UT to report violation over Kiffin's Twitter, Facebook note

By Dave Hooker

Originally published 07:45 a.m., May 20, 2009
Updated 02:59 p.m., May 20, 2009

Tennessee is preparing to report a secondary violation by football coach Lane Kiffin although the first-year college coach was not at fault, according to UT athletic director Mike Hamilton.

The issue arose when a post was made to Kiffin’s Twitter and Facebook accounts after high school prospect J.C. Copeland committed to UT on Tuesday.

The post, which was on the social Web sites for approximately 45 minutes before it was removed, read: “It’s a beautiful day in Knoxville, Tennessee today. I was so exited to hear that J.C. Copeland committed to play for the Vols today!”

Hamilton said Wednesday the post was made by a newly hired assistant to Kiffin who didn’t consult UT’s compliance office before making the post. The assistant was apparently unaware that university employees cannot comment on prospects by name.

“You cannot post that type of stuff, obviously,” Hamilton said. “It was an honest, inadvertent mistake.”

This is the second time that UT has had to report a secondary violation since National Signing Day on Feb. 4. Kiffin mentioned another prospect, tailback Bryce Brown, by name and referred to him as a “great player” on the News Sentinel’s radio show, The Sports Page.

Secondary violations are common and often reported by UT and other schools. No punitive action from the NCAA is expected on such infractions.

Copeland is a 6-foot-2, 240-pound defensive end/linebacker from Troup High School in La Grange, Ga. He picked the Vols over Auburn, Ole Miss and Maryland among others.