Lane Kiffin has done just what his new boss at Tennessee wanted him to do: Put the Vols back in the national spotlight.
And while the new coach has ruffled some feathers with his bold moves and brash comments, athletic director Mike Hamilton told The Associated Press on Thursday that Kiffin's statements have been "misunderstood."
"Everybody says, 'Does he really understand what he's doing or saying?' Yeah, he does," said Hamilton. "He might have been shocked initially or surprised initially at the attention that anything he says will get."
Kiffin was forced to apologize to Florida and drew a reprimand from the SEC in February after joking that Gators coach Urban Meyer broke rules in recruiting Nu'Keese Richardson, an eventual Vols signee.
"I have found him to be different from the media persona that was painted of him, stemming from those original February comments," Hamilton said. "He's not as cavalier as the media painted him to be."
Instead, Hamilton sees a football coach that is bright, focused on team goals and doing a good job.
And most importantly, Hamilton says, "He has gotten Tennessee back on the map."
"When you think about the fact that our football program was 5-7 last year, and we've got a coach that's not coached a game yet in college football, but yet, we're on the front page of USA Today sports (Tuesday) ... it's really quite amazing," he said.
"Now we prefer that attention to always be positive, but sometimes you take the good with the bad in that regard. I feel like for the most part it's been good."
The attention has paid off with recruiting. Kiffin has landed a top-10 recruiting class for his first season, including running back Bryce Brown, the nation's top-rated prospect.
Hamilton said he's also pleased with how the 34-year-old coach put together his staff of assistants - which features father Monte Kiffin as his defensive coordinator - has handled discipline and encouraged classroom attendance.
Kiffin was back in the spotlight Wednesday when Tennessee confirmed it would self-report a secondary violation of NCAA recruiting rules after a comment about a recruit was posted to coach Lane Kiffin's Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Hamilton said it was an inadvertent mistake made by a newly hired staff assistant who posted the note which read: "I was so excited to hear that J.C. Copeland committed to play for the Vols today!"
It's the fourth minor violation by the Vols since Kiffin was introduced as head coach in December.
Hamilton said the school hasn't reported an unusual amount of secondary violations this season - it's just that the ones being reported are receiving a lot more attention because of Kiffin's high profile.
Kiffin also has spent some time recently trying to smooth over relationships with officials at Pahokee High School in Pahokee, Fla., a place where he and coaches have been recruiting.
In February, he suggested school officials might try to interfere with Richardson's efforts to sign with Tennessee. Kiffin apologized to various school and community leaders, and just this week running backs coach Eddie Gran was allowed to attend a Pahokee practice.
The back-and-forth spurred criticism for both Kiffin and Pahokee officials on blog posts and Internet message boards.
Still, Hamilton isn't too worried about the fallout.
"Have you heard some of the things our basketball coach has said," he joked, referring to the animated Bruce Pearl. "Some of the things Bruce says sometimes are much more cavalier, but because the attention Lane garnered early on for some reason the media seems to be more focused on that. And that's OK."
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Tennessee 73, Georgia 62 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 73
JohnnyU writes:
Ready to be done with all this and see some games.
TommyJack writes:
I think CLK is too low key.
hotrodvol writes:
Yea he might want to crank it up a notch.
TnScooby writes:
CLK is definitely creating a stir with all that has happened since his hiring, some negative but mostly positive...but let's face it Vol fans, relative to the last few years, this level of excitement is so much better!!! Like him or not, CLK has revived the passion surrounding the FB program to a higher level than I can remember in a long time...you only need witness the reactions from Gator fans and other SEC fans!!
Go Vols!!
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
Wish that I was on ole rocky top,
Down in the tennessee hills.
Ain't no smoggy smoke on rocky top,
Ain't no telephone bills.
Once there was a girl on rocky top,
Half bear the other half cat.
Wild as a mink, sweet as soda pop,
I still dream about that.
Rocky top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me.
Good ole rocky top,
Rocky top tennessee, rocky top tennessee.
tennezz writes:
Givem hell kiff!
stayingorange writes:
it's non-news, but this article does actually say a lot at this time. Good to hear that perspective from Hamilton and if the Vols back up some of the brazen attitude on the field it will have all been worth it.
the10sevol writes:
as they say in the world series of poker, ham is "all in" with kiffen. i'm going with the team, so i guess i'm "all in" too. others may choose their own course.
umm, as for class attendance, it shouldn't be "encouraged", it should be "required".
as a vol undergrad, i figured that one out fairly quickly, go to class. you miss fewer exams and term paper deadlines that way.
at least, that's how it used to be, lol...
