Tennessee's two new football coordinators have a lot in common as spring practice is upon us. They are both anxious to see that hand they've been dealt.
"The number one thing we need to do this spring is to find out about our players and make sure they're in the correct position," offensive coordinator Jim Chaney said. "I think our background in the NFL will help us with our evaluation of the talent that we have."
Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin says Tuesday is the real deal.
"I'm big on seeing the tape," Kiffin said. "We haven't been able to tape anything the players have done yet, but come Tuesday the cameras will be rolling. Players tell me that they can do this and that, but I tell them I need to see it on tape to believe it. We have to get these guys on the field to see what we have."
For Chaney, he's the fourth offensive coordinator in five years for the Vols. For some players on offense, the new playbook will be the third one they've had to learn. Chaney says that's a concern.
"Any time you come in, you have to sell your style of play and how you want to do things," Chaney said. "The guys are buying in real good right now. But, without question, it damages kids when they have to go through 4 or 5 people during their tenure at any college. It's now up to us to make sure they learn our language."
As far as calling plays, Chaney says that coach Lane Kiffin will the one to make that decision.
"Coach Kiffin will be heavily involved. He had a lot of success at USC calling plays and I don't imagine that will change. We haven't drilled down to that part of it yet. But, I'm at the point in my career that there's no ego involved. I don't feel that I have to do it. Whatever Coach wants to do, I will be comfortable with it."
What Chaney is anxious to find out about is the quarterback position.
"You know, I haven't really looked at a lot of tape of those guys," he said. "We've looked at a little bit, but mainly I've focused on one-on-one meetings with them in my office. It's been important to let them know what we want to do and how we want it done. Our evaluation of the quarterbacks will be done as we go forward from here."
Chaney has come a long way since being an all-conference nose guard at Central Missouri State in 1984. From the middle of the defense to running NFL and now Tennessee's offenses, Chaney has done it all.
"I was fortunate to work with some fantastic people early in my career that guided me down the path of the importance of great offensive line play. From there it sprouted out to the passing game. I've been luckier than I am good, and I've enjoyed the offensive side of the ball a lot."
While Chaney likes the offensive side, Monte Kiffin is all about the defense. In 1977 he was the defensive coordinator at Arkansas under coach Lou Holtz. It was during that season that the Razorbacks led the nation in scoring defense. Things didn't change much when Kiffin helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl championship in 2002. In the 48-21 win over the Raiders, the Bucs intercepted five passes, returning three of them for touchdowns. Scoring defense is what Kiffin stresses on a daily basis.
"It's pretty simple, really, the other team is trying to get the ball across our goal line," he said. "If we can take it away from them before that happens, we will have a better chance of winning. It is one of the five most important things that we will stress to our players, forcing turnovers and getting it the ball headed in the proper direction.
"I love professional ball, but I love college ball, too. Both games are the same, really. There are 11 guys on both sides of the ball and the field is the same size. It's all about having your guys in the right position to stop the other team and get the ball away from them. The difference between the pro game and the college game is the atmosphere. I can't wait to look up and see 107,000 fans in the stands with the band playing.
"I know that boats drive up to the stadium here and the team runs out through a 'T.' I will tell you right now, though, you won't see me running through the 'T.' I will be walking."
Monte Kiffin has been all football since he arrived on campus late last year.
"I have seen my hotel, office and the airport, that's it," he said. "This town is absolutely crazy about sports. ESPN Game Day came for the Florida game. I've been to men's basketball games, and the women's games are incredible. It kind of reminds me of my days back in Nebraska, except all they cared about there was football. These fans in Knoxville love anything that wears orange."
One major difference Monte Kiffin has found between the pro game and the college game has been recruiting.
"These guys recruit harder than anyone in the country," he said. "It's been amazing how much emphasis has been put on recruiting. We have meetings every day on recruiting. Listen, a coach is only as good as the players that he has. If you have great players, the coaches look like geniuses. We have some great players here already, but we need more.
"In the spring we'll work to figure out which ones are the ones we will have on the field. All positions are open for battle. Well, I guess except one … Eric Berry kind of has his spot locked up. I think we'd be run out of town before we got to coach too many games if we don't have him on the field as much as we can."
