Opposing coaches do more than just take joy when a rival school faces off against the NCAA; they take advantage.
That's what Tennessee's SEC brethren are doing as the Vols continually find themselves in the media for potential recruiting violations.
SEC coaches are making a push for UT's committed defensive ends Corey Miller and Brandon Willis of Byrnes High School in Duncan, S.C.
Miller's father told the News Sentinel that his son is still very committed to UT. Willis said his commitment wasn't quite as strong in a report published this week, but that he is committed despite the reports of UT's alleged misuse of recruiting hostesses.
The timing of the reports and when the reviews will be complete amps up the recruitment of the dynamic duo. Both are planning to enroll in January so there's not a lot of time for contemplating.
As for those schools testing the pair's commitment levels, Florida State is making a push, along with Georgia and Auburn.
The Replacements: Recruiting, recruiting and recruiting will be the primary factors UT coach Lane Kiffin will consider as he looks to replace assistant coaches Eddie Gran and Frank Wilson.
And why not? Frankly, coaching running backs is no great chore. Most think it's the easiest position to coach. And Kiffin can help with UT's receivers if need be.
The Vols not only need great recruiters; they need great recruiters in certain areas.
Florida is one. The Vols have already gotten under Gators coach Urban Meyer's skin. That's a good place to be. And Florida has too much talent to overlook.
So one coach needs to be a solid recruiter in Florida; that's a given. UT's other hire needs to be a solid recruiter in Louisiana and Mississippi, just like Wilson.
Some might not think that's mandatory. Sure, recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron could recruit the area by himself. But remember - Orgeron also recruits areas of Georgia, California and about 48 other states.
You can't spread Orgeron too thin no matter how tireless of a recruiter he is. There are only so many hours in the day to get face time with prospects.
Use Orgeron, but don't overuse him. Securing a solid recruiter in Louisiana and Mississippi is a must.
Gran Gone: Losing Gran was certainly a solid blow to UT's recruiting. But for the optimists out there, another viewpoint is worth a look.
Gran going to Florida State makes the Seminoles stronger - and that should hurt the Gators. Prospects that want to leave the state of Florida will still do so, but those that want to stay close to home have a fresh new Florida State to consider.
Now, with Gran in South Florida recruiting for Florida State, prospects that want to stay in state often will be lured to Tallahassee. Some of those prospects would have surely ended up in Gainesville.
Remember Me?: Recruitniks won't go into full freak out mode if offensive coordinator Jim Chaney opts to return to the NFL. Perhaps they should.
No, Chaney isn't Wilson or Gran, who are both considered top-notch recruiters. But Chaney has proven to be a great closer. He'll likely never secure double-digit commitments like Wilson and Gran, but Chaney can zoom in on top prospects.
Many forget that Chaney was invaluably involved in the recruitment of tailback Bryce Brown, one of the top prospects in the 2009 class. Without Chaney, Brown could have headed elsewhere.
Immediate Impact: The Vols shouldn't have to wait long to see what the 2010 class can do.
Several commitments are hoping to enroll in January. The list includes Miller and Willis along with junior college defensive lineman Ken Adams, quarterback Tyler Bray, athlete Channing Fugate, offensive lineman Jawuan James, receivers Kenbrell Thompkins and Matt Milton and defensive end Jacques Smith.
Some prospects UT is still after are also hoping to enroll next month: offensive lineman Chaz Green, linebacker Jeff Luc and defensive end Bruce Irvin.
Irvin and Luc are committed to Arizona State and Florida State, respectively. However, I'm told the Vols have a great shot at Irvin. Luc looks like more of a long shot, but don't count the Vols out.
The heat is on both since they'll enroll in about three weeks. The annual dead period that comes later this month also will limit UT's chances to woo the talented duo.
Eye On: Cornerback Nickell Robey is certainly worth watching.
The 5-foot-8, 170-pound defensive back is committed to Georgia, but don't be surprised if the Vols make a strong push and land the standout from Frostproof (Fla.) High.
Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He can be reached at hookerd@news.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 90
VolInIndy writes:
huh
sidwalkvol writes:
has anyone given us the definitive take on why Gran left after coming here last year? Wilson's move makes more sense to me. Just wondering.
allntl1#565211 writes:
Man the more I read the stories on here the more I think the whole program is falling apart and the world is about to end.
Are these writers Florida grads?
dvols writes:
exactly,,,,big headline...no substance, a lot like last week! the malls sure were crowded today!
RockinTop writes:
No. I think you should ponder taking a job with the NYT. That way you and Thamel could sit around in your defications of inuenndos and rumors and live happily ever after. Clearly waiting on the truth isn't worth while to you.
vol94 writes:
Dude he is not trying to stir the pot but just concerned as new accusations will be investigated soon. We will not hear about them for a while possibly but they are recruting violations (accusations/rumors). I know it is giving Hamilton and Kiffin ulcers as someone is singing like a canary. Not sure who it is but definitely a coach who is reporting these supposed violations.
TommyJack writes:
Many are pondering on which KNS staffer you are.
