resignations.
But not at the University of Tennessee.
Vol86 writes:
I believe our coach and University. I smell a rat and I hope the state of Tn and government Reps will not allow our school to be singled out. I will stay firm and support my school.
chrisw2967 writes:
I still think all roads lead to the sewer in fla.It has to come out sooner or later.
Oh dont worry the trolls will spin this every which way possible.Until it comes back that Meyers was involved and then we will finally be done with the trolls.
doctorfingervol writes:
I am in full support of Kiffin and fully supported Phil's lazy rear right out the door. I am just hoping that UT comes out in the clear on this one. I really like they way Kiffin has recruited and turned Phil's players into winners however this situation is concerning to a degree. I will lighten up when this is over.
Volumni writes:
RRz, do us a favor and shut yours! Kiffin has been nothing but professional this whole season, and has run a hardworking, model program. You say that after hearing a rumor? P.o.S. Go cheer for Clempson.
DownTheField writes:
nevermind... they have added more of his statement now
Sandman423 writes:
I agree,if it were Spurrier he would man up to it.Hide the hotdog meyer will sit back and let others do his dirty work.
bustervols writes:
If this turns out to be serious, Mike Hamilton's head should roll.
Hounddog writes:
Exactly! Reporter in New York, maybe? But I am sure Urban can find something for him in. Perhaps, a hostess job. Unless Tearbow gets the slot first.
I did notice CLK kept saying, " he knew of no wrong doing with this situation,right here". But, please don't take that as I am hoping for more trouble. I think evryone on here knows the I am so pro CLK, as I was pro CPF and love this University. His wording bothered me a little. I hope I am reading this wrong.
Let's get back to playing football. Hounddog
roloyo writes:
"I did not have sex with that woman"
volatil writes:
This is a witch hunt, no offense Doc, this whole situation has a jilted lover(Spurrier) kind of feeling to it. I have yet to read anything that UT could have done wrong. Granted, these girls if they were associated with the University should not have gone to S.C and held up a sign, if that even occurred. I'm just saying there is a lot of he said- she said in this, not enough to convict anyone on.
Tgordon writes:
You wish. If the NCAA closed every investigation because the head coach said nothing was going on what a fine Christmas it would be. Kiffin was around Al Davis too long, like Davis he is dirty just not as smart.
sidwalkvol writes:
I am surprised, and pleased, about how quickly this thing seems to have lost traction. I think some of the saner articles yesterday, like 13psi and the other "point-by-point" one, have deflated most of the huffing and puffing.
Even if the coaches knew the girls had made the trip in October, they can no more control those girls on a Friday night than they can keep no-brain recruits from visiting the Pilot at two in the morning.
Hormones are what they are, and college dorms and HS football fields are prime, uh, breeding grounds.
This is twice that scrutiny has been turned on us, I believe, from the outside (and I think from the east side rather than the south side), unless it is some of Phil and Vicky's minions in the mistaken notion we will want him back. The Bryce Brown thing lost steam very quickly. This seems to be, as well. Listened to Charlotte sports talk all afternoon and heard nary a mention of it. That is good news.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
THE NEW YORK TIMES , NCAA , SEC REFEREES , WHAT A JOKE ........
HANG IN THERE COACH .
Orangeblood13 writes:
no worries coach, no problem
sidwalkvol writes:
Requiem for the New York Times... the paper that used to set the standard in journalism now follows the tabloid pack with rumor, inuendo and personal axe-grinding. Thamel is making the circuit, bless his Urban-loving heart.
BCSStinks writes:
So when this comes to pass will the young lady that has been accused of "things" have any legal recourse? This kind of thing could cause problems for her down the road.
KiFFiNOMiCS writes:
AMEN brother! Lay the law down son!
GotPearl writes:
Could you please post a link where the coach said "keep them off my campus" First time I heard this. Thanks
GreerVol22 writes:
Rich,
I live in Greenville SC, and the Byrnes coach took a lot of heat locally from Clemson and USC alums when those two recruits commited to UT. At this point he will say anything to get the locals off his arse...he just lost the state Championship to Dorman HS too so his motivation is to in any way possible save face. I wouldn't trust what he says for squat.
FirstandTen writes:
I smell Urban Meyer!
RockyTopRenegade writes:
This is good stuff..........gotta admit it's a lot more fun this Dec than last.
Best I can tell Kiffin & Co. will-
-get more recruits signed because they will now see on facebook a great representation of the tremendous beauties that grace our fair campus.
-turn this into "the world is after us" motivation for our team's bowl preparation.
