MEMPHIS - Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin walked to the lectern at the Memphis Hilton, picked up the microphone and grinned that boyish grin.
“Just so we all understand each other,” he said. “Just so we’re on the same page, we will calm down so we don’t offend anyone else around the conference.”
The assembled Tennessee fans broke into uproarious laughter at that one.
So Florida can’t take a little ribbing, eh? So Florida coach Urban Meyer got his orange and blue knickers in a twist?
“It was a tongue-in-cheek thing,” said Monte Kiffin, Tennessee’s new defensive coordinator and Lane Kiffin’s dad. “I was there. Everyone cracked up. Loosen up a little bit, OK?”
OK, coach! Next time your son calls someone a cheater we’ll know it’s just for yucks.
Knock-knock.
Who’s there?
That cheater Urban Meyer!
Oh, that Tennessee staff is a hoot. Too bad that stick-in-the-mud Meyer didn’t seem amused.
Less than 12 hours before his Memphis appearance, Kiffin had regaled a similar gathering in Knoxville with the saga of Nu’Keese Richardson, a wide receiver from Florida who had been expected to sign with the University of Florida but switched to Tennessee.
“I’m going to turn Florida in right now in front of you,” Kiffin had said. “Nu’Keese was here on campus and his phone kept ringing. One of our coaches said, ‘Nu’Keese, who’s that?’” He said, ‘Urban Meyer.’
“Just so you know, when a recruit is on another campus, you can’t call him. I love the fact that Urban Meyer had to cheat and still didn’t get him.”
Hahahahahaha.
That was the joke. Except for one teensy, weensy thing.
There is no rule preventing a coach from calling a player when he’s on another campus.
Don’t you hate it when that happens?
Within hours, Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley had released a statement demanding a public apology.
Then SEC Commissioner Mike Slive reprimanded Kiffin for violating “the Southeastern Conference code of ethics” by publicly criticizing a member institution.
By the time he got to Memphis, Kiffin had responded with his own statement of apology.
“My comments were not intended to offend anyone at the University of Florida,” he said.
Right. Because calling the head coach a cheater isn’t offensive in the least.
But is it smart? Is it prudent? Is it the right thing to do when you’re taking your team into Gainesville next season with Jonathan Crompton as your quarterback?
Nobody questions whether Kiffin has guts at this point. But they’re starting to wonder about his smarts.
At his first press conference in Knoxville, Kiffin said he looked forward to “singing ‘Rocky Top’ all night long” after beating Florida next season.
Then he really ticked off Meyer by trying to hire Billy Gonzales — Florida’s receivers coach — while the Gators were preparing for the national championship game.
He made a play for Georgia’s top recruiter, too. He hired Alabama’s top recruiter two weeks before signing day. He swapped public jabs with South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier about recruiting. And then, Thursday, he told that hilarious Meyer-is-a-cheater joke.
Understand, Meyer has the best program in the country right now. Understand, Meyer pummeled Georgia 49-10 last year because he was unhappy with Georgia coach Mark Richt.
So wouldn’t it be wise for Kiffin to hold off on the smack talk for a year or two? Or at least until he has a quarterback?
“Honestly, I like what he’s doing,” said Justin Smith, one of the Tennessee fans who turned out Thursday night. “For too many years, Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer said things about Tennessee and nothing was said back. I think coach Kiffin is setting a good precedent.”
Of course, winning would help, too.
Which is how this will ultimately be judged, right? How we’ll someday determine if Kiffin’s approach was bold or dumb?
If the guy wins, people will look back at this episode as evidence of his fearlessness. If he loses, they’ll see it as proof that he was out of his depth.
In the meantime, did Kiffin really plan to calm it down for his Memphis appearance? If so, how?
“We’re going to let Ed Orgeron talk,” he said.
Now that’s a funny joke.
To reach Geoff Calkins, e-mail calkins@commercialappeal.com.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 118
TommyJack writes:
Let it go.
bigorangejeffy writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
WiseVol writes:
C'mon. I hardly think the local media needs to add fuel to this fire. What Kiffin said was intended to get a rise out of the crowd and rub some salt in Florida's wounds. Was it unfortunate? Perhaps. Quit making it such an issue.
JohnsonCity_George writes:
Is this the ghost writer for John Adams?
volwalk writes:
oh no, lets keep our mouths shut and don't rock the boat---we would hate to go to gaynesville, with them upset and beat us by 39 points...gosh that would be terrible!
some of these media folks are idiots--Kiffen is showing he has guts and is throwing punches at the biggest bullies on the block,,,instead of knealing (sp??) in a corner and praying he doesn't upset the bullies(Fulmer's approach).