Laydbakvol writes:
Wouldn't it be nice if Mike Hamilton grew a pair and held a press conference to say what needs to be said about about all of this krap.
notoriousBIGorange writes:
Your correct screen name should be Richard_Head.
jakethevolguy writes:
Why do you think all of these accusations and rumors are happening right now? It's all about getting recruits to question their commitments before signing day or enrolling in January. And, like Shannon Sharp, I believe most of it is originating by an Oscar Meyer wiener!!
chaos001 writes:
careful...CPS wouldn't be too pleased with that suggestion!
RockinTop writes:
Yep, the timing of it all makes it obvious. Kiffin has made good strides and our competitors are afraid.
And Vol94, dude, I don't buy rumors.
VolinCalif writes:
Please leave off the Richard and just make it "Headless_Bothends"
kdaff51 writes:
Layla?
volbald writes:
Hey, stay cool. Look at the photo. The worst case senario is that two co-eds went to a high school game on their own dime because two players who had verbally committed to UT asked the girls to watch them play. And at least one other co-ed lovely may have brushed her breasts against the father of a high school player who UT hasn't offerred a scholarship. All secondary violations are easily corrected by UT Admissions telling its hostesses not to go to high school ball games and not to get too close to players' dads. Time flies by and UT remains in the sport's page headlines and the hot topic of conversation among college football fans and recruits. By the way - anyone know who won the Heisman?
mlsoft#228820 writes:
It seems pretty obvious that all this has been instigated for one reason -- to damage Tennessee's recruiting. It is unprecedented for an investigation (ahem, NOT a formal inquiry) of what would at worst be a secondary violation, to come during the middle of recruiting season. Such things normally are done after signing date.
One amazing thing is that no one else has objected to the brazenness of the whole sham "inquiry" -- what the ncaa/sec does to Tennessee today may well happen to someone else later.
I hope that the full story of who started all of this and why gets fully outed before it is all over with. Regardless of the merits or lack thereof of the accusations, this has to be hurting our recruiting until it is cleared up, and I suspect that it will not be ended until it is too late to help with the early enrollees. Maybe not until signing date.
I hope that is not the case.
mlsoft
beatlecakes writes:
Wonder how many ghost NCAA employees, New York Times reporters and other newspaper, other SEC school fan and bloggers look at this site and make notes? Everything written, commented on or put up for discussion is fodder for sensationalism. We need to be congnant of the comments that we post and leery of the posts from others...it would not hurt to spend some time (as others do here) on the other school sites and not be afraid to set the record straight when neededed. Its a new world and information is constant!
mercuryvol writes:
Mark Ingram
go_vols_go writes:
Does anyone know of when we can expect a ruling from the NCAA? Especially concerning the "Hostess" allegation. I was very worried about the initial claim. However, the more I read the more I feel the coaching staff is not culpable.
JohnsonCity_George writes:
So, you got the night shift tonight? Why don't you make some phone calls, take some notes and do what journalism grads do, journalism stuff.
JohnsonCity_George writes:
...not Oscar's wiener.
Voluvr writes:
Rodney Garner.
tractoronthepole writes:
Get a grip VolNation! I haven't seen anything so far, jump in witch doctor.
tnnick writes:
How about the principal at the high school in Pahokee Fl who has been steering players to the Gaturds? And oh yeah, he just happens to be a Florida Aluni? Hmmmm
OldNumber7 writes:
When long-standing, typical recruiting practices start going under the microscope, it is obvious there is a worm. It's either Meyer, Saban, Spurrier, or just a Gator inside the NCAA that is worried sick. These issues have never been issues til now. You are pretty naive if you think anything else.
kman29 writes:
If what Tennessee is doing are violations, then what does it matter where or who the finger pointing is coming from? I love how so many Vol fans are more concerned with who is pointing the finger than in regards to if there is actually an issue within the coaching staff with these violations. Clearly its already been proven that the UT staff is more than willing to cross the line in recruiting and commit violations so its not as if we are talking about a squeaky clean group here.
webass writes:
No, the worst case scenario is two co-eds went to the game at the suggestion of someone in the Athletic Dept. and the trip was paid for by UT. There is a paper trail of the expenses and it will be quite interesting when that little tidbit comes out. Rest assured the NYT isn't a big fan of anything that happens in the South and they'll keep on this one until they get a kill.
That my friend is no longer the secondary violation that Tennessee coaches and fans think are so cute. Give Kiffin and Orgeron time and they'll have UT on probation and losing scholarships.
Still think any pub is good pub?
Alabama's Mark Ingram won the Heisman!