-laugh behind closed doors until hyperventilated, "THIS is ALL THEY'VE GOT? And they are comming after us THIS HARD? MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!"
-the link to whoever started this game will be exposed. Then lilwayne will record a rap about that one!
-then get more recruits to sign.
FEARinSEC writes:
Tgordon, you have been around the GATROLLS too long!
Saying that Al Davis is smart shows us plenty about your own intellect!
Thanks for sharing!
FEARinSEC writes:
Is that the original RR or is it the evil nemesis RR????
Thad123 writes:
This is the espn insider post today headline read minor infraction at most
News broke yesterday that the NCAA inquiry into Tennessee's recruiting practices is focused on the school's use of hostesses, who in some cases traveled hundreds of miles to see high school prospects play and urge them to come to Knoxville.
The hostess group, the Orange Pride, has been around for a while, and what might save the Vols is that they are employed by the admissions office, not the athletic department.
John Adams of the Knoxville News Sentinel writes that these are minor violations, and they should blow over: "Unless the NCAA can prove the hostesses were on the clock and under orders from UT, there's no major violation. Without that evidence, the young women are merely zealous fans at best or rogue hostesses at worst," he writes.
Since Lane Kiffin was hired as coach one year ago, the Times says the Vols have committed at least six secondary violations, with no repercussions. This should make it seven.
Dave Hooker of the News Sentinel provides some insight into Tennessee's recruiting approach, which involves group recruiting rather than assigning individual coaches to prospects. These relationships form the basis of any prospect's decision, and thus help maintain a commitment if a coach leaves. (The Vols have lost Eddie Gran to Florida State and Frank Wilson to LSU.) This approach also presumably alleviates the need for other enticements, such as attractive female students, though that demographic obviously doesn't hurt. As top RB prospect Marcus Lattimore of Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) told the Times, "You don't want to go to a college where they ain't pretty."
At any rate, Kiffin himself has proved to be an energetic and enthusiastic recruiter, and the lure of playing for him, playing in front of 100,000-plus fans and competing for an SEC title is plenty to offer, even if the NCAA forces Tennessee to ban hostesses for a year or two. If the Vols haven't lost any recruits because of Gran's and Wilson's departures, they certainly won't lose any because of a lack of hostesses.
OTPVol writes:
Urban should be hanging out in caves with that other coward Oasama.
rockytopred writes:
I would expect this comment from a troll, but not from a true Vol fan.
jimr07 writes:
Love inside news. Keep us informed.
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
"...the media loves 'drive-by' reporting.'
Well said, Doc.
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
You mean Obama? :)
secsecsec writes:
I tend to agree it is a witch hunt- and one that probably wouldn't have happened if Coach Kiffin had kept a lower profile. But then again, Gene Chizek kept a low profile- and his program also got hit with a few sanctions for committing secondary violations.
I think the SEC and the NCAA is very concerned by the new arms race going on. Whether it is landing helicopters near high school football fields, using limousines for recruiting (Auburn), or bringing Lamborghini's to practice. This year seems to have had its "over the top" recruiting moments (but NOT necessarily violations) for various SEC schools.
I wonder if the NCAA is looking to use UT as an example of why secondary violations matter- namely- secondary violations gets the NCAA's attention- and no one wants their investigators to come calling- especially during recruiting season. Even if nothing comes of the investigation, UT is already being punished by the timing of the investigation.
kingwoodtx_vol writes:
I guess you have to be right. USC is never looked at by the NCAA, being a coach there is nothing like being a coach at any SEC school.
It kills me when people talk about Kiffin not knowing the NCAA rules. He was at USC for 5 or 6 years, plus duty at other NCAA schools. He, just like every other coach in the SEC not named Bobby Johnson get as close to the line as they can in recruiting. Urban Meyer is a pro at exploiting loop holes in the rules.
As to other SEC schools not Ala or FL not having intense fan bases, what have you been smoking. Auburn boosters ran off Tuberville and were actively recruiting a new coach while the administration was giving Tommy an extension. LSU has intense fans. If you have every lived in Georgia, you know the rivalry and intensity between UGA and Ga Tech.
The way I see it, IF the administration did not know what the young ladies were doing, we need some education. Unfortunately, the recruiting rules are such that you have to retrain everyone that comes into the administration. With the young ladies rotating through every three or four years, I can see how it would get missed.
GBO
stinky_pinky writes:
hearsay.....why don't take your own advise and shut up?
volatil writes:
The lower profile coaches don't get the athletes(see Phil Fulmer). If you're not pushing the envelope, you're going to be gone for other reasons, like not winning. What is wrong with be outspoken or arrogant?
