ATLANTA - Lane Kiffin is staying tight-lipped about his search for assistants.
But the Tennessee coach might have something more to talk about soon.
A source familiar with the hiring process indicated the Vols could fill the first of their two vacant positions as early as tonight, and it would appear to be a return engagement. Kiffin refused to address specifics after participating in a Chick-fil-A Bowl press conference on Thursday, but all signs point to former UT assistant Kippy Brown being the leading candidate to take over as the wide receivers coach for the departed Frank Wilson.
"Well, there probably will be a decision soon," Brown told the News Sentinel Thursday. "Right now we're still working through some things, I've got to still work through some things. We've just got to make sure it's comfortable and everything is right when you're moving your family and all those things.
"We're getting close - real, real close."
Kiffin apparently hasn't closed the gap nearly as much as he looks for a running backs coach to replace Eddie Gran, but the wheels are in motion.
And it might help UT narrow its focus once it gets the first hiring out of the way.
"I've made a lot of progress," Kiffin said. "Out of respect to them and their NFL teams or college teams, I'm not going to get into names.
"I've made some progress, I still don't know the timeline, and I'll never have a timeline for you. It will always be finding the best guys we can find."
If the next one is indeed Brown, the Vols would be getting a respected coaching mind with a proven track record with receivers - both at UT and in the NFL.
A 16-year veteran in the NFL, Brown also worked two stints for the Vols between 1983-89 and again in 1993-94 under former coach Phillip Fulmer. He was most recently as assistant with the Detroit Lions in 2008, and he also spent a season working with UT defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin when the two were both with the New York Jets.
The source confirmed UT had already met with Brown this week, and a possible deal could be finalized quickly. The other vacancy could still take a bit longer.
"When we talk about having the best staff in America that recruits well, you'd better have it," Kiffin said. "We'll take our time to make sure that we do.
"I've made more (progress) on one and not as much on the other, that's about all I can give you."
There might be more to share soon.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 48
hokies4ever writes:
Welcome home Kippy,oh don't worry about the login name that's my wife. I will deal with her New Years eve!!!!!!!!
nwcs writes:
Welcome back Kippy!
hokies4ever writes:
FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just had to do that GO BIG ORANGE
stinky_pinky writes:
Question: Did Kippy and Rodney Gardner coach together in 93-94??
I think they did. That could be a nice reunion
DancingOutlaw writes:
you tried to out first yourself?
WLafIndianavol writes:
This would be a great hire!
Welcome Home!
gnm53108 writes:
Hot Damn!
marc_ash...Are you adams source,you posted this was likeley to happen a couple of days ago.
gnm53108 writes:
Correction Ward,not adams.
sampears writes:
Wait....how can this be...the program is falling apart...trolls help me out here again...getting good players..great coaches....
kaplan#211944 (staff) writes:
Kippy Brown topped the list as a replacement for Kiffin's staff last Thursday.
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/d...
LifetimeVolFan writes:
Does anyone know Kippy Brown's track record on college recruiting? It sounds that his coaching resume is very sound, but can he replace a Frank Wilson quality recruiter...welcome any feedback. Thanks.
mcallester9999 writes:
I don't ever want to hear a word from Florida again about UT. I guess they are trying to replace spikes.
http://www.floridatoday.com/content/b...
gnm53108 writes:
Thanks for that article...thanks for any article that doesn't involve the words scam,investigation,or hostess.
But marc_ash was predicting the hire would be Kippy.
But kudos for the great list of replacements,yaw hit that one.
badkarma01 writes:
Come on over KIPPY!
VolinCalif writes:
Now if you could use a little help! Oh well I'm too old anyway. Be thinking about you on New Years eve. Have fun.
VOLume27 writes:
I could SWEAR that a number of regular posters to GVX have jumped over to that loser Jeff Schultz' UT column on AJC's board. Am I mistaken?
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
I can't remember if Kipp was a recruiter or not, but either ways he had good receivers during both of his stints at TN, so they MUST have wanted to play for him...
Hrockytop writes:
Hell 2 the yeah!
VolunteerPassion writes:
Hey Witch Doctor, I was on one of the cbssports.com boards and someone had posted a link from here about the Chick-fil-a bowl and Hokie fan posted this comment: "Yeah, I was reading some of the comments from those clowns. Who is the joker who calls himself "Witch Doctor"? Do people actually take that guy seriously?" LOL i thought it was funny that were bashing us for saying they were morons when they called us clowns.
volfan112 writes:
It must take a lot of gall for a member of the site staff to post on here. You all have been pathetic the last week or so. This website has done nothing but repost stories that bash Kiffin and the Vols for the past 2 weeks. You all do realize the site name is GOVOLSxtra.com, right? Not gogatorsxtra or goNYTxtra.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
Holy cr@p! KNS reporting news instead of reprising their role as a gossip column? What is this world coming to?
