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HOOVER, Ala. — Of all the questions Lane Kiffin expected to get heading into his first appearance at SEC Media Days on Friday, this wasn’t one of them.
Walking through the lobby of the Wynfrey Hotel, the first-year Tennessee coach stopped to sign autographs for several minutes. A boy in an Auburn jersey, already bearing a few signatures, thrust a pen in Kiffin’s direction. After first checking to make sure the boy really wanted him to put Sharpie to fabric, Kiffin happily complied.
But for members of the media hoping for a headline-worthy soundbite or a poke at an SEC rival, Kiffin proved significantly more stubborn. Questions about all those various headlines in the offseason were asked by the nearly 1,000 media members in attendance. The answers, though, didn’t result in a stir.
“This isn’t about me,” Kiffin said. “This is about winning at Tennessee. Every decision that I make on our team or every time I talk to you guys is about winning at Tennessee. That’s how we’re going to be judged.”
The media panel, many anxious for their first interaction with Kiffin, convened by mid-morning on Friday.
Kiffin made his way through radio row, stopping for interviews with stations from Knoxville, Memphis, Gainesville, Fla., Birmingham and two stations in Atlanta. After stopping to sign autographs, the questions came quickly upstairs.
In a small room of Internet and radio reporters, Kiffin got an opening one-two punch about secondary violations and Alshon Jeffrey, who alleged that Kiffin said he would “end up pumping gas for the rest of his life” if he signed with South Carolina. Kiffin denied those comments at the time and did so again Friday. During his two-hour session, he fielded questions about his persona, the signing of Daniel Hood, the Pahokee saga and the way other coaches have received him so far.
He answered them all, and even talked about a recent question from the parent of a recruit, who Kiffin said had been told by another coach that Tennessee is a “renegade program” like Miami from the late 1980s and early 1990s.
“We’ve had one full semester of school, OK?” Kiffin said, recalling his response during a final session with several hundred print and Internet reporters early Friday afternoon. “A renegade program would never have the largest GPA jump in over four years. … We’ve been there over seven months and had zero arrests. To me, that speaks volumes about discipline.”
Kiffin’s offseason remarks — often publicized nationally — speak volumes about his confidence in his players, UT safety Eric Berry said.
“He just showed us that he had confidence in us, no matter what,” Berry said. “I think he has a lot of confidence in us, and we’re just going to try to back him up.”
That quest begins in little more than a month with UT’s season-opener against Western Kentucky on Sept. 5. All those headlines served their purpose, mostly intended, Kiffin said again Friday.
“We had to put Tennessee in the national media,” Kiffin said. “Do I love every single thing I’ve done my (first) seven months? No, I haven’t loved having to do it. But it needed to be done, in my opinion, for us to get where we needed to be.”
Some of Kiffin’s comments — means to the end of exposure — became a focus during conference meetings in Destin, Fla., where commissioner Mike Slive warned coaches about “self-inflicted wounds” and infighting among coaches. Kiffin arranged a trip to Birmingham on Monday to meet with Slive, who he had only spoken with briefly.
“I just thought that the stuff had built up enough,” Kiffin said. “I felt that his perception maybe different of me than in reality what it is. I think that when people meet me and they see what we’re trying to get done, they have a different view maybe of what they read or when they put everything else together. I thought it was very important to do that.”
Late in a day filled with hundreds of questions, Kiffin posed one of his own when asked if he planned on toning down his comments as the season approaches.
“What else were you going to focus on (in the offseason)?” Kiffin said. “There weren’t any games being played. The only thing to focus on was what was going on in the offseason.
“Now there’s real ball to focus on.”
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 54
bfowler1161#262198 writes:
Go Vols, We are #1
lomas98 writes:
I wonder what the tone of this season would be if Fulmer and staff was still in place? Not only from a fan perspective but media perspective as well. If Fulmer was the last coach to speak like Kiffin would the media stick around. I really believe the TN program became irrelevant with Fulmer on board and at least a confident head coach has brought some relevance back.
LiveFaith writes:
We are Undefeated!
HallowedHill writes:
UF is already one of the better teams of the decade led by the qb who many are already considering one of the best ever in college. UT has the opportunity to deliver the upset of the decade in Gainesville this year. If that doesn't get you fired up, nothing will.
GO VOLS!
Joevolsxtra writes:
Kiffin is about to whoop up an old #6 on the SEC!!
beachvol1 writes:
Give the guy a chance!!! You never know how it may play out...
volfaninwh writes:
by faith we'll stay that way
BigbearVol writes:
I'm just thankful that this year we don't have to hear about somebody this year tryin to sneak a document to our coach. That was getting so old about the whole court deal with Fulmer, and the Alabama Ex-coach. Go Vols, have a great year and no injuries.
chrisw2967 writes:
looks like kiffin has a plan and seems to be working.media cant get enough of him , trolls cant get enough of him.he hasnt even coached the first game.
the orange is getting juiced
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Hmmm, let's see... Vol basketball is still awesome when it comes to Pat's teams, Pearl's teams are a HUGE improvement over the previous few decades, and the football team could go either way. All the while, UNC's men's BB is awesome, I've never heard a peep from their women's team, and I think they still have a football team... Don't worry dude, at least your women's soccer team gives you 2 programs to be happy about. Women's soccer, LOL!