SEAL_9821 writes:
You better wake up and smell the brew my friend. We are in a new era and this ain't Fulmer. Let your beloved coach keep running his mouth and see how quick it catch's up with him. Face it gator fans, we are in the hunt again and it scares the hell out of you!!!!
BillsBrother writes:
The guys from PTI give two thumbs up to Lane for dissing Urban!
http://insider.espn.go.com/broadband/...
RockyToptoNeyland writes:
This is being made too big of a deal, the writer who did this article on ESPN.com obviously hates lane kiffin and tennessee after saying that we already started 0-1. So kiff screwed up, in 6 months no one is even going to remember this incident.
NoogaVol55 writes:
And my previous hypothesis is correct....every media outlet in the USA is talking UT...whether it is in a positive or negative light, they are still talking UT. And every HS player in America is taking notice. Alabama and LSU had the #1 and #2 classes in America...but Tennessee is receiving more press coverage then every other team combined!
Some say he is over his head.
Some say he is out of his league.
Some say he is disrespectful
I say he is brilliant. Heres to hoping this translates to Saturdays!!! Which I think it will!!!
BillsBrother writes:
Seal...take a look at that username one more time and I think you will see you were commenting to someone that is definitely not a FL fan.!
NoogaVol55 writes:
hahahah....i missed that too. Hilarious!
VAvolfanRON writes:
i can see meyer going to Tebow now.....'it aint fair'....'it aint fair'...
jperry88 writes:
As usual, Calkins fulfills his roll as Bud Light commercial's Mr. Unintelligent-Sports-Talk-Radio Guy. It still amazes me how a guy goes from an Ivy League law school student to an expert on Southeastern Conference football. But I have to give it to Calkins and the rest of Tennessee's newspaper sports editors (KNS - Adams and Tennessean - Biddle) for doing what they have to do to sell as many papers as possible before newspapers are extinct...make up headlines.
Unfortunately I'm old enough to remember another young, brash coach coming into the SEC a couple of decades ago who pledged to change the way people viewed the conference. He said fans had grown tired of the days of grind-it-out 'Bama v Auburn games and 'Run it up the middle Majors' at UT. A few years later reporters were so far up Spurrier's a** they couldn't find their way out.
I say 'Bravo' Lane Kiffin! The last five years have seen us come up in SEC conversation behind Urban 'How can I get Tebow 3 more years of eligibilty' Legend; Mark 'I'm a young Fulmer who can recruit 'em but can't coach 'em' Richt; Spurrier's return; Les 'I promise I can do it without Nick's players' Miles; and Saban's return. Why the hell should we apologize for being relevant again?
Hey Foley...you just got a top 5 recruiting class...you might want to talk about those guys instead of Tennessee's coach. Surely you're not worried a Vol coach is going to own your coach like, say, Bruce Pearl owns Billy Donovan.
Give 'em hell Kiffin!!!!!
BSweet writes:
I second that motion Mr. Chairman. All those in favor say "aye".
volsrm writes:
kiffin is showing the gators that the VOLS are no longer going back down from them, like a big bully that lives on the block. Coach Pearl took this same approach with them as well. I hope his confidence will show in the players when they take the field in the swamp and at Neyland. I hope our new coaches can follow the rules and not get the program in trouble with the NCAA. Nobody likes a snitch, but there is motivation now with other coaches in the SEC to narc them out if they should mess up. Fly straight UT coaching staff and make VOL NATION proud once again!
bls8617#370509 writes:
This incident was hilariously brilliant. As funny as I found it, I couldn't get away from it I even when I tried. It was the headline of virtually every website I went to. Then they talked about it on PTI and then at halftime of some basketball game. Believe me, Kiffin knows recruiting rules and this was an absolutely perfect way to get publicity right after NSD. Wow, I am impressed. I mean, worst case scenario Florida pounds us again at the swamp...BFD that would just make it 3 in a row. It's just a breath of fresh air to be rid of the panic in Fulmer's voice every time someone mentions Florida.
BillsBrother writes:
They didn't just talk about on PTI, they praised CLK.
It's more smack than I care for, but I think todays kids probably love it.
I posted the PTI link above in a previous post.
chrisw2967 writes:
sjt , your back, you staying this time?
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
sjt,
Good to see you again. I thought you got fired with the previous staff!
Observer43 writes:
“'We’re going to let Ed Orgeron talk,' he said.
Now that’s a funny joke."