Major_Magilicutty writes:
I don't know, but I need a new spot for my Vols news. The cr@p KNS has been shoveling out this past two weeks and the lack of coverage of our coaching staff (namely assistants) during the year has been terrible.
This place is a gossip column in a tabloid publication. A travesty of a joke of a news site. Some of these writers are worse than soccer moms with their rumors.
rockban62 writes:
http://13psi.com/who-are-the-gators-r... Hey guys check out these fine Gator recruits this is either sad or funny depending on how you want to look at it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jowebb15#441937 writes:
WBIR has reported that Vinson is off the team.
dvols writes:
welcome home coach B
murrayvol writes:
I think they didn't. Garner was at UT from 96-98.
givehim6 writes:
Good for Kippy what I rembember he's a good coach, not sure about his recruiting. Now let's get Gram or Trooper for RB coach.
CrankE writes:
Hey, weren't we called Wide Receiver U when he was around? Yesterday, it was the john boy and billy tractor band video that made my day.
http://www.thebigshow.com/video_day/v...
Today, it's Kippy Brown.
RIGHT ON!!!
murrayvol writes:
What's this "we" stuff trollbagger. You ain't a Vol.
Say you don't understand? I understand you've added another user name to your portfolio.
halloffamebowler writes:
first?
Thad123 writes:
this has been reported by espn since the first of the week
Volunatic writes:
I liked Frank Wilson and think he did a good job here, but Kippy Brown is an upgrade credential-wise. Can he recruit?
DC_Vol writes:
Excellent, Kiffin is continuing the trend of hiring coaches with NFL experience. If you want to play in the NFL learn from coaches with NFL experience.
Hey Vol fans everyone noticing how many great skill position players Lane Kiffin and staff have recruited to the University of Tennessee. Unbelievable how many great wide receivers they have recruited not to mention Brown and Oku at running back.
By the way, Thompkins personally called Urban Meyer to decline Florida's scholarship offer informing Urban he would rather play for Lane Kiffin. Smart move Thompkins. You will be able to catch passes in UT's NFL style offense instead of just blocking for a QB. LOL
vol_chaz writes:
Kippy's in the fold.. bring on Jay Graham...
volfan112 writes:
I agree wholeheartedly. I've had it with KNS. They're awful. It's like NYT junior or something.
BradleyJKinkaid writes:
not a conspiracy theorist, but i heard (in the barber shop) an interesting angle on our NYT/hostess woes. any of you think this could be related to pearl getting tobias harris out of NY?
another thing, i thought the story about the aau coach from memphis bringing his kids to UT was also strange. i understand he was bringing them to just see and get a feel for the school, and if he had a "run-in" with a hostess, whatever. but now his mouth is shut.
the whole thing kinda stinks, and i could see how getting the basketball commit could be a big part in all this if certain people were offended.
a story digging into this and any links between syracuse bb and the NYT would be interesting.
oh well
Thad123 writes:
During his first stint with the Vols from 1983-89, Brown helped Tennessee acquire the nickname “Wide Receiver U.,” coaching numerous pass catchers to greatness. Receivers Anthony Miller, Tim McGee, Alvin Harper and Carl Pickens all benefited from Brown’s tutelage prior to their joining the professional ranks. He also coached Andre Johnson from the Texans
Volunatic writes:
How dare they try to be a news outlet and print noteworthy news regarding the Vols?!?!
Volunatic writes:
I like the way you think. If we can't get Jay, is Travis Stephens coaching these days?
DC_Vol writes:
Any truth that Florida's Urban Meyer was interested in Kippy Brown? Saw some remarks on another forum or blog not sure if they are true or not. Where is the witch doctor to confirm or deny?
BillyVol writes:
If the coaching keeps coming from pro's, the vols may be the first college team to be added to the NFL league.
VolJunkie writes:
Matthew Berry had this to say in today's Love/Hate article:
"People even get a thrill out of posting "first" on the message board after an article's posted. That one always befuddles me.
It's as if you are announcing to the world: "Hey, I have no life. I was sitting online, clicking refresh over and over and then as soon as this story showed up, I rushed to the message board to post first. I now expect much cheering and adulation toward my made-up screen name that identifies me not at all. Revere me.""
Hmmmmm
Go Vols!
GahLee writes:
And rumored since Wilson left.
Barnone4tenn writes:
KNS volfan112 does have a point
appalachianvol writes:
ToneyBasilio.com
The best for the vol news! always read what "X" has to say!
vestc#256986 writes:
Kippy was and is a great recruiter. I recall he could go into Memphis and make it happen while also getting studs receivers all over the country. He is aggressive and knows talent when he sees it. Doors will be wide open for Kippy.
allvol9 writes:
Welcome back Kippy....so glad you are a Vol again. Great hire!
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Kippy is the shiznit! I went to camp at UT in '94 and learned a ton about playing WR, how to run more precise routes and more about audibles than I was ever taught in high school. Dude is the real deal when it comes to technique.
Lol, I wonder if he still calls his guys "hardheads" like he did then!
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