Lane Kiffin figuratively bit his tongue, and it seemed to put him in literal pain.
Surely the Tennessee coach will have somebody on the other sideline this weekend who can relate.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier might not use his sharp jabs or poke fun at SEC rivals nearly as often as he used to, but he's still the original and made popular the vocal blueprint Kiffin has adopted.
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So heading into his first meeting with Spurrier at home Saturday (TV: ESPN, 7:45 p.m.), instead of taking any shots at the No. 21 Gamecocks (6-2, 3-2 SEC), Kiffin went completely the other way - and only partly because he was trying to stay out of trouble with the conference.
"Yeah, I've heard (Spurrier's one-liners)," Kiffin said. "I think it's funny. You guys know me, I think it's funny. I guess we're not supposed to do those anymore - I almost made it this whole conference (season) without saying anything (about SEC rules).
"I think he's hilarious, I think he always has been, and I think the way that he acts is great for football and it's great for the league."
It's worked out pretty well for Spurrier's teams over the years as well, and that's the benefit Kiffin is most trying to duplicate with UT (3-4, 1-3).
The latest reprimand for his public comments on officiating clearly still bothered Kiffin on Tuesday, but like any subtle or blatant shot he's taken at other teams, they reaffirmed the confidence he has in himself and the Vols. And it's no secret who took that style to a whole other level a decade ago at Florida.
"I've always had unbelievable respect for what he's done," Kiffin said of Spurrier. "When I was growing up, he was probably the one guy that I looked at. To me, when you watched his teams play and the intensity and the swagger and the way that they walk, I think they represented him because he was so confident in the way he came across and how much his players believed in him that he could move the ball and win games.
"I think it was obvious (then), and here he is doing it again. As soon as people want to start counting him out he's back in the top 25. He's had a Hall of Fame career, and he's still doing it."
Kiffin has only just started, and clearly he's got a long way to go to catch a coach with a national championship and seven SEC titles on his resume.
But even early in his career it's clear Kiffin shares a few similarities with Spurrier, and there are certainly worse guys to be compared with on the sidelines.
"Oh yeah, it's all about the confidence in the team," UT senior Wes Brown said. "And you know, (Spurrier) is a very confident coach and our coach is very confident. He has confident teams like Spurrier has (had before), and at the same time here at Tennessee (Kiffin) is confident in us.
"That makes us feel better about ourselves and helps us go out and perform."
The Vols have had much more to feel good about lately, though the results haven't quite been what they're looking for.
A couple tough losses haven't done much to rattle a belief that a breakthrough is coming though, and there's no question that's a product of a trickle-down effect from the top of the coaching staff. It's also a trick of the trade Spurrier knows well.
"It's his personality, and it's how he walks on the sideline," Kiffin said. "It's how those great offenses and all those great receivers and quarterbacks had a confidence about them. You knew no matter what the score was when you watched the Florida games back in the day they weren't out of it and they were going to compete and they were going to fight for their coach.
"I thought it was always obvious when you watched them that his players had great confidence - they walked right, they had that look when they walked on the field. You knew they were coming on the field to win, and they still do it."
The Gamecocks won't be the only team with that swagger on the field this week. Spurrier won't be the only coach, either.
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 127
sandiegovolunteer writes:
I hope that visor is a flyin'
TommyJack writes:
Well Coach, that's one of us that respects Spurrier.
the10sevol writes:
yeah, kiff said nice things about bama last week, too. and i agree, stevie is hilarious, just not in the way he thinks.
GBO
TennesseeGorilla writes:
Yeah, that visor will have plenty of mud footprints on it this Saturday! Go Vols!
utvolz#637682 writes:
I hope Lane can eventually tell our opponents you can't spell ______ Bowl without a _____ like Spurrier used to say about us being in the Citrus Bowl every year!
CrankE writes:
Can't spell FLU without UF, Gatrolls.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor cant remember(too lazy to google) did Slive reprimand Spurrier because of "tape" accusation last week?
Bones never lie
arkyvol writes:
still not totally sold on kiffin, but i'm coming around. when he says he's a long time admirer of steve superior, is he referring to the coaching or the mouthing?