By the way, you're definately wrong.
RockinTop writes:
Just watched the replay (didn't get to see it live)..... I am so fired up after I type this I am gonna go break something!
I don't care what anybody thinks, I believe he will turn out to be a great coach for us! I believe there may be a few suprised by how mch better we will be....
And I hope he meant what he says and stops answering those stupid questions that are dead and old news!
Coach, you rock! Now let's rock the SEC!!
Go Big Orange!!
utvolz#637682 writes:
"UT basketball embarrassing the entire Vol nation"
Put the crack pipe down you dumbbutt! Pearl and Co. are rocking the SEC!
gcscvol writes:
more trolls..get a Carolina life.
FWBVol writes:
If the Vols exhibit the poise on the field that Kiffin showed at the press conference today we are going to be happy fans.
I don't believe we will win them all, but I see eight or nine wins with an upset win over someone to boot.
I really hope Crompton can pull off the quarterback battle and at last live up to the hype he had out of high school. If he does he'll be one of the three most experienced startering QBs in the conference and that could go a long way toward a successful season.
Bigger_Al writes:
You are wrong, as you hoped and expected.
What is even more wrong is Illinois paying major dollars and SUV's to somehow persuade hoop recruits to go to that cesspool in the middle of that corrupt state.
xvolx writes:
today was the first time I heard Kiffin speak. appears very intelligent with a hard job in front of him. coaching change should have been made 5 years ago, but better late than never. Let's support him and team. I'm just glad fulmer is gone.
FWBVol writes:
And how many winning seasons have you had as a college coach in any sport? Oh yeah, I forgot, none. That's why you are posting on this site like the rest of us rather than coaching a team up.
RJ_Vol writes:
Watched part of his comments on ESPN. He looked like a champ today. My hat is off to the man.
jerseydevilvol writes:
You care, you wouldnt be on here trashing vol football if you didnt care. You trying to make yourself feel better are you. Unc might aswell not field a football team, so you come on here spewing this garbage about vol football going down the drain, its ok keep talkin about the vols at least you get to have some kind of opinion about football.
swordandshield27#325334 writes:
If we go 5-7 this year with 4 non-conference wins and 1 conference win against UF, will we be happy in Orange Country?
I still see us going 8-4 at worse 12-0 at best (did anyone predict the 98 team to go undefeated? but I really just mean, no one has lost a game yet). I tend to agree with 9-3 the most because of our tough road schedule.
Regulator writes:
While I don't remember the year, because it was in the early-mid 90's, the UNC women's basketball has won a NCAA Title, they're consistently ranked highly in the polls, and compete for the conference and national crown each year. They're solidly on the second rung, only behind UConn and Tennessee, IMO. That's pretty good company.
Regulator writes:
Somebody's worked in a "Blazing Saddles" reference. Well played.
belayvol writes:
This is will give you a lift. More of Coach K.s plan to get the T in recruits minds. Per Rivals:
"Now the Vols are taking it to another level. Tennessee has purchased billboard advertisements touting the new era of Volunteers football under Kiffin and promoting the ubiquitously-talented Eric Berry. The images displayed on the billboards will be of both Kiffin and Berry. They will appear throughout the state of Tennessee, metro-Atlanta and South Florida beginning Aug. 1."
Now, that is brilliant to quote a famous beer commercial.
kyvol98 writes:
Harumph!
belayvol writes:
Don't forget the child support. Our little step-child 987 needs some new trash cans.
TommyJack writes:
Not to worry, Holic. He's no Vols fan. He's no TarHeels fan. Just a trolling mope.
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
Any coach will become irrelevant if can't win more games than he loses. To be fair to CPF, he finished 152-52, he won't be irrelevant in the history of Tennessee football. Still, the program was slipping the last 7 years, even if 2006/2007 seasons were decent seasons they were not championship caliber that CLK fielded earlier in his career. My wife says that CLK will be gone in 5 years, either because he can't win or will take another job because he was successful here. I'm very pleased with his emphasis on discipline because it will translate to some victories. The GPA scores and lack of arrests were a very refreshing change. He had the confidence to get rid of players that were very good because they didn't meet was expected of them. Like going to all your classes and passing them. As much as I loved CPF I always got the underlying feeling his players were lazy and didn't play with passion (the last 7 years anyway). Discipline and passion will be the only way we can beat Florida, Alabama and Georgia because they have overall better talent. Even CLK will tell you that.
