“I’m most worried about our players, most worried about our freshmen and making sure they’re right because they’re out there. We have to remember that as coaches, even though we don’t feel it — they feel it."Lane Kiffin
A veteran defensive coordinator is grinning like a child at the thought of the pageantry a return to the college ranks has provided.
A handful of true freshmen are impatiently waiting to make an instant impact on the biggest stage they’ve ever been on.
And an entire fan base is waiting for a glimpse at what new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin can do when it really matters.
Now, it’s really time — but no matter how long the wait has seemed for Saturday’s opener against Western Kentucky, the one man seemingly unaffected by all the attention and excitement is the ringmaster himself.
“I’m really not around that to know that,” Kiffin said. “I just don’t really do much. There’s a ritual, and we do what we do.
“I’m most worried about our players, most worried about our freshmen and making sure they’re right because they’re out there. We have to remember that as coaches, even though we don’t feel it — they feel it.”
The pressure has been building for quite some time, and the Vols appear ready to burst at this point.
The grind of a physical preseason, the attention on Kiffin for his offseason headlines, the intense spotlight for a fresh start — all of those issues have piled up and worn down UT to some degree. But that frustration can also be fuel, and the trick is now to make sure the Vols don’t burn through it too quickly.
“Especially with such an unbelievable stadium and to have that many fans in there is a whole other level,” Kiffin said. “We have to worry about keeping our guys focused and maintained. We’re not going to have to get them excited and jacked up, that won’t be our job. They’re going to do that, (so) it’ll be our job actually to keep them down.
“As awesome as the Vol Walk is and running through the ‘T,’ there’s the other side to that in making sure we keep our players calm and ready for kickoff (and) that they don’t use too much energy before kickoff.”
That will be most important for the players who’ve never done it before, particularly since UT is relying on so many against the Hilltoppers.
Kiffin’s decorated recruiting class will be featured prominently and immediately on both sides of the ball, which can be both an encouraging sign for the future and a cause for concern in the present. The buzz for guys like Bryce Brown, Nu’Keese Richardson and Janzen Jackson seems to be justified, but there’s no definitive proof yet and the ride might not always be smooth.
“The pressure mounts, so we have a very hard job to do with those guys because those are always the guys you’re most scared of,” Kiffin said. “If you just let them go out at and play and they don’t have their mind right, they’ll play like freshmen do and make a ton of mistakes. That’s why most people don’t play freshmen.
“It’ll be an exciting day (personally), but I’m not really focused on that or thinking about that. I’ve got to make sure these guys are right, so the last thing I can do is go out of my focus and then all of a sudden they feel something different in me. That’s what we working so hard for them not to do.”
There’s only so much insulation that can be done though. And while one Kiffin is shielding himself from everything outside program, another is embracing the Orange Crush.
Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin hasn’t had a full Vol Walk yet, hasn’t run out of the ‘T’ or coached in front of a crowd of this size despite his lengthy career. Considering how excited a 69-year-old coaching veteran has been about his UT debut, it might not be so easy to keep the 19 year olds under control.
“I don’t even know for sure how loud it gets in there,” Monte Kiffin said. “I think it’s going to be pretty awesome, I really do.
“I’ve been waiting for this a long time.”
He’s obviously not alone.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 97
jcherrie#219531 writes:
He'll be born-again Orange!
gnm53108 writes:
I almost feel sorry for wky.
Almost.
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
Go to the swamp every two years....when both are at their loudest...you don't beat Neyland stadium.
joshvols writes:
ive been to the swamp and no way is it louder than neyland when we get cranked up. ive never been this excited about a season opener. Brown, Nuke, Oku, and Teague are going to light it up on offense against WKU, and hopefully we'll keep that momentum going. go vols!
whippersnapper writes:
I've been to the swamp. It's not all that. Just a bunch of drunk obnoxious idiots.Neyland is by far the best place to watch college football.
gnm53108 writes:
Boy,gollie gee,gee willikers....Ward the Bever playing on the internet again.
RockinTop writes:
Dang y'all....I'm stoked! Wish I could be there!
GO BIG ORANGE!!!
VolGraduate writes:
I'm pumped!!! Go Vols!!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
"AN veteran defensive coordinator"? Not a very good way to start a column, Austin. Doesn't ANYBODY read columns before they are printed or posted anymore?
prideofthesouthland writes:
It is almost here!!!
smokeyrocks writes:
Thank heavens this is on ESPN Gameplan! I am so stoked for tomorrow. Go Vols!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr_Brownstone writes:
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK!
Mr_Brownstone writes:
How many of which are pedophiles like the rest of Fla's population?
spencer1989#206886 writes:
We salute you!!!!
Wilhelm16 writes:
I would give my right arm to run through the T just once.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
local media here in Memphis is picking our UT Vols to go 5-7 and losing to Vandy and Ky. Just thought I'd throw that out. I think 8-4 with a blowout tomorrow.
BillsBrother writes:
CBS definitely got the obnoxious part correct.
Docrok writes:
You're not serious are you?? even as AWFUL as TN played last year we didnt lose to either team! And I really dont think KY or Vandy will be improved over last year! I mean to be safe with your picks is one thing to just be flagrantly obnoxious is going a bit far! I know TN is no Memphis or anything but really 5 and 7?????????
Volsnfl writes:
FLORIDA+DRINKING=(_._)HOLES!!!