Voluvr writes:
woooooooooo!
Voluvr writes:
Corn don't grow at all on Rocky Top
Ground's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top
Get their corn from a jar
Once two strangers went on Rocky Top
Looking for a moonshine still
Stangers don't come down from Rocky Top
Reckon' they never will
Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me.
Good ole Rocky Top
Rocky Top Tennessee!
the10sevol writes:
don't the big hogmollies block the other students' view of the prof?
rofl...
thanks
Voluvr writes:
If Kiffin & Co. weren't successful there would be no controversy. If Kiffin didn't get Nu'Keese Richardson and Teague to go along with him, do you think the Pahokie principal would have had a problem? Of course not.
Richardson liked the Tennessee program better and trusted Kiffin & staff more than he did Meyer and his staff and that's whats killing the gator fans and Meyer.
Florida is so stacked this year. 2 deep at every position on defense. If we score 14, it's a victory and they are completely eaten up with Kiffin and the Vols...a 5-7 team!
Is that too much? The National Champs #1 rival is Tennessee. What an honor and show of respect that is.
MrBamSeydu writes:
Didn't Chris Low write this article??? I know I've read it somewhere else already. Govolsxtra = news fakers, not news makers
Voluvr writes:
Read the credits and you'll see it's an AP article, not GVX. I think it's your beddy bye time.
Voluvr writes:
We gotta take our hats off today for the state of Alabama. The media reported that the state capital building burned down in Montgomery today.
The fire marshall said that by the time they got the fire put out it had burned all the way down to the wheels.
Voluvr writes:
Well, I think you missed his point, but hat's off to Florida. No doubt they've done good. Any school could only hope for that.
You don't understand that he's speaking to the components of winning, primarily recruiting which he is winning even in Florida, instilling a winning attitude, revamped conditioning, and some real coaching that will include adjustments on the fly.
You do understand though that Tennessee ship has been righted and Florida will not be any better than they are right now. Also, the last thing in 3 yrs. the NC Vols will be eaten up with is 5-7 Florida and their new coach.
I mean eaten up with Orange Envy as evidenced by your obcesssion with the Vols.
thanks for playing.
NeylandWest writes:
It's how late? And you're posting on our site. Apparently, we are on the map.
Volomatic writes:
Does anyone know anyhting about vinsons shoulder? is it healing fine rehab taking longer
Volomatic writes:
anything*
Slystone writes:
And most importantly, Hamilton says, "He has gotten Tennessee back on the map."
Interesting statement when there are no wins yet, just media attention which has not always been positive. Not citing with DCFlorida, but I find this comment odd. Winning games and beating your rivals would be getting the team back on the map. If the Vols go 5-7 again or worst would Hamilton's statement have validity?
jcherrie#219531 writes:
He has the kids sitting in the front row of the classroom - but there is no headlines for that. He has 5 am workout sessions - no ear rings nor iPods but there are not headlines for that.
He signed a kid, Bryce Brown, that scouts are saying is comparable to Adrian Peterson and Ronnie Brown.
This is in a few months. Tebow is going to go. Meyer and his ugly wife are going to hit the road. In 2 years the Gators are in the tank.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Punk??
No a punk posts 15 times a day trying to piss people off. So if you only 5 minutes - reading the blogs and article (and you probably spend more) - you've spent over 25 hours this month on a Vol Site.
That's the definition of ultimate punk. Another loser gator fan with no life.
jinbenton writes:
Hats off to Florida. They have accomplished a lot, no doubt. But to the point of Tennessee being back on the map, anything Kiffin does is going to be put under a microscope by the sports media, all in an effort to keep him from being successful and trying to deter recruits from signing with the vols. It's called FEAR.
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Me too, TJ. Needs to ramp it up a notch or two...maybe get into some of Coach O's Red Bull!
