Monte Kiffin, Orgeron introduced at UT

Photo by Chad Greene

University of Tennessee head football coach Lane Kiffin answers questions after introducing new additions to his staff on Friday.

Video

UT's new assistant head coach, Ed Orgeron, takes questions from the media. Watch »

UT coach Lane Kiffin spent Friday morning introducing two of UT’s newest assistant coaches.

"This took a long time to get done," said Kiffin before introducing his father, longtime NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, as the Vols’ new defensive coordinator and former Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron as the Vols’ assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach. "The two guys we’re going to introduce today are the best in the world at what they do."

"How do you like my orange tie," joked Monte Kiffin during a press conference in the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center.

The elder Kiffin, 68, showed the enthusiasm that has been a part of his success with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for more than a decade.

He cast aside any problems he might have adapting either to college offensive schemes or recruiting, and joked about working for his son.

Photo by Chad Greene

Monte Kiffin was introduced as the new University of Tennessee football defensive coordinator Friday.

Video

Monte Kiffin, the new defensive coordinator for the Vols, takes questions from the media. Watch »

"There are times when I’ll have to say, ‘Hey, remember who is Dad here,’ " Kiffin joked, then quickly added, "No, just kidding."

Kiffin said he will be a "walk-around coordinator" and not coach any specific position. With Orgeron’s hire, the Vols have vacancies for a linebackers and secondary coach.

Orgeron brings a reputation as one of the nation’s best — and most dogged — recruiters, as well as developer of talent on the defensive line.

Despite being wooed by LSU and the New Orleans Saints, where Orgeron coached defensive line in 2008, a late visit from Monte and Lane Kiffin led Orgeron to UT.

"I was really leaning towards coming to Tennessee the whole time, but when him and Monte showed up at my door, it just sewed the whole thing up," Orgeron said. "It just goes to show you, he’ll talk about my recruiting. He’s a fantastic recruiter himself. That just sealed the deal for us."

Terms of both contracts have not been officially released, however Monte Kiffin is expected to earn more than $1 million and Orgeron could earn more than $500,000.

Photo by Chad Greene

Ed Orgeron was introduced as the new University of Tennessee football assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator on Friday.

Orgeron will officially hit the recruiting trail Monday, however he’ll be on the road Sunday so he can be at a prospect’s school early Monday morning.

"I think you are going to have the hardest working recruiting staff here at Tennessee," he said. "We are going after the best players now.

"There’s no one that will out work us. No one. You better wake up early and go to bed late."

More details as they develop online and in tomorrow’s News Sentinel.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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