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Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin, center, talks to South Carolina linebacker Eric Norwood (40) after the Vols defeated the Gamecocks 31-13 at Neyland Stadium Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When Tennessee hired Lane Kiffin, I met the decision with a heavy dose of skepticism.
There just wasn't enough to know about Lane Kiffin as a college head coach. He had never been one. Any coach will tell you it is much easier to make suggestions than it is to make decisions.
Kiffin, 33 at the time, came off as a cocky loudmouth who thought he could come into the big, bad SEC and have his way. A lot of national media concurred.
Eight games into his first season, I can't find a SEC coach who has done a better job. I thought the schedule would give Kiffin a chance to win six or seven games this year. I thought eight wins was the absolute ceiling and the Vols would be taken to the woodshed at Florida and Alabama
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Comments » 67
logansdad writes:
you got that right!
allntl1#565211 writes:
Slive will never allow it.
allntl1#565211 writes:
Joe Biddle is a genious, lets trade him for Adams and throw in a behind the scenes fulmer to boot.
writer#358485 writes:
Good story and very good point. It won't happen, but it should! Go Vols!
volsfanlostinthebigeasy writes:
The Lane Train is heading down the tracks....SEC coach of the year!!! I love what he's doing here. Not just him, but the staff he surrounded himself with. Vols are on their way back to the top. Loving it!!!! Way to go!!
commonsense32 writes:
The case can be made but the truth remains, you have to win to be the SEC coach of the year. It really doesn't matter as the world knows what is going on. The case could be made that despite the record UT is one of the top teams in the nation today. I know, I know you will ream me over this but think about it. We lose to ala by 2 there, lose to fl by 10 there and have improved every week. Of course you have those, me included who say you CAN NOT lose to UCLA. On defense of them team that is basically the first (real) game of the year under a new coach and completely new system. So to summarize not only should Kiff be the SEC coach of the year, the Vols should be ranked in the top 15 and possibly the top 10, after all USC has 2 loses and are still ranked number 12. Does anyone think they are really the number 12 team in the nation? I don't either.
DownTheField writes:
shorttermmemory32: croom went 7-5 and was named sec coy in 2007
Psychovol writes:
He gets my vote.
volzcrushm writes:
...he inherited a 5-7 team that was supposed to go 6-6 this year. 3 of our 4 losses could have easily gone in the win column which would make us 7-1 at this point.... yes, CLK should be coach of the year because he has done more than any other coach in turning it back around.
SmokeyHound writes:
go after it! i support it!
jmr68ut writes:
I could not agree more!!! Go Big Orange!!!
wayoutwill writes:
I will put a big "IF" in for the "KIFF"--The "IF" is that "IF" he wins out and puts the Vols in a New Year's Day bowlgame;then there is no doubt in my mind that he is,hands down,Coach of the Year!A Coach that doesn't wilt under pressure,sticks with his "idiot Q.B.";keeps his chin up,and leads his team out of the dark into the light!This ballclub may wind up as the hottest in the country by the end of the year IF they win out,get that bowl bid and stomp a top ten team in a Cotton,Outback,Citrus,or other bowl the equal of those;I would prefer the Cotton Bowl just because they had the cajones to tell the BCS to take their 'lil selection boys on out from their bowl game,that they'd be just fine without them.You got to like that independent Texas 'tude!A big dose of Tennessee boys went into the founding of that state,I belive that being in Texas will help us big time in recruiting(sic?) even though I will agree with other post about the Atlanta area might be the better place for us to be in order to help us as far as recruting(sic?) goes!I just love the fact that we even got "big bowl game" on our minds and that fact alone should put any doubters off the fence and on the LANE TRAIN!I am done being a doubting Thomas!Vol fan telling the truth!
Fryinpansvols writes:
I agree with Biddle's article that Kiffin should get COY. And yet people at the first of the year were saying Kiffin will never make in Knoxville. Boy were they wrong! We're on our way back to the top! GBO and win out!
Navalorange writes:
That "IF" we go 8-4, is not such a big "IF" anymore. At 8-4 we'd finish 2nd in the east. From 5-7 to 8-4 after changing coaching staffs, changing offensive and defensive schemes, starting about 20%+ freshmen, and upgrading Crompton, if he didn't get coach of the year, the reason would be obvious.
Success like that is the reason they have the award. Croom got it for turning a team around and going 7-5. His team was in most of those games. Sound familiar? It will if UT goes 8-4. Kiffin's turn-around would be far more impressive than Croom's was.