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
Rockytop38 writes:
Agree with your post..now lets see some of this backed up with some on the filed W's
iowavol writes:
Thanks for not putting the 'whew' in the middle of the lyrics. I like it better this way.
dvhill100 writes:
Yep. One of the benefits if we had hired Mike Leach is we could have used ARGGGGGGHHHH instead of wooooo.
great2batnvol writes:
well said jcherrie!!! Not a snow ball's chance in hell that I would even want to peak at the GAY-Turds web site. Fl fans remind me of BAMA fans:trailor trash
corrinebrown writes:
What else can Hammy say it was his "hire",sink or swim.They are bookends if one goes the other is sure to follow.
give_him_6 writes:
Congrats on what's happened the PAST few years. That's right, the past. You should be happy about the past years in Florida football. You have had some good ones. But you're always judged on your next game. And you, with some other GAY-tors have spent a lot more time than usual on this VOL site. You talk smack all you want about the past. But you are really showing how concerned and dare I say, worried, about what is going on in Knoxville. And with good reason. You now know that the Vols have a coach to take it right at you and will not stop. This isn't the Great Pumpkin anymore. And the best part is, you GAY-tor fans can see that. I give you credit, you do know football. That's why you're on here posting like crazy. Cause you know your days are really numbered. So buck up and enjoy the rise of the Vols. Heck...we even have a spot for you in the bandwagon after Urban Liar leaves you idiotic Lizards for the Golden Domers. LMAO!!!!!!
Go Vols
give_him_6 writes:
Sorry Voluvr, that was posted for our little lizard lovers from GAY-tor central about all their interloping and curiousity about our Vols.
Kiffin_fan writes:
Given the fact that there are so many fans on here commenting about the Vols gives Hammy some validity with his comments. I remember last year there being alot of excitement with the hiring of Clawson, but there was not any national media attention to the Vols. Now, take a look at most any major news outlet over the last few months and you will see that the Vols have been on most of them repeatedly. That is just the first step, you are correct in that. I think what Hammy was talking about being back on the Map was just that fact of the national attention. With all that attention, it will reach some kids that we haven't reached in the last 10 years. With all the wins that are coming soon, added to the enormous amount of national media that we have started, then yes WE ARE BACK ON THE MAP. ... Go Vols...
lildhoss76ut#638162 writes:
Gotta love the man he has made the Vols the talk of the sports nation. Good bad or indifferent it doesnt matter you hear about it. After we sign a top five class next year its back to the top of the rankings year in and out.IT'S GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER!!!!!!!!!
BigChiefLittlePecker writes:
BCLP say Hammy crazy like a fox. With Wise Man Monte and Medicine Man Ed, Brave Lane take many scalps in hunting season.
kman29 writes:
What does Teague have to do with Pahokee? You do know that he is from the state of Tennessee not Florida right?
As for why they picked UT over UF. Come on now, because they trusted Kiffin more than Meyer??? LOL! Yeah I don't think Meyer asked any of them to lie, but alright. You have to be a complete moron to not know that the simple reason they picked UT was because they would see the field quicker there than at UF. Had nothing to do with whose program was better.
And lastly, sorry but Tennessee will NEVER be Florida's #1 rival. Georgia always has and always will be. Tennessee is not even #2. That is reserved for Florida State. The hatred for those two programs is beyond anything Gator fans feel toward Tennessee. UT is more of the laugable rival.
kman29 writes:
I find this mentality funny because most gator fans who are posting on here, where posting back when Fulmer was coach last year and beyond. Were they fearful then? Were they fearful after UF romped UT in knoxville last year and were posting? I realize that Vol fan tries to use this current mindset that rival fans post on here NOW because they "fear" kiffin. But fact is, they have been posting here with the same material long before Kiffin was at UT.
kman29 writes:
Kiffin will go down as a great coach like Neyland???? dude! come on! That would have been like Bama fan saying Shula was going to be the next Bear Bryant. Lay off the koolaid a little man
boro_vol writes:
I've been a Vol fan for 25 years, but I've never followed UT football as closely as I have in the last few months. Kiffin has brought a new energy to the program that is infectious, and I think that is true for both fans and players. I think we'll see a new product on the field this fall that generate even more national attention as well as more interest from elite recruiting prospects. THAT has our opponents very worried, hence all the interlopers on this site 24/7.
