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HOOVER, Ala. - So far at SEC Football Media Days, Lane Kiffin has spent most of his day answering questions about – you guessed it – Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin began his day on radio row in the lobby, stopping for interviews with stations in Knoxville, Memphis, Gainesville, Fla., Birmingham and two stations from Atlanta. Then he spent several minutes signing autographs in the lobby before moving upstairs.
His first stop, a small room filled with Internet and print reporters got a little tougher.
The first question focused on secondary violations. The second, on a months-old story about Alshon Jeffrey, a recruit who signed with South Carolina.
And while the questions were a little kinder in two rooms reserved for local TV affiliates, they still focused on Kiffin's personality and comments during the offseason.
“This isn't about me,” Kiffin said, in a response to whether he was cultivating an image as a “maverick” or “bad boy” coach. “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.”
A few other highlights from the morning:
Kiffin said he heard from the parent of one recruit, in Knoxville on an unofficial recruiting visit, that the Vols are becoming a renegade program like Miami in the late '80s and early '90s. Kiffin said his response was to point out his team posted its highest GPA in four years this spring and that there have been zero arrests since he took over as head coach.
Kiffin has also talked about his visit with SEC commissioner Mike Slive last week, which he requested in order to dispel any concerns Slive might have.
Kiffin's response to the secondary violations has typically been that those violations have been unintentional and that no advantage has been gained by committing them. Kiffin also said he doesn't feel like the Vols are “way out there” ahead of other SEC programs in terms of secondary violations committed.
Kiffin, as well as Eric Berry and Montario Hardesty, are due in the large ballroom with several hundred print and Internet reporters later this afternoon.
More details about Tennessee's appearance at Media Days on GoVolsXtra.com and in tomorrow's News Sentinel.
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Comments » 20
GreerVol22 writes:
Give 'em hell coach!
McIntireIMP writes:
73rd!!!! that's just fantastic!
GaytorsSuckAndBamaBlows writes:
Lamaison heading to Tennessee!
http://jameschoynews.wordpress.com/
bigorange_inbham writes:
Going over to the Galleria at lunch to show my support for the Vols. I've heard there is a ton of orange at the Wynfery Hotel.
NashvillePreds writes:
V-O-L-S Go Vols Go!
vol4gzus writes:
Krusty huh.......just curious would you say that to his face?
On topic,4th place is realistic based on what is in the hopper. Coach speak clearly and don't call anyone out today.
Hickmc writes:
I thought Krusty was a sea creature wouldn't that title be more appropriate for the "Urban" legend considering their proximity to the ocean?
swordandshield27#325334 writes:
Just watched Kiffin speak...He was asked about secondary violations, the issue with South Carolina, and I believe the Florida game. His summation was quite simple...
That is in the past, I didn't say he would be pumping gas. Secondary violations are committed by everyone, but we are not doing anything intentionally. We have had to learn some things, but we are not some renegade program. He met with Mike Slive this week to inform him of that as well. Finally, he wants the team to be fundamentally sound and we are not in a position to overlook any opponent.
I am sure there are some who will find a way to bash something that he said, but I feel he represented the University of Tennessee well today.
swordandshield27#325334 writes:
One more thing...the online viewership jumped by 300 people when Kiffin was speaking!!!
StroVol writes:
So much more engaging and articulate then Fulmer. Nice change to say the least.
oldsmokey67 writes:
Any word on the JC quarterback Nick Lamaison.I'm new to the site.Any info would be great.Thanks and GO VOLS.
tdforvols writes:
Kiffin speaks anytime he wants. Now if you could only learn to listen...
orange_glory writes:
Krusty is a clown on the Simpsons
Hounddog writes:
I'm not sure what time Spurrier speaks,let's play football. Hounddog
smokey_vols writes:
Can you see any of the Media Days online?
spencer1989#206886 writes:
"Kiffin said his response was to point out his team posted its highest GPA in four years this spring and that there have been zero arrests since he took over as head coach."
I don't think Urbiepoo can brag about that in his Gator neighborhood.
NashvillePreds writes:
Hah!
Volunatic writes:
Uh oh. Looks like DC got the axe again by the GVX staff. Props to the GVX staff.
stevefrommemphis writes:
When is somebody going to ask Mike Slive why Media Days are being held in Birmingham, after he promised they would not be.
TommyJack writes:
Kiffin handled himself well. Most of the so called "journalists" lost their ballz when facing the man one on one.
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