PS: (preemptive) Trolls ... PACK SAND!,
Biddle is DEAD ON!
Fryinpansvols writes:
Good post. However, the Citrus is no longer, it is the Capital One Bowl. GBO!
layoffthevolteam writes:
WE are very fortunate to have every coach on this team. Credit must be given to how this
"coach "who never had a head coaches job could do this.
My thought is all those men saw something Coach
Kiffin( its not Lane-Kiff or whatever, its Coach.)
long ago like others they and his dad did not come
to UT for the money PRos are easy to coach Pros
are about money and retirement payments.
These coaches, Coach Kiffin has assembled sensed
that right smell what ever and wanted a chance to be in on
something special that few get to do.
That's why we did not steal or buy any coach.
If anyone knows the sport its a coming...................
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say this would constipate Slive for weeks...Witch Doctor say Kiffin not concerned with award..he just want to win and prove system work.
Bones never lie
PowerTandDD writes:
WD is right on again!
CLK and staff know that you build the profile with publicity, recruit your tails off, and then coach 'em up like no tomorrow. Game days then become fun for everyone!
Here's to having fun on Rocky Top for years to come...
vol4gzus writes:
I hope you were being sarcastic with using "idio_ QB".
Let's play em out and then discuss postseason accolades. Go VOLS!!! Beat the tiggers!!
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Witch Doctor say GO VOLS!!!!! Witch Doctor ask how you skin a cat? Witch Doctor say by 10 pm tonight we all see how it done.
Bones never lie
back2backchamps writes:
This is one Gator that would give my vote for SEC coach of the year to Saban. What he has done with Bama the last 2 years is exactly what every program is striving to become. Kiffin may have the Vols on the right track, but the Vols are still looking up to their 2 main rivals :)
537081 writes:
Slive would be like a vampire in the Sunshine.
RocketVol writes:
I disagree. I think they were supposed to be looking up to these rivals, but on the road looked them DEAD IN THE EYES. And when you consider how thin this team is and how young, that was a major accomplishment that deserves credit.
Navalorange writes:
I can understand Saban last year. Coming off a 6-6 season, poised to improve, but how much is yet to be seen. Then he goes 12-0.
IMO, the award should be more for what you did with what you had. It's one of the age old questions in football, is it harder to get to the top, or stay on the top. I guess it depends on the circumstances, like how hard is your division/conference, etc. In the SEC I think it's harder to get to the top. Mainly because of the recruiting wars. That's why I would say the Kiffin would deserve it this year if we win out.
PowerTandDD writes:
You know I keep looking for the trolls that said ole Monte was washed up and would not be able to adapt to the college game again. The Bammers never made it to the red zone, much less the end zone at home against lesser talent. The Ga-tors less than impressive offense only scored 23 at home with supposed Superman T-bow against the same defense that had no benefit of a real SEC offense to get them off the field. The trolls have grown strangely quiet on that issue. Wonder why? I guess we can check that one off the list.
Next year we can check off the list the ones about CLK having a losing record as a head coach as well as that CEO is not a good position/recruiting/assistant head coach. Anyone like Dan Williams? Top ten recruiting classes? No thugs or criminal activities? Meanwhile da Raiders/Al Davis/Tom Cable continue to impress. LMAO.
Navalorange writes:
Ya, UT's heading back up the SEC latter and the raiders are on rails straight to he!!. You're right, deafening silence on that issue... huh.
CRFVols writes:
I don't think Slive would agree. Let's stop talking about 8 wins like we've got them already. We still have a decent Ole Miss team to get past....and Vandy and UK aren't going to lay down for us either.
coachbenchpressfakebakes writes:
I think I should be D-Line coach of the year. Discuss. Oh and MK is a freaking rain man!!
TurboFan writes:
And injuries are mounting on the defense that has been carrying the water all season.
imw8n4u writes:
"If UT is 8-4 at the end of the season and Kiffin doesn't win, they should do away with the award" Kind of like they should have done away with the Heisman after Manning didn't win it in 97.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Yeah, but he brought MSU up from about absolute zero and everybody liked him and was pulling for him. UT wasn't all THAT far down and opinions about Kiffin are, uh, mixed at best. It wouldn't surprise me if Kiffin finished FIRST in a media-awarded COY contest and LAST in a coach-awarded one! I do agree that he OUGHT to get some love in a completely objective poll, but there aren't really any of those.