TommyJack writes:
What Boro and Witchee said.
sameolvolalum writes:
Hey, Bro. You're letting the flies in.
ethanfrome writes:
I am amazed by the number of gator fans here. Imagine what a boring sports season this time of the year is...and they are still here everyday! Kiffin has no doubt scared them. If Fulmer were still here there wouldn't be a single one of them that would care to spend a minute of their day on this thread.
Go Vols
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Leave Kiffin alone...As an avid fan of national sports shows on radio and television...The Vol have dropped off the radar...rarely...no, I'll say never in recent years have I heard any comment about Tennessee. At one time in the 90's and early part of this new century..the Volunteers don't exist...radio and TV talk shows were right in the middle of conversations when top teams were discussed and the Vols were front and center. Not anymore..it takes guys like Kiffin coach "O" to make some noise. Lord only knows its long overdue. Now if everyone lives in Knoxville, they perhaps are not as aware as folks who live outside of area.
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
Thank you for stating the truth. Back on the map is 11-1 and winning the SEC. All the rhetoric will seem hallow if we stumble along to another 5-7 season or go 6-6. Don't get me wrong folks, sometimes bad press is better than no press. UT football was clearly on downward cycle since the 2002 season. Taking jabs at your rivals is fine to stir up excitement but it pales in comparison to actually beating them. When we beat Alabama and Florida than we are back on the map.
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Sorry kid, but wrong again. Maybe some of you trolls were here last year, but "beyond"? "Beyond" was when this was a subscription site, and I'll guarantee you that none of you paid a subscription to be on here! You're just looking for freebies. I have wished, and still wish, that KNS would once again make this a subscription site. That would be one sure way to get the likes of you off here.
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
troubleinc writes:
He's gotten in the heads of the Gators and their fans. While I don't always agree with CLK, I love the fact that Florida hates him. Now just beat em down on 9/19 and all will be right with the world again.
GerryOP writes:
So ... one staff member quits/is fired, Coach Kiffin takes shots at sacred SEC icons, some of the pampered players were put on the bus, Coach Kiffin has stumbled over a few trivial NCAA rules, and the new staff keeps bringing top ranked winning kids to the UT campus. What's the problem?
How many footVol guys have had run-ins with the law since Kiffin arrived? Yup -- zero, zilch, none, nada. How refreshing!
105 -- Fear The Kiffin...
mercuryvol writes:
Football is a fluid game;always was, always will be.UT was existing in the 1990s but Kiffin & Co. have moved into the 21st century and in 6 months put us back in play in the minds of the media, the high school coaches,and most importantly the 16 and 17 year old recruits who are to be the teams of the future.They do not think like us 50-60 year old geezers and CLK is gearing his delivery toward them,not us.Successful on the field? Who knows? Check back in December and find out,but if the success so far is indicative of the future, my bet (and my loyalty) is on CLK and the Vols.
Kiffin_fan writes:
Great point. I think that 11-1 will bring back the fair weather fans but we are definately back on the Map for us hardcore Vol Fans!!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Perhaps a better phrase would be "back in the conversation" if you don't like "back on the map". I think what most are saying is that from about 2002 through 2008, no one was talking about UT--good team, fair team, bad team, no one outside of the UT fan base was even talking about the Vols. That period of being ignored by the media coincided with the steady decline in our recruiting, on-field performance, and interest among the fan base.
Of course, UT will not be BACK until we are once again contenders for SEC and national championships, but it is to me undeniable that people are at least TALKING about us again and not ALL the new talk is negative. For one thing, recruits seem to be listening to an extent not seen in years. We may not BE back, but we are closer to COMING back than we have been in years.
I agree that none of the buzz now will mean much if it is not followed up by success on the field, but a declining program has to start SOMEWHERE in making the recovery and a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation--even for those who anticipate, and hope for, failure--is better than the prolonged period of deadly indifference we have recently endured.
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
Just to be clear, I am definitely not a fair weather fan. During the 2005 season with Vanderbilt ahead late in the game and 60% of Neyland empty I rooted for the last minute drive that came up short. I watch every down and go to every home game and stay until the band plays the Alma mater song. The fair weather fans were the 30,000 who left the stadium early during that Vanderbilt game or the 25,000 empty seats during the Kentucky game last season. That was a great feat landing a top 10 class on short notice and signing Bryce. Back is winning again. Do you realize Fulmer had the #1 ranked class in 2005?
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.