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say good article Austin. Witch Doctor REALLY be impressed if story about Slives double standard. Witch Doctor say he not reprimand Spurrier or Saban for comments but do Kiffin and Mullin? Witch Doctor say gotta earn stripes by taking your licks..Witch Doctor say balls out Austin; there is those that do and those who always say they will.
Bones never lie
DingoVol writes:
MVUniv is now my favorite poster on here. His creative responses are the equivalent of "I know you are but what am I" I get deuce chills thinking of his fat fingers with chicken wing sauce in the nails pecking away one forefinger at a time......."Let's see, Kiffin can't recruit......no that won't work......I got it, UT is bad." Please Mr Va jay jay, when you try to stir the pot, come up with something relevant.
Pdiddy10 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Spurrier's still got a fat playbook but they've only put up 20 points in the last 2 games..Vandy and bama play good defense but no better than the VOLS..Ingram put 240 yards on them so I would expect Montario and Bryce to do the same..I don't think the coaches have used Oku to his strengths; he hasn't broken any big returns because there haven't been any big holes..He was a great receiver in high school; if he lined up as fullback on play action occasionally he would be an easy pass target..The throw to Cooper against Bama was one of Kiffins best play calls..Oku would have caught that pass for big yardage..
Witch_Doctor writes:
As did the Helmet coming off during live play? Witch Doctor not ask about each "play". Witch Doctor question was Spurrier reprimanded for statement made? Witch Doctor not argue your perception, Witch Doctor trying to decide if this a double standard. Witch Doctor just ask question.....
Bones never lie
grvol writes:
My fondest memory of Spurrier is the 45-3 a** whooping the Vols put on his Gators in 1990.
orgbleglory writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
allvol32 writes:
Come on KNS - ban the idiots who do nothing but post the same repetitive negative garbage on this site over and over.
True fans enjoy intelligent discussion with other UT fans as well as discussion with respectful fans of other schools. Agreeing to disagree is fine but the school yard level of insults and name calling from the same few posters is really tiresome.
Allowing these childish OCD afflicted idiots to keep posting the same inane drivel on here 30, 40 and 50 times a day really denigrates this site and probably hurts the popularity of this site - which is bad for business...your business.
Time for the broom KNS...I hope some of these trolls get the mental health care they seem to need so desperately.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor can carry on intelligent conversations with all of the A grade interlopers on here with some degree of respect. Witch Doctor say why are you so emotional that you need attention? Witch Doctor ask question twice(not directly to you) and twice its like cries of "look at me Witch Doctor!" Witch Doctor have tried to "let you live" and pick your little fights with those that want to play. Witch Doctor not here to "validate" your existence. Witch Doctor say you really not want Witch Doctors attention in that form(really). Witch Doctor ask you for LAST time to keep it on intelligent level. Witch Doctor say not confuse tone of Witch Doctors tone of being that of joking,it be that of Lion showing fangs.
Bones never lie
orgbleglory writes:
You make good pre-1990 Gator fan....our most frequently quoted comment during that span..."just wait until next year"!! Don't worry deer in headlights, you'll get used to it quickly to the point just rolls off tongue with no effort at all!!
VoL4LiFe86 writes:
Everyone knows FL is a good team and on a streak right now, but you really look like a moron right now on a UT site trying to fight about "moral victories" almost 3 months after we played. Maybe we did get the best of the gators. lol
orgbleglory writes:
I better get out of here for night...did'nt know history lessons were dispensed at drop of hat....deer in headlight just presented dissertation on football in the south/Alabama style...stupid me, thought we were comparing Vols/Gators....esp since that was his initial underlying premise....
Brillovol writes:
And I guess Bobby Petrino, Dan Mullen, Bobby Johnson, and Mark Richt feel the same way? In case you weren't watching the game, which I doubt you have the patience to do, even the announcers said it should have been a penalty!
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say run with that! Witch Doctor like.