DukeDeLuca writes:
This is a joke, right?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
There are MANY such polls, but the AP and the ESPN/Coaches polls are arguably the biggest.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
YOU are a joke, right?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Seriously, Duke, you and DaMan have been on here every week talking about how we were gonna get killed, Kiffin was embarrassing the program, etc., etc. With the exception of the UCLA stumble, which everybody--fans, coaches, and players alike--agreed was a bad loss, we have met or exceeded expectations in every other game...well, maybe Auburn, too. However, I seriously doubt either one of them would welcome a rematch the way the Vols have been playing lately. There is none so blind as he who will not see.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Agree 100% but we still have a coupla BIG if's.
Still have to go 8-4
Still have not beaten a team we weren't supposed to beat.
Wait til after Ole Miss and Ky. If we go 8-4, Kiff is undoubtedly COY.
Like it or not, Kiff has really coached up the players, but the players we are winning with were still Fulmer's players. Let's see what happens come Dec.
thevoice writes:
Hate to say it, but you're right on friend. I wonder if Mike Slive will be voting.
Hardrocknox writes:
I agree with Jhayes , lets not put the horse before the cart , and that gator guy has a point with saben . Also brooks with Kentucky has taken that team out of the basement and has made that team bowl eligible so why not him , lane will get his accolade's but not this year . Go Big Orange .
SmokeyHound writes:
who votes for coach of the year? If there is a fan poll im absolutely voting for kiffin and so should everybody else
FWBVol writes:
The award is "Coach of the Year," not "Coach of Two Years." There is no denying that Saban has done a good job at Alabama. That said, everyone who saw the Tennessee-Alabama game knows that while the Tide won where it counts, on the scoreboard, they had more than a little luck. If Lincoln had been able to get any height on his field goal attempts we would have rolled the Tide.
Kiffin has changed the attitude and the outlook of Tennessee football and deserves to be SEC Coach of Year.
SmokeyHound writes:
I agree with this because our offense has improved dramatically and our defense is still dominate, but to look at the bigger picture, Tennessee has had zero arrests since the hiring of lane kiffin, and one of the least penalized teams in the nation. Kiffin has brought all the hype back to Tennessee coming back from a 5-7 season and not even letting the potential national champions score a touchdown on us, Alabama, and only losing by two. All of the UT players respect kiffin, and think that he is so cool. I strongly support this and I was wondering who votes for the coach of the year? Can fans vote? GO VOLS AND GO LANE KIFFIN!!!!
TommyJack writes:
Duke sounds like zz. Hmmm.
spvol writes:
I can't think of any team that has beaten us this year (UF & UA included) that would want to play us again.
Dalton writes:
I got on board early...just the optimist in me and bought everything being sold....I wavered when Crompton basically blew in the early going and even though it was one of Fulmer's downfall traits....benching the QB...It was obvious it was time....to everyone but this young coach who listened to what drives him and will utimately make him a great one....faith in his players....when you have the players hearts and souls they'll play beyond themselves for you....lets keep this one.
crimsonviper writes:
If the Vols finish 8-4,and I think they will,then he definately is deserving.
He started late and had 3 key injuries I know of.
IMO he has done a great job.
WLafIndianavol writes:
I know this year is not over yet and I am looking forward to a 9-4 season, but I can't wait to see this team next year!
BTW, has anyone looked at the 2010 shedule?
TN-Martin
Oregon
Florida
UAB
at LSU
at UGA
Bammer...
That's 5 possible Top 10 opponents in 7 games!
Kiffin really deserves a look for Coach of the year!
chrisw2967 writes:
Lane Kiffin coah of the year ? That would surely Pizz off Meyers and the trolls.Myabe Slive will take that 30k from Meyers and have Kiffin and big ole trophy made.that woould be priceless.
TommyJack writes:
Urbee leads the league in fines!! Hahahahaha
portlandTENNESSEEfan writes:
Gosh darnet,when i lost 4 or 5 cotton pickin games they looked for a big ole oak tree to hang me.
Phil Fulmer
dbc5361 writes:
If UT ever woke up and had any of Miss States rosters the whole state of Tennessee would be under a mass suicide alert. That's how much better the talent and the highest recruiting budget in the land nets UT football.
Croom going 7-5 with that talent, no prestige and many losing seasons is why he got the COY. Miss State hasn't had a 1st round pick in the NFL draft in 15 years.
Tell me this... When has UT ever had 2 bad years in a row? Croom himself would probably win 8 games with the 2009 UT team. Quick, tell me how many of the players on Croon's team were as talented as Eric Berry, Montario Hardesty, Dan Williams, Janzen Jackson, etc?
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