GerryOP writes:
42 -- Fear The Kiffin...
VolFanNC writes:
Great press conference. Thought Kiffin handled it extremely well. Then was on CFL as a follow-up. Get pub for the school.
On a side note, this is for Claudette....its been 0 days since another FL player was arrested.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/spor...
kman29 writes:
how exactly was his 1st media day a "grandslam"? Some of you all try to spin anything into something great. Maybe you saw a different press conference with him than I did. All I saw was a bunch of "coach speak", nothing more.
kman29 writes:
In regards to your first question I thought it was interesting when Kiffin was asked about Tennessee's rivals (Alabama and Florida) and his thoughts on them. His comment was that those games are no different than any of the other games they have on their schedule. Im sorry, but for his sake I certainly hope he doesn't believe that. He will quickly learn that those games are VERY important when it comes to alumni and fan support, just ask Mark Richt how many questions he gets about not beating Florida every year, or how many times Fulmer was hammered for not beating UF. Maybe this comes from his USC days where rivalry games really werent a big deal, but in the SEC they are bigger than the rest of the games and can and will get fired for not winning them.
kman29 writes:
and all of that had exactly what to do with Kiffin's press conference?
bfowler1161#262198 writes:
Uh, it doesnt matter what is predicted, it matters how you finish. In 1998 we went into the season projected to finish 3rd in the east. Now what happened to those predictions? So until the season actually starts optimisim reigns! Even VU can claim #1.
SEAL_9821 writes:
Im my opinion North Carolina Tarheel football has been sunk and may never be brought up from the depth you are in. Your so called allstar coach will be a one hit wonder. You'll have a couple of good seasons and 1 or 2 good recruiting classes and you'll be back to the depths of the ocean. Tennessee is going thru what every other top program in the nation went thru at one time. Does Nebraska, Michigan, Miami,Fl.State,Penn St., UCLA, USC,TEXAS,come to your mind. Well, all these programs have hit a down slide the last 15 years and some are still on that slide. You can't be great forever. I do know this, we are in the top 5 of all time best college football programs in the NCAA. Go suck on them oranges and rest assure that Kiffin will make you eat them words in 2years.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
wouldn't that be great!! but you are setting yourself up for a tremendous disappointment. Fla. is #1 and a 27 point favorite. I would be happy with a 7 point loss to show significant improvement towards an 8-4 record.
GerryOP writes:
Woof, woof! Some of you lil' gatorboys tried to spin your loss to Ol' Miss into a good thing! Thanks for the lesson.
42 -- Fear The Kiffin...
chargervol writes:
I am going to guess who your favorite teams are. NBA- Cavs, NFL- Bengals, MLB- Reds, NCAAFB- Buckeyes, NCAABB- Heals. I'm close aren't I? FYI, Pearl has gotten the struggling Vol program headed in the right direction. Compare the last ten years of Vol basketball prior to Pearl's arrival to his first four years as being the coach. I believe you would have to notice the overall improvement of the program. You are just afraid Pearl has made the Vols relevant. You probably are a Vol football admirer. You became a fan when the Heals were all the talk in basketball and the Vols were in a funk. You do not want the Vols to pass the Heals, because you will be ashamed that you chose to hand pick another team and not be loyal to one university(fair weather fan). There really isn't any reason to come on this board simply to take jabs at true Vol fans. When the Dukies were drilling the Heals' eyeballs out, how would the Heals' fans of felt about the poster BLUEDEVILSRULE running his trap. Think before you make an azz out of yourself. GO VOLS!!!
TommyJack writes:
Is that sort of like Troll-speak?
TommyJack writes:
RR: FL is heaven's waiting room for old yankees.
volfan7 writes:
I beg to differ. Just over .500 and in a third rate bowl in December is not good enough. Kiffin has boasted and bragged continuously, and he needs to deliver the goods. Some people need to stop blaming Fulmer for all of the world's problems and realize that Kiffin is the one to be blamed and even ousted if he cannot get the job done.
Kiffin's insinuation that he misspoke in order to gain attention nationally is somewhat pathetic. A good coach does not have to slander and sneer to be effective. His winning percentage with the Raiders does not bode well for UT in the years to come.
GerryOP writes:
Yup, our BasketVols were the talk of the press last year. But, if you would bother to look at the facts, Coach Pearl said from day one that we were overrated. Think about it. A new PG, two of the starters graduated, two other primetime-players dismissed for discipline reasons, and, of course, Bruce Pearl himself had a couple of personal problems that occupied a bit of his time. But, by all means, ignore reality.
This year? Ignore us...please. See ya' in March!
GerryOP writes:
Troll alert. These dudes are so concerned about Kiffin and the Vols that they adopt a Vol name to get on here and dump trash! Get out of here lil' zzgatorboy.