Monte Kiffin says that working for his son has been a lot of fun.
"It's a little reversed from the Bowden's and Spurrier's as far as the father being the head coach. Most times the son works for the dad, but this is a little different," he said. "Lane is the boss and I'll do what he wants us to do. My son knows the game of football and he has a way he wants it done. I believe in his way and that's the way we'll do it."
You can see the entire interviews with Jim Chaney and Monte Kiffin tonight on the Locker Room, Presented by Parkwest Medical Center, at 10 p.m. on MyVLT2.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
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Comments » 48
HollySpringsVOL writes:
GO BIG ORANGE! Can't wait to see how the team evolves in the next few weeks.
DennisVols writes:
It's Football Time In Tennessee!!!!
tennesseebee writes:
You gotta like Uncle Monte. I'm sure glad he knows we will be starting Eric Berry at safety! LOL!
dvhill100 writes:
The blood pressure is climbing steadily. I am so ready for all the nonsense on the talk side to end and let's get it on. Please, KNS, do something different and start publishing news on the team instead of cut and paste/link stories written by who cares.
This story is a good start.
tngivem6 writes:
Got my big organge blood flowing now...can't wait for the orange and white game!!
eb502us#225637 writes:
I'd personally like to see Chaney calling the plays. I think he's the more proven commodity, especially given what he did at Purdue.
Also, Kiffin has other things to worry about.
teampenny#658108 writes:
Hard to have a higher ranked defense than last year. On defense we will be fine. How we do on offense is the eight million dollar question. About what we have invested in football coaches this year. go vols
hotrodvol writes:
Kim, I can't wait for friday night. I've already informed my wife that we have a date 7:30 friday night. She asked where are we going and I said to UT's practice. I don't think she is as fired up as I am.lol
dvhill100 writes:
Agreed. I think LK is perfectly capable to call a good game, but like you said, the HC has a lot on his plate.
easymoney writes:
I bet we will not have many first downs against us after a 3 and 18. High rank don't mean sh1t if you cannot hold a team that has 3rd and 18.
UTandETSUfan writes:
Man I sure wish that I could go. But, I don't think the fiance would appreciate driving the hour to campus for practice (shes all Ole Miss).
easymoney writes:
Chaney will be in the box upstairs, LK will be the driver. Seems to me that USC did a hell a lot better than any Purdue team.
marinevol writes:
It seems like every head coach that starts out calling the plays on offense eventually turns the play calling responsibilities over to the offensive coordinator, and say they just can't be as effective managing the game while calling all offensive plays. I believe Kiffin will gradually turn more and more of the play calling over to Chaney as the season goes on.
easymoney writes:
I bet the team will be more ready to play at the start of the season than they have for the last 10 years. Can't Wait...GO VOLS
DrJCrown_theMagicMan writes:
OMFG THIS IS RRRREEEAAALLLLLY AAAWWWESOME!!!!!!!!
I cannot wait till football season.
I already know I am going to all the home games to party down and have a blast.
Did you hear what they said about that playbook we used to have that I hated so much that took players sometimes 3-4 years to learn... WELL ITS GONE!!!!
We have a new playbook THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!!!
I never used our playbook while playing NCAA football 2009 on Xbox360. I wnet to a prostyle offense as well and one the NC every season.ANyway I know its just a video game but our old playbook was awful!!!!!!!!!!!
DrJCrown_theMagicMan writes:
I heard that Bro!!!!!!!
I also bet we will be fired up every game and will be a very ruff team to play.
After you play us you will know it.
I hope we play "explosive" on both sides of the ball like I expect!!!!!!!