Bones never lie
Brillovol writes:
Evidently some people don't want to let the facts get in the way of their opinions. Typical FL-U fan.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor Vol fan. Witch Doctor Vol fan always down the middle. Witch Doctor carry on conversations with anyone on this board. Witch Doctor say some like, some dont...Witch Doctor not matter either way. Witch Doctor not someone to "pick at" Witch Doctor have long record of running those kind off. Witch Doctor not know if you someone he know under another username...Witch Doctor assume not(?) Witch Doctor here for perspective...Witch Doctor say not waste "Witch Doctor" on meaningless snips. Witch Doctor better as friend than foe...Witch Doctor shred those that "pick"...Witch Doctor ask since you continue to try to interact with Witch Doctor...are you trying to be friend or foe..Witch Doctor take "tone" as foe......Witch Doctor hope not.
Bones never lie
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Check in on gogamecocks.com to see what they think of Kiffin.
He is in their head and under their skin. Even player's hatin' and bugling.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor like quick. Witch Doctor songwriter by trade and always taught KISS(keep it simple stupid)
Bones never lie
Brillovol writes:
Maybe if you had some intelligent football insight to add to the conversation, you would be taken differently. Really, why oh why do you find such pleasure in wasting your life by spending it completely on a rival's page? The more banter that you spew onto these comments pages, the more you prove that we are, in fact, your biggest rival. I have rarely, if ever, gone to a rival's site. Why would I other than gaining insight about a certain player or to get a beat on a game? You consistently being in the K-town's paper with negative comments proves that either you're (1) not right in the head, (2) afraid of us, or (3) both.
I'm afraid to break it to you, but you and all your buddies show yourselves by being on here.
VolinCalif writes:
Well it was pointed out that I was talking about a UT lost. This is not what I am talking about. I am not talking about Fl or Bama. They were not the officials and are not responsible for official’s actions. That function is the responsibility of Slive. I think he should be more concerned in correcting real issues like the poor officiating than reprimanding coaches for pointing out the discrepancy. It appears he can not stand anyone that is questioning a subject under his responsibility. Again this is about poor officiating it hurts the SEC. The sports nation got to see it first hand many fans may not really care because it was not their teams that were playing. But they should. Things like this effect schedules and money for all schools.
ORG. Post
Come on news media it is time for you to take up the fight. Be very real about these complaints in the SEC Officiating. Kiffin, Mullen, Petrino, Steve Spurrier, & M. Richt have said something. The common factor to all these poor calls or lack of calls is the Fl and Ala games. GA was hosed in their game with LSU for excessive celebration. The SEC finally said it shouldn't’t have been called. Did that help GA. H. no? Alabama used tape on kicks, not allowed, did Slive make an issue about that? H. no. in the Fl/ Tenn game Fl did Excessive Celebration several times was it called? Hell no. and how about Tebow shaking his fist in a players face? That too is not allowed as per the dead ball rule, no finger pointing etc. Was that called? Again no! What I see is 5 out of 12 coaches have pointed out faults and poor officiating against common teams. So far that is 7 of the 12 teams involved. Slive is incompetent and should be made to address the truth. There is only one way to bring his BS to the public eye so that the AD of schools takes a real look at his performance as the commissioner. Also if Slive is playing games and allowing this BS for financial gain for the SEC then that is fraud in a sense, the other Conferences should be more than a little upset. It’s time for you the media to help the coaches and put some pressure on the BS going on. The kids deserve to be treated fair; the NCAA should be looking into Slive on these issues. You want a story? It appears that you do not?
tulelakevol writes:
Go Vols! I believe that Coach Kiffin is pushing the right buttons everywhere. Ex. Crompton. The guy last year, and first of this year, I think everyone would agree, a head case. Now, he is looking more like the Crompton that played against LSU a few years ago. His confidence is up, and the rest of the team is buying into that. Keep it up Coach, gut the chickens Saturday night!! Go VOLS!!
diamond_dave35#235769 writes:
Lol I agree with ya on that one..except for the Braves comment..Been a braves fan since 74 (remember Rowland Office..I sure as hell do..lol)
windy writes:
I think it is time for all conferences to disband their officiating crews and go to a National officiating conference. As long as each conference picks their own officials, there is going to be an old boys club. These officials are going to kiss butt in the conference office just to make sure they get to work. That is when the payback comes. Why not follow the NFL,NBA, AND MLB and have a national conference of officials. They would be assigned each week to all of the major colleges. Hopefully this would take all the azz kissing out of the games and let the players decide the outcome. What do you think?
tulelakevol writes:
Easy MVuniv, you gonna be sportin' a bone spinnin' Witch Doctor voodoo smack down.....
diamond_dave35#235769 writes:
Remember it well..that was my first time at Neyland..I was living in Arky at the time. Seen alot of great QBs at UT but no one threw a prettier pass than TE Von Reeves that day.