Totally uncalled for. Sounds like something John Adams would write.
vol88 writes:
Sorry we disappointed you. We'll do everything we can to help you.
tnbigg writes:
I agree with nick...welcome back sjt18. I wondered what happened too! Any luck with the gigantic buck this year sjt18? Now...about Kiffin...he is the greatest thing that has happened to Tennessee football since we beat Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl to take a National Championship. I agree with many posters...no matter what you think...it's better than the dried out old yarns we're used to hearing. The man has a plan. The man has the ammunition. Let the games begin.
txvolsfan writes:
TJ, Do you get the feeling that he has been talking to Bruce Pearl about marketing and creating excitement in the program?
BuckheadVol1 writes:
I hated Geoff when I lived in Memphis and years later, I still hate the idiot.
txvolsfan writes:
What really bother Urban is that I've heard from several people who recruit that Urban is the dirtiest recruiter out there. I don't mean he breaks NCAA rules, he just doesn't hold back any punches. I think he realizes that he is now dealing with a staff that will do the same!!! Thou doest protest too much!!!
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
This is my mother, she thinks life is unfair, and is scared of her shadow, and doesn't want to offend anybody. Too bad the Urban Meyer's of the world thrive on these kinds of people. Poor Mom!!
yeavols#228407 writes:
Florida has a way of saying it's ok to rib and rub Tennessee with jokes (Citrus bowl, donuts, etc.) while their fans make disgusting remarks to get national attention. Spurrier was perfect at getting inside every Vol fan and Fulmer's head with a monthly remark. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this isn't part of the Kiffin game plan. Looks like the whole staff is in on the act,too. However, I won't be long until this site draws every gator fan, real and made up. KNS continually sponsors articles, stories, and events about Florida which only continues the onslaught of Florida loonies to the Volunteer world. Apparently, this story will be reinvented all the way up to our first game this year. I know it won't hurt anyone's feelings, but USAToday, ESPN, AJC, SPorts Illustrated have sports writers, too. I can only handle so many interlopers and Florida stories on this site.
bluetiger writes:
Yeah. It's the daily paper in the real city.
Love Caulkins. He just tells it like it is.
And just so you know, he'll call out the Memphis athletic program and players when it's called for. So don't think he's picking on your precious UTK.
Thing is, the Memphis coaches just have a little too much class to pull a stunt like this.
But I guess the coaches you hire are just a reflection of the fan base.
dvhill100 writes:
I have no problem with fans from other schools coming on this site. I don't care for the instigators or those who cannot or will not have a reasonable conversation. I also disagree with the UT fans that think their opinions are the only correct ones and think no one but UT fans should visit here.
I like the moxie Kiffin has showed. The "cheating" word was too much, especially since it wasn't. If he had changed it to petty, panic, etc, it would have flown better. I do believe Meyer will do his best to humiliate UT in the 09 game, much as he did GA in 08. Meyer has an unbelievable ego. I have very little use for anyone who refers to himself in the 3rd person, as I believe he did in his book.
Is he a great coach and recruiter? Yes. Apparently that is all he is.
cjraney writes:
Good points Keith. Mostly agree. Its likely we'll take some lumps this year, but perhaps not as bad as some think. That's why they play 'em right?
rusty_shackleford writes:
I don't read this clown's regular column...only the tripe tuscalossa john trots out here on GVX. My question in this...Is Calkins "for" anything or only "against"? I've never read ANYTHING positive from calkins the clown.
Must be a sad, bitter life he lives.
jimmieandcarolyn#291069 writes:
So let's see, it's OK by Mike
Slive for Spurrier to call out a possible recruiting violation by UT? Oh, guess he doesn't want anyone upset at FL. Come on, if its good for one coach it ought to be good for another! Something smells in the SEC office. No kidding!!
volfan_stuck_in_jersey writes:
This is what it comes down to... I don't know if Kiffin knew if it was really an infraction or not but it was funny. I would almost bet that even if he thought it was one he meant it has a joke. You can call it having no class all you want but "if" they really thought it was an infraction then I seriously doubt that papa Kiffin would let it Lane dump it on the world like he did. They would have filed through the proper communication first (which by the way was never done).
In my Opinion, he did this to rattle the big dogs cage (yes Florida is the big dog right now) and to fire up Vol nation because we have been in hibernation for a while.
Florida may beat us like a drum this year in the swamp (they will not hang 80 on us like some our claiming) but I bet the house that we will be awake for it. I was at the Florida/Tennessee game in Knoxville this year, sitting in the end zone, and it was sad. The stadium was dead and we were hanging in with them for a good majority of the game.