DrJCrown_theMagicMan writes:
NOW lets start the season and "WIN" some games and knock some people's heads off!!!!!!!
tennezz writes:
Maybe we can make some half time adjustments now! Our old staff used the same plays the whole game!
wyomingvol writes:
Monty is The Man....
easymoney writes:
I agree we should have and could have won those 3 games, but if we had have won them, then we would not be here today with LK and company, we would still be suffering with PF and Spiderman. Go Vols....can't wait until the spring game....
yeavols#228407 writes:
OK..great screen name. I about cracked up when I saw it
hamsamrick#421285 writes:
No offense to Fulmer, but you guys are right, this team is going to be fired up. No telling what might happen. Looks like UCLA will be walking into a very hostile environment and face a very motivated and re-focused team (with maybe the best college coaching staff ever assembled). If we dominate the first two games, this team will be going to the Swamp fired up and confident. Great coaches motivate and their teams are extremely confident. Fulmer and Spurrier a decade ago, Saban and Meyer now. We lost our confidence. Couldn't ya'll feel it the past couple of years? We (as fans, coaches and players) have to get our confidence back and start going into big games expecting to win, not hoping to win. We the fans are just as important as the coaches and players! We need to show up to the practice, the spring game and all the home games fired up! Look at what the fans did for Alabama by selling out their spring game, it gave the team extreme confidence. Get drunk if you have to, but no fighting, just be very loud.
hamsamrick#421285 writes:
Somebody important (a writer, booster, etc.) needs to read this and the comment I just posted and tell Lane Kiffin. Coach Kiffin, "We MUST sell out the Orange and White game!". Coach Kiffin, YOU have to get the word out if we are going to turn this thing around. YOU can't do it by yourself! SELL OUT THE ORANGE AND WHITE GAME!
richvol writes:
AMEN...
hamsamrick#421285 writes:
Alabama fans were responsible for the team's success. They sold out the spring game and the rest is history. Did anyone witness them humiliate Neyland Stadium last year at the end of the game (and during the game too)? They had just as many fans as we did! The dominance in the stands was much more evident than the dominance on the field. The small percentage of GREAT fans on this website ain't enough (get the word out).
richvol writes:
She should learn to appreciate the things you have a passion for...makes for a much better marriage.
hamsamrick#421285 writes:
To the Writers, "Somebody write an article about the importance of selling out the Orange and White game!"
Sovol writes:
I hope the coaches fire this team up as much as they have us fans.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good point, but in all fairness that never happened over 2-3 times a game.
Well, maybe 4-5 against Bama's sideline tosses.
dvhill100 writes:
Unless something comes up, my son and I will be driving down from northern VA for the game.
hamsamrick#421285 writes:
Does anyone really think we can go beat Florida if only the normal 30,000 fans show up to the spring game? We won't have a chance, but if 107,000 fans show up to the spring game, WATCH OUT!
Also, they are planning a Vol Walk! Do we always do that?
jsm67vol writes:
Im not so sure that we will be fine on defense. Remember, these guys are having to learn a new system for the first time since they have been at UT. We definitely have the coaches who know how to teach the new defensive plan to the players. I will be very surprised if we field a top 10 defense this season. I think its possible but just very difficult for players to dominate in a new scheme. IMO, vol fans will be much more surprised with the improvement on the O side of the ball. We were so bad last year that any consistency even against W. KY will be an improvement from what the vol faithful had to endure all last season. The vols have so much room for improvement on O and it will be hard to improve on defensive from lasr year. Anyway, its gonna be fun to watch!! GO VOLS!!!
dvhill100 writes:
I think we'll maintain on defense. Let's face it, with any kind of offense we would have had even better defensive stats. The big improvement (and it won't take much) will be on the offense. Look at the difference between Ainge's year before and after Cutcliffe came back to run the offense.
The fact we have W. KY will allow us to work out a lot of kinks. UCLA will be interesting as they should also dramatically improve with another year under Chow and Neuheisel's recruiting. These two games should give the team and coaches a lot of information on what they need to work on. By the time we get to FL, we should be a much better team.
rootin4volz writes:
Fantastic! And PLEASE, can one of you guys get our Special Teams ship back on course?!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Some good points here, but I think the biggest difference on the defense is that we will have our best players on the field. We couldn't be sure that was the case the last few years.
Also, as others have said, even a little improvement in the offense will help the defense a lot and vice versa. One poster, who was probably joking, said we "only" gave up 2-3 of those 3d-and-longs a game; well, that translates to about an extra 4-6 minutes of lost time of possession for our offense and significantly worse starting field position.