Razzle writes:
No but you gaytards can always dream can't you?
kman29 writes:
dream of 7-5 seasons? Yeah we did that, was called Ron Zook and then moved on to what the program deserved. At least for Kiffin's sake, Vol fan thinks that record is an amazing feat.
mm29680#645909 writes:
Maybe the kid just brushed up against HER breasts and the father got mad about it since he wan't getting the same treatment. Hell, I'm 62 and I can remember when that was heaven on earth. (Still is.)
roobomb writes:
The problem is the sensationalism. Much of what the NYT has reported on has proven to be false. It's the same as if someone began to report that Urban Meyer eats babies for breakfast every day, but when it came out that he actually eats Pop Tarts, the justification is, "Well, he eats something for breakfast, so we weren't all wrong..."
kman29 writes:
What has been written that has proven to be false? Not saying that any or all of it is true or false, but so far all I've seen is an AD who "was not aware of a violation" and a head coach who "didn't think they did anything wrong." Everything I've read has both issues still being looked into. That is far from anything being reported as being proven false information.
movol77 writes:
Richard_Simmons, you still "dancin' with the oldies?"
Psychovol writes:
Florida State where Gran went is going after UT recruits? Does this sound suspicious to anybody?
JohnsonCity_George writes:
Are you talking about "more than willing to cross the line in recruiting and commit violations" to commit secondary violations? Quick, off the top of your head, what was the last secondary violation and when?
movol77 writes:
Kman, your last post substantiates roobomb's point. The KNS article headline says the UT AD "was not aware of a violation." (Sensationalism that you attribute to the AD) Once hooked by the sensational headline, the first paragraph says that UT AD said, "he does not believe UT’s football program committed a secondary violation after a report surfaced into the actions of a recruiting intern." You made the jump of attributing the sensational, rather than the actual, as evidence of substance...just like roobomb described.
Secondly, don't be an obtuse blind troll and then try to rationalize.
What's false in the NYT reports? To name a few:
No proof of sign saying "come to TN" (but there is an innocent sign in a photo by a SI reporter with the girls gladly posing for with the sign)
NYT report points to "multiple" girls...turns out that multiple is "two", and based on the testimony of one of the players father, the two girls came at the "invitation" of the boys.
Etc.
JohnsonCity_George writes:
Lets start with the sign and the clothing. The photo proves that the sign did not say "Come to Tennessee" and the girls were not waring UT apparel. I think that was the "main" violation until the facts started coming out. Should we keep going?
RCVOLIN10 writes:
Been thinking the same thing. Seems if he had Kiffins back he would speak up. Could be he waiting on him to hang himself.
movol77 writes:
Funny how so many of you NYT KoolAid drinkers seem to believe that the UT staff had everything to do with perhaps nothing.
BTW, I find it more than funny that reports continue to talk about UT having six secondary violations in 13 months like it is unusual and monumental. (GA had six in nine months during this year, Ole Miss had five in last five months...Ohio State has over 300 in last decade...Meyer got fined six figures this year!!!)
movol77 writes:
BTW, I believe that Pete_Bell, Richard_Saunders and [GVX writer] are one and the same - Richard_Simmons.
Mule_Days_King writes:
Damn, it sounds like you need an intervention. You state that you don't care whether or not Kiffin is cheating yet your entire post is decrying the fact that you say they are. Hatred stems from ignorance or jealously. Which is it for you?
"Just as dirty as everyone else...". Seriously???
If the Kool-Aid spills, how are we going to drink it?
Besides, it wasn't Kool-Aid. It was Flavor-Aid. Get your Jonestown history straight. :)
ChattMac writes:
Not being picked on?? The NY Times bothering to write an article about any team in the South and evidently the only team in the whole NCAA regarding secondary recruiting violations?? And then everybody else picking up on the story and putting it on their tickers?? If that's not picking on somebody to hurt their team during a critical period then I don't know what picking on is...
Hardrocknox writes:
Well on the bright side , The SEC and a few ACC schools and some well placed lopers are absolutely scared to death of a 7 - 5 Team .
Keep up the good work Lane , we got your back.
UrbanCryer writes:
whats a "Heisman"? never heard of it. is it a popularity contest or something?
Bazz writes:
It sure would be nice if we could just focus on
Virginia Tech. Go VOLS
Mule_Days_King writes:
True.
kman29 writes:
I totally agree that secondary violations are pretty normal with every program. But you have to realize that Tennessee and Kiffin are going to get serious backlash with every violation because of the way Kiffin publicly called out a coach for cheating when the coach didnt. I hate to always go back to that, but that is where a lot of this backlash toward Kiffin and the program comes from with every violation. Its one thing to call out a coach for cheating when they truely did, its a whole other issue when you do it falsely in an effort to "pump up the fan base" and because of that media members and other coaches want to make him out to be a cheater with every move he makes now. So while its fair or not, Kiffin brought this on himself and the program. Unfortunatly for Vol fan, they are so starved for a winning program that his actions that have caused this are defended, despite only producing a 7-5 season.
movol77 writes:
Amen! KNS is leans on the easy side of news...selling sensational rumors. Bad news sells easily with or without artistic writing. In the end only two things really sell in news - good news and bad news. Good news requires investigative work and artistic writing. KNS doesn't really work much on it's own so we primarily get the cheap news on UT.
movol77 writes:
What's worse? Interlopers or Intralopers (GVX writers)?
Mule_Days_King writes:
Sorry I couldn't respond to this gem of intelligence sooner. I had to go to the john and take a Pete_Bell.
You seriously can't think of anything else to say other than "rent trailers" as a putdown?
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