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Calling Al Davis smart is like licking a wall socket while standing in a puddle of water. If you really think Al Davis is smart, I want what you're smoking. There's a REASON every NFL analyst says something (when the Raiders HC job opens as it frequently seems to do) to the effect of, "Who would be crazy enough to take this job?" Maybe for someone trying to make the jump from NCAA to NFL like CLK did, yeah, but otherwise? Wow.... You'd have to be blind, dumb, and deaf to take that job. There's a reason the Raiders suck, and it's not their coaching.
volatil writes:
Dude I love your name, that's funny. HOOK 'EM HORNS !!
secsecsec writes:
Coach Kiffin isn't innocent in all of this- the reason the media likes to "slap at Kiffin" as you wrote, is partly in because he loves the publicity and actively seeks it out- or at least that is how he has spun the negative publicity in the past- but anything to get the UT name out there.
That is why I have been writing here all summer of how foolish Coach Kiffin's comments and actions are- he can't win against the media- the SEC- or the NCAA. Why pick battles that can't be won? This is just foolish. As Lou Holtz said recently, "Never pick a fight with those that buy ink by the gallon."
I'm not saying that this latest incident is in any way linked to Kiffin. However, it is my belief that the investigation and the media coverage is based on Kiffin's past cavalier attitude toward the secondary violations and the SEC commissioner's warnings.
sidwalkvol writes:
Letter I wrote to the Editor at the NYT:
Amazing, and tragic, that once-great paper, the long-time gold-standard for journalism, is now a slovenly member of the tabloid pack. The self-righteous "vapors" affecting the media elite, and especially Mr. Thamel, rings as true as any other hypocritical sacntimony.
I wonder if the Ombudsman might investigate Pete Thamel's tissue of sensational inuendo on the Tennessee story? 13psi has done quite an interesting expose of his connection to Urban Meyer at Florida, in whose interest it would be to discredit Lane Kiffin and his recruiting (http://13psi.com/something-stinks-in-...). Other articles have contextualized the "review" (not investigation), and not least a 2003 Sports Illustrated article about the ubiquitous practice of "hostessing." Oh, but I guess the times does not mind being played to a particular school's purpose or a sport's writers personal bias. An op/ed is one thing; reporting is quite another, and what Mr. Thamel has done is a tertium quid.
When this, much as the Bryce Brown story, loses traction, who is going to apologize to UT, its fan base, or, most especially, the young ladies whose names, faces, and reputations have been so egregiously plastered and sullied on the internet on account of this raggishness?
Truly tragic.
ANGRYWOLF writes:
He means bin Ladin. He just can't spell, like most republicans...
This will blow over, the young ladies will be fired and more controls instituted so it doesn't happen again.
easleychuck writes:
RR2,
Enjoy your insightful and informative posts, if your post's timetable is correct, the only thing that I see that UT should have done was self report the trip when Coach Reaves was made aware of it. It would make zero sense for anyone in power to have allowed this trip if they had known about it in advance. We all understand the NCAA issue with having escort representatives having to follow guidelines since they are representatives of the schools. This sounds like a boy/girl thing, something the NCAA will never be able to control. Parents have been trying to do this since the caveman days.
The Byrnes program is a football factory down here and churns out lots of big time players. However, this season they did get their wings clipped in the state championship game by the other Upstate South Carolina power - Dorman. They had beat Dorman during the regular season. Maybe the coach is put out by the loss.
Not sure why you felt the need to put any of this on Coach Kiffin. He loves to stick the needle but he seems to doing a proper job in this instance.
WytheVol writes:
Volumni... I hate to break it to ya.. But CLK has not been ALL professional in this last year. I LOVE what he is doing on the field and in recruiting. But at some point, he has to turn the tide on all this NCAA hooplah. It's his mouth and infractions that have started this. We want to blame Spurrier, Meyer, Bama, the trolls, etc... But it is CLK that did this. AGAIN, I SAY! I SUPPORT CLK, but have to agree w/RRz on this one. He needs to recruit, coach and shut up. He's a helluva recruiter and coach, and can talk smack with the best of em. Now its time to back up the talk ON THE FIELD not in the press room.
And no... I don't need to cheer for another team. I want my team to clean up their messes and be respectable on and off the field. Right now, we're not there. I am confident we will get there under CLK. He just needs some time under his belt.
GO VOLS!!!
TommyJack writes:
Witchee Dee on the mark as usual.
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