By the same token, every 3d-and-short that we DIDN'T pick up was another 2-3 minutes the defense had to stay on the field with a shorter field to defend. So if we merely cut down the number of 3d-and-longs we give up--just by one or two a game!--and pick up another 3d-and-short or two per game, eliminate the stupid false-start penalties, and improve the special teams by just a little, we will be much better on the field.
Put that way, it doesn't really sound like we have THAT far to go even with essentially the same personnel on the squad. Most of us think that improved conditioning, more focus, and better discipline will have that effect. That's what we HOPE, anyway(;-P)!
1manningfan writes:
Just to let you guys all know that Nick Stephens will be out for spring practice with a broken hand. Kiffin pretty much said that it is a two man race now for the starting QB position between Coleman and Crompton.
Sources: Volquest and Volnation. KNS is just always slow so expect it coming very soon.
volroadwarrior writes:
Chaney has a good point about the 3rd system in 3 years for these guys. Hopefully one of the QBs and the OL can adapt and have a break out season.
TommyJack writes:
Broke hand, how?
1manningfan writes:
Don't know didn't say just said undisclosed reason
TommyJack writes:
thanks. That's BAD, BAD, news.
wagee12 writes:
teampenny#658108 writes:
Hard to have a higher ranked defense than last year. On defense we will be fine. How we do on offense is the eight million dollar question. About what we have invested in football coaches this year. go vols
Statistics at the conclusion of the darned season mean nothing if you can't compete with your biggest rivals. Chavis fattened up on sorry offenses last year, five of them from 107 to the bottom of the NCAA statistically on offense. We didn't force fumbles and get that many interceptions under Chavis, please, only accountants should be looking at numbers only.
easymoney writes:
2 or 3 times a game, 11 games...it probably didn't happen that many times but I still bet it was between 10 and 20...which is way too many! Go Vols!
teampenny#658108 writes:
Fans are slamming last year team and coach to much. The VOLS will be better overall this season. But the only rival I see them able to beat in the next three years is Georgia. The other two have better players and better coaches. Hope I am wrong. Go vols
GerryOP writes:
181 -- Fear The Kiffin...
teampenny#658108 writes:
What you say is true. Anything can happen in a game. I still remember Wyoming. I know there will be surprises next year good and bad. Wish we would have signed a QB this year and a couple of linemen. go vols
cjraney writes:
It won't take much to show a marked improvement in early-season preparedness. But yeah, that has been sooo frustrating to see lately.
OrangeMagic writes:
"The other two have better players and better coaches. Hope I am wrong."
I believe you are. I believe we have better coaches now and will have better players in the future. FL and AL with their current staffs will never be pushovers but soon neither will we.
Even if we do not see as many wins as we would like this year, we'll see effort and then combining that with the talent of future recruiting will make us unstoppable.
movol53 writes:
Two comments about the posts above.
I believe Coach K (and the rest) have not watched a lot of QB tape because they don't want to go into spring training / evaluation of the players with a preconceived notion about anyone (especially on offense). After all, the offense was new to everyone last year. Second, the team will be better overall if all we do is run the ball and throw just enough to keep the other teams' defense honest.
Besides with the defense we will have "quick kick" the ball on third down and let our defense intercept and recover fumbles and do most of the scoring for us. (I'm kidding just a little on number two).
The next comment is because I'm a VOL FAN in all sports (men's and women's; heck as a high school teacher in Missouri I even try to sell these kids on the academic side of UT (and I've sold a couple of them they are at UT now). I know this isn't the basketball thread but I hope the guys are shooting free throws everyday after practice. (i hope they are shooting now!!!!) If we had just hit 4 or 5 more that last shot "prayer" would not have made any difference in the game. This isn't the first game this game we lost because we can't shoot. I'd almost be beat by 20 than to lose like we did today. I know we did not play our best today; but with just a few more made free throws we would have won even without playing our best. WOW it just hit me why the BB guys are having trouble with free throws - - maybe they think they ARE suppose to THROW IT instead of shoot it. After all they are called "free throws".
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