GerryOP writes:
Well, looks like your mind is made up. Won't waste any more time burdening you with the facts. Ignorance is bliss and you're a pretty blissful troll.
Besides, this is a football thread.
See ya' in March.
CoachFulmer writes:
I think I smell a spineless bandwagoner! Carolina sucks, GO VOLS!
RockyTopRenegade writes:
I would think that July is about the only time a NC drone would even be able to discuss football, prior to the annual bloodletting inflicted upon their gridiron warriors by....hmmm...let me think...uh....Wake Forest?.....Clemson?.... Princeton?
Here is what really matters....
1. Our players love our coaches, have bought into the program and are working their tails off this summer.
2. Kiffin's first SEC media days demonstrated that he perfectly well understands his position, team, responsibilities and fan base.
3. The team and coaches are exhibiting a quiet confidence that they have given nothing away to any SEC opponent in effort or focus.
4. Kiffin is the leader of our outstanding SEC football team. Pearl is the leader of our outstanding SEC basketball team. They are both big boys well able to coach up their respective squads to beat any team on any given day at any venue.... be it gators or heels.
GerryOP writes:
Football troll, football. I'll joust with you on basketball come December ... on a basketball thread. Until then, "In Bruce We Trust."
BasketVols writes:
That article in the link you provided was the single most biased, whiny and self involved piece of journalism I have read in a while.
First, he starts off whine-typing about "Surviving" SEC Media Days are. Really? Hanging out with the premier football coaches and players in the US and staying in a posh hotel requires survival? That sounds like a dream to me. I'd go to sleep at three AM and get up at six every morning, and love every last second of it. You can get a good night's sleep when you're dead.
And it also denigrates the experiences of men and women, like soldiers in Afghanistan or people fighting through serious illnesses, who are truly just surviving every day.
Second, he goes on to type that the biggest "surprise" of the Media Days, his "moment on the marquee", if you will, is the Tebow No Nookie Nonsense. I literally threw up in my mouth the first time I read an article about this ridiculous non-story. But then, our blustery blogger further types that the some of the biggest "losers" of the Media Days were the "Media" and "The person who asked the virginity question." I think he just called himself out on one of those counts. Way to go narcissist.
Third, he types ("writes" is reserved for people with ability, he merely sits down and bangs on keys like a big, dumb pachyderm) that Mike Sliveball was the biggest "winner" of the Days. Feel free to tee off on this soft ball right here in this blank ________________________.
Fourth, we had a story about Satan's dog. I assume it's a Rottweiler and caused a woman to hang herself out of the window of the hotel while proclaiming her love of the Alabama football coach. I just got bad Damien Omen chill bumps. And I yawned...
Last, he slams Lane Kiffin as one of the biggest "losers". Way to jump on the bash-wagon you ignorant sheep! I have read many detailed critiques of Lane, and his admirable comportment at the Days. Almost unanimously, he was lauded for his maturity and deference to the SEC, it's coaches, Tim Tebow and even Sliveball. Kiffer hasn't always shown this restraint and tact. It just goes to show that Lane Kiffin the only one that's totally in control of Lane Kiffin. He knows the score and it's in his favor. (And have you seen his wife? Losers don't get girls like Layla.)
So to Mr. Walsh's World I say, "this is a great example of biased, yellow journalism at it's most deplorable". Blog or not, standards are still in place and he just crapped all over them.
Perdedor (which is loser for those that don't know Spanish or listen to Beck), you are a slow-witted, outmatched newcomer to this board and your recommendation shows that no respect need be shown you or your ridiculous blogger buddy, Walsh's World. No need to respond, you'll just further expose your idiocy.
-Paul
oldsmokey67 writes:
tarheelrules please go to a duke site.if u are really a tarheel fan u would go to a duke site.a true tarheel basketball fan could care less about the vols.I bet i know more about tarheel basketball than u do.without searching on the internet.who was north carolinas point guard on the 82 national title team.i bet i know.he's from my home town.actually vol basketball draws more fans than the lady vols.
oldsmokey67 writes:
hey turdheelrules.as long as bruce pearl keeps tennessee in the ncaa tourney i'm happy.because we are not trying to be northcarolina,duke,or kentucky.we are trying to be a steady ncaa tourney team.compared to how we have always played basketball in the past.I think we are doing just fine.i can name one team we will run off the court this year by 20 or more.memphis.they lost their whole team.we had 0 guard play and still should have beat them.John Pastner will be gone in 3-5 years.And Bruce Pearl will still be taking us to the big dance.memphis will be lucky to win 14 games this year.tennessee will win at least 20.other than kentucky we will own the s.e.c east.florida will be lucky to win 12 games.they are down to 8 players.Lsu is the only team n the west that will be tough.Maybe Ole Miss.
Razzle writes:
Anyone know which other coach called UT a renegade program?
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