Major_Magilicutty writes:
I think we can work that out...
Cldvols1 writes:
That's such a shame, Memphis must have had their heads burried in the sand. Thanks for sharing jhayes. Vols 42, WKU 10 I predicted a 9-3 season at best and 7-5 at worst so I just split the difference and went with 8-4 as well. We gonna kick some Pillpopper a*s! Go Vols!!!
Major_Magilicutty writes:
Very true...and Thompson Boling too...TN is just quiet when it comes down to it.
Let's hope these guys give em something to cheer about.
And no more "wooooo" after Good Ole Rocky Top!
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
I've been to the puddle...it's a POS, trust me.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
Vol Defense = 21 pts
Vol Offense = 10 pts
Hilltopper team: 3 pts
darbhoo writes:
Yeah, I think you have "obnoxious" locked up. However, you might want to find another state to belittle judging by the recent scores your little lizards have run up with the state of Michigan. I think they own you.
2000 - Michigan State 37, Florida 34
2003 - Michigan 38, Florida 30
2008 - Michigan 41, Florida 35
Loud and proud is one thing, but obnoxious is a whole 'nother thing. I'm not surprised that you don't know the difference.
CrimsonTidalWave writes:
THAT ERECTOR SET CALL KNEELAND IS NOT LOUD BUT IT IS A DANGEROUS AND AN EYESORE. ONE REASON IT IS NEVER LOUD IS BECAUSE UT LOSES ALOT OF HOME GAMES.
gavol74 writes:
When they run thru the T that will be the loudest Neyland staduim has been in YEARS...I can wait!!!
AllVolAllDay writes:
Volnatics,
I have been reading these posts on my lunch breaks for months now and being in the military (in texas :( ) this is a great site for vol news and updates so thanks to all of you!
Now that that's out of the way, I had to take today off because I'm so pumped about tomorrow! Last year was such a bad year, I had a bruin in my home when we played UCLA, a gator in my home for my son's bday, and I work with a very dedicated sooner and longhorn! Here's to a new beginning gentlemen!!! Go Vols!!!
Down_The_Field writes:
i don't recall it being that loud last year when they played ole miss.
you?
darbhoo writes:
Gator fans pack up early and go home when the score goes against them. I know I live in Florida.
Gators are "big mouth", small brain and the rest is tail. Kinda like some of the "obnoxious" fans
AllVolAllDay writes:
Watching CFL right now and EB won the at@t all-american def POTY poll!!!! EB 4 Heisman!!!
Vol_N_Texas writes:
Who edited his article? Nick Gabon or Urban Crier?
Down_The_Field writes:
funny. you mention "dangerous" and "eyesore." this is a good characterization of your grammar. on the other hand, it may a testament to the alabama school system?
jst4tdyvols writes:
I take it you went to school in alabama with that spelling.
notoriousBIGorange writes:
It didn't seem very loud at the Ole Miss game last year...why was that??
whippersnapper writes:
I've been to death valley as well.One of the best places to watch a football game. Some of the best fans around unlike the obnoxious gayters.Stadium wasn't all that loud,but the campus was nice with a lake and other things. The swamp, well, that's what it is with the stench to go with it.
ChrisM30TN writes:
Your praising Alabama the armpit of America, and knocking on our stadium? You do remember the one about what maggots and Bama fans have in common right? Why don't you and a few more of your players go fishing or something?
SEC__Headgear writes:
DC hears a Hoo!
So true Hoo. Thanks for the facts as well as the insight.
sizeDD writes:
Nuttin like that Bama education...............
The_Greater_Pumpkin writes:
the swamp isn't nearly as loud.
jack_2222#231746 writes:
UF (Urban's Felons) just love UT football, they can't stay off a volsite.
jclvol writes:
Might want to check your facts, prior to last season, UT's home record under Fulmer was 89-16...11-6 vs Alabama (home and away -- 2 losses are because of Saban). Might want to leave the trash talking to UF and go to an Auburn site. If you're going to stay on here, at least try not to be an idiot.
vol88 writes:
Imagine, using obnoxious and Florida in the same sentence. Man, I never thought about doing that.
vol88 writes:
Thanks Wave for being the poster child for soooo many Bama jokes.
tmartin writes:
i've been to every sec stadium. neyland at times has been as loud as any other stadium. however, the swamp gets loud and stays loud the whole game. lsu is pretty ear busting at night too. loudest place i have ever been was 97 sec championship against auburn. could not literally talk to person next to me.
StroVol writes:
You can be dam. sure it wouldn't be televised without Kiffin stirring the SEC pot. Thanks again Coach.
AllVolAllDay writes:
In TX I've bought the gameplan the last three years and every TN game has been on the there...you're right...thank God for Gameplan!!!
AllVolinFL writes:
You cannot even begin to compare The Swamp to Neyland. Neyland is by far the loudest and toughest place to play in all of college football. 110,000 screaming fans in Orange is unlike anything in the country. You definitely are right about being the most obnoxious though and its hilarious you think thats a compliment. Dumb Gator!
TommyJack writes:
I wonder if AL will have to pay the Sabanator when they get the death penalty? Just asking.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Thanks, Rich! We're counting on you and your buds--capitalized or not(;-P)!--to pull the guys through. All of us in the world-wide Vol diaspora will be raising one while wishing we were with you back in Big Orange Country!
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