AP Top 25 College Football
Lane Kiffin is that rare college football coach that keeps on giving. Even he doesn’t believe half of what comes out of his mouth.
He’s Steve Spurrier ’Lite’ — not as sharp nor sharp-tongued as the ol’ ball coach in his heyday, but the closest thing to a court jester the increasingly uptight Southeastern Conference has seen since. Even before playing a game that counted, Tennessee’s new hire wrongly accused Florida of cheating, told gas station jokes about South Carolina and gleefully stole a recruiting coordinator out from under Alabama’s nose.
So just imagine how much fun Kiffin is going to have if he ever starts winning.
It didn’t happen Saturday at Gainesville, Fla., unless moral victories count. The Gators beat the Vols 23-13, but considering how much yapping Kiffin did about Florida coach Urban Meyer before and even after the loss, just about everybody expected it to be much worse.
So much so that Meyer made a point of saying the next day it would have been — if only his squad wasn’t weakened by the flu and Tennessee had taken a risk or two instead of playing to hold down the score.
“I didn’t feel like they were going for the win. They wanted to shorten the game,” Meyer said. “I think that was the plan. I remember looking out there and there’s 10 minutes left in the game and there’s no no-huddle, they are down, I think it was 23-6 and no urgency on Tennessee’s part.”
When those comments were relayed to Kiffin on Monday, he initially passed up a chance to respond. But a moment later, someone asked whether he was worried about the flu bug descending on Tennessee.
“I don’t know,” he cracked. “I guess we’ll wait and after we’re not excited about a performance, we’ll tell you everybody was sick.”
Turns out Meyer wasn’t kidding about the flu. Three Florida players were isolated ahead of Saturday’s game because of flulike symptoms and even though there were no confirmed cases of swine flu, the entire team was vaccinated Sunday. But a half-dozen other players missed practice Tuesday and receivers coach Billy Gonzales, who was sent home the day before because of a fever, returned wearing gloves and a mask.
As for Meyer’s dig about playing too conservatively, Kiffin said, “It’s not fun to play that way, but that’s what we had to do in that situation, in that stadium, versus that team, at this stage of our team. ... Like I said when I was hired, you’re going to see different offenses every week, depending on what we think we need to do to win.”
But he still found time to get in a dig at his predecessor, Phil Fulmer — “we’ve been scared of (Florida) in the past. I think it was obvious Saturday we weren’t” — and put his current quarterback, Jonathan Crompton, on notice that he’s one of several Vols who “needs to have a very good game this week.”
Somebody in orange is going to have to step up, since Tennessee is already 1-2 and the one-liners seem less funny the more the Vols lose. It’s one thing to overreach at your introductory news conference, or in front of a room packed with boosters in the dead of winter.
It puts Tennessee in the headlines, keeps Kiffin’s name front and center on recruiting Web sites, and paid off by drawing one of the most talented incoming classes in the nation to Knoxville next season. But nothing will kill that buzz faster than underperforming week after week in the fall.
What made Spurrier so funny his first time through the SEC was that he almost always got the last laugh. When he was at Florida, someone asked whether the Gators would beat Georgia yet again and Spurrier answered with a question of his own: “Is Ray Goff still the coach there?” Even better was his response to news that nearly two dozen books were burned during a fire in a football dormitory at Auburn: “The real tragedy was that 15 hadn’t been colored yet!”
Yet even Spurrier eventually met his match. After seven SEC titles and a national championship, he left Florida for the Washington Redskins and was asked upon arrival if he thought it would be tougher to win in the pros than college.
“Yeah,” he deadpanned, “because there are no Vanderbilts in the NFL.”
Spurrier left the Redskins after two seasons and a 12-20 record. Since 2005, he’s been back at South Carolina, where his reduced diet of jokes reflects his team’s inability to deliver a punchline.
Kiffin is at the other end of that career arc. He was the offensive coordinator under Pete Carroll for several of Southern California’s record-breaking squads, then became the youngest NFL coach in the modern era when he was hired by Oakland in 2007 at the age of 31.
Like Spurrier, he got humbled in a hurry — fired by owner Al Davis just four games into his second season after a 5-15 record. Kiffin didn’t have to wait long for his second chance, but he knows how shtick can get old in a hurry.
“Some of the stuff I had to do, I didn’t like it,” he said.
And if Tennessee’s return to respectability doesn’t materialize in a hurry, Kiffin is going to like it a lot less.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 164
tennesseeike writes:
Let it die!! I do not think we under acheived against Fla.
The jury is still out on the season we will have this year.I do know there is new life in Ktown and people are excited once again.
We need to continue to move forward and not dwell on the past..
GO VOLS!!!!
crimsonviper writes:
Are the Vols still playing Ohio Saturday?
For the love of God KNS it is wednesday,I am sure there are at least a few people who would like a story about the NEXT game.
Monte K. made Florida look bad. END OF STORY.
VOL FANS DESERVE BETTER...carry on.
justincredible369#357762 writes:
Although sometimes brash, you have to give credit to the Lane Train for reawakening the Vol Nation> No doubt with this coaching staff, in the next two years we should be competing for SEC championships again. And we all know that if you win the SEC that the NAtional title comes right be hind it! HOLY phooey IM EXCITED better take another Ritalin
Vols033 writes:
BolivarBob caught bashing his head into the wall for no reason. When questioned he says he wasn't aware of he wall but that he used to have a useful brain.
Vol_N_Texas writes:
I see another TN blowout coming up. Auburn will be more of a challenge than JC can handle. The defense will keep it close, but in the end, unless the defense scores, we won't beat anyone kicking field goals.
Go Vols
Cldvols1 writes:
Give it time, look at the improvement UT made from UCLA to UF. Things