99gator writes:
sjt18's back.
and some say kiffin hasn't made an impact.
i believe this needs to die too.
but, we know it won't. kiffin should have been smart enough to know it won't.
now, i saw the video. i know kiffin is not a professional comedian, but it wasn't even told like a joke.
no one outside the state of tennessee thought this was a good move. the reason many of you like it is any time someone is going to belittle florida and bama, you'll be all for it. understandable. but, the punchline of this joke will be on 9/19/09. i'm not sure anyone will in tennessee will find the humor.
Volalumnus writes:
I think the real joke has been on the KNS staff.
First they were completely confident Fulmer was not getting fired then it happened before the end of the season.
Then they were so certain about who was going to be the next coach----ooops.
Then they showed they could predict which recruits were coming and not coming almost as good as they could predict the next lottery number.
All the while, the one thing they have got right is that the new staff isn't concerned about them.
It is funny how the real joke is on the KNS staff.
It is about time we had a coach that shows he is ready to fight. Now maybe the players will do so on the field, because over the last 5 years or so, the players have taken the lead of our coaches and given in to the likes of FL and Bama.
StroVol writes:
He took a jab at Urban Meyer. So what! Search the words "urban meyer and recruiting" . That SOB has been walking a tight rope for eons.
99gator writes:
1. the PTI guys know as much about college football as i do astro physics
2. of course the media loves this. everyone talks about doldrums. no doldrums. not this year. they have a story for seven months. wait 'til SEC media days. the media loves anything that gives them something to talk about.
i will make a guarantee. kiffin will put his foot in his mouth again before the SEC media days. it may be about florida, alabama, or the weather. but, he will say something stupid between now and then.
golfballs03 writes:
Who the heck is Geoff Calkins? I'm glad we don't have to read his phooey on a regular basis.
BTW, nobody reacted like this when Steve Spurrier claimed that Kiffin cheated! We're a little more thick-skinned than those sissie Florida fans. But message to the SEC: call it both ways. Spurrier gets by with calling Kiffin a cheater, but Kiffin can't joke around about it?
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
Excellent and spot on! Thanks for the link.
golfballs03 writes:
You know as much about college football as a typical florida sissy. Go cry about it you baby.
StroVol writes:
Keep em coming Lane! Before you got to UT, Knoxville was becoming one big YAWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
That's exactly what I thought. Lane probably should be a bit more restrained, but Spurrier did the same damned thing, and nobody said sh-t to him.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
do you not understand the difference between ridcule/rubbing and an untruth/slander??????.If LK had called our UM as "unethical" certainly i would have had no problem with that---as he stated it he should have apologized. And its a laff you mentioning donuts----its our own idiots who amused themselfs so much with the donut lines
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
That's actually a well-written article from a journalistic standpoint.
SEAL_9821 writes:
Thanks for the heads up bro. Didn't realize it last night, just been fired up at these other fans around the conference posting non-sense on our site
The_Greater_Pumpkin writes:
Calkins is a joke! I would love to have Memphis annexed by Arkansas and move on!
Caveman writes:
Caveman say Urban cry like "Pebbles" when she act spoiled. UT Tribe Leader hurt my feelings - boo hoo - why does Boy Kiffin man talk bad about NC Champ coach? Noone supposed to talk bad about winning coach who strut around like peacock. I am going to have Gator tribe AD beat drums to SEC big God. Must stop bad words from Boy Kiffin.
Caveman tell secret. Long-tooth Kiffin and Big Ugly Orgeron have strong medicine - Build strong Defense with Fire in belly. SEC tribes little worried say Fire. Caveman like FIRE!
99gator writes:
i don't know what the procedures are for being critical of officials.
and i don't know why spurrier wasn't reprimanded by the league for what he said.
i don't even know what the reprimand kiffin received means. does he have to go to a sensitivity training class or something? was he fined? i have no idea. i don't know or really care.
i personnally did not care about florida asking for an apology, because i wouldn't want one, nor would i accept one. so, what would be the point of demanding one.
what irks me is that this has come from a kid who has achieved nothing. you expect this stuff from players not coaches. kiffin has broken out of his nursery to go and irritate the adults. saban and meyer are carrying big switches, which the kid will find out about real soon.
no one has any fear of lane kiffin. no one. most people on here found the hiring acceptable only when members of his staff were brought on board as well. members of his staff are more respected than kiffin himself is.
now, i know everyone is competing to beat the heck out of each other. but, kiffin has managed to anger most everyone in the SEC. and he has done nothing. he has accomplished nothing. he hasn't even had his team practice yet.
StroVol writes:
Actually it's not. Reads like an amateur blog.
rocky_topper writes:
Actually, I think the biggest joke of the day is this article!
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