Witch_Doctor writes:
No Witch Doctor have IQ about 60-70 points higher and works as creative writer for living. Witch Doctor say "snippy" show low IQ and inferiority complex that Witch Doctor can run through like weedeater. Witch Doctor say "snippy" all you got you best run along jr.
"Write it down"(sound familiar? should)
Bones never lie
diamond_dave35#235769 writes:
I hate to turn this into a braves blog but I was at my first braves game in 75..the names I can solidly remember playing in that one was ATL: Aaron,Garr,Niekro,Evans,Pocaroba. CIN: Bench,Foster,Conception,Morgan,Rose,Griffey,Geronimo
Perez..Final Score believe it or not 23-9 Reds..Dang I was 7..and I still have fond memories
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
How about some more of that high quality, intelligent discussion? Uh...I forgot what I was about to say, something about South Carolina.
It'll come to me later. Gotta go now.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Oh yeah...let's beat South Carolina!
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say again I hope you are no one I know under another alias as Witch Doctor think this personality "snippy/nasty" without rhyme or reason other than to be snippy and nasty.
Witch Doctor keep it above board...
Bones never lie
*Witch Doctor assume you not so take the hint.
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor agree...thanks for bringing subject back.
GBO!
Bones never lie
Brillovol writes:
Time for predictions:
UT: 24
SC: 13
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor suck at this... Witch Doctor not good at scores as bones dont work on sports...dang!
Witch Doctor say hard fought game but Vols by 9. Witch Doctor say not get mad if Witch Doctor wrong and it whole bunch more!
Bones never lie
wayoutwill writes:
LOLlololololololol<Witchiepook has a (hi) but not a high iq and if he makes his living as a creative writer;well that shows that "bones never lie" is just really a perspective of his creative mind;Knoxville doesn't have enuff "dimsty" dumpsters to haul out the garbage that he writes and speaking of which,he probably lives with George anyways,now if he knows what that comment means,then I'll know he's a true "in the know" Vol fan,so much so,that I'll give him props,but I'm gonna bet he doesn't have a clue which means he's nowhere near as "connected" as he claims,simple joke,Witchiepook,you get it?and how often?
Witch_Doctor writes:
wow I own you.
Bones never lie
TommyJack writes:
Asinine comments, Birdwell.
cloudodust writes:
Remember the vote for All-SEC QB..? Spurrier did it while everyone blamed CLK. It's payback time in Tennessee. Yeah, it's a joke but if we rack up 35 plus on 'em, I'm good with it. Matter of fact, 28-13 Tennessee...
FLVOL79 writes:
Florida was VERY nonexistant before 1990, thats an understatement. It's funny when our worst season is losing seven games, yet the almighty gay-tors had multiple 0 win seasons. Florida gators are like that angst ridden teenager who thinks they know what the worlds about. Too fun ..to make fun ..of.. a flooooooriduh gay-tor
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
I'm sure you all want to know, just like I want to know...when is that Steve Spurrier going to get himself a big belly?
jclvol writes:
I really wish you'd learn to properly punctuate your comments.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Hey, wayout, I don't like the way you calling the Doc "Witchiepook." Beat it, you pitiful pesky thing. Amscray, outway. And remember, the Doc is rubber and you're glue; bounce off him and sticks on you.
wayoutwill writes:
no worries punk,i am just being creative and that makes me and the birdbrain witchiepook a perfect pair,i now know that his name is george or he lives with george 'get it"--don't like it?--go on steamer,lay a lil' rubber with your pal,at least you guys show which side you ,er,uh,swing from?or is it putt from?The Vols are in big trouble if you 'guys' are the best fans in Vol-land!no wonder i kept thinking you 'guys' made me wanna puke!i guess i walked into the wrong kind of bar!the witchiepook and all his lil' pals or is it buddies?gag a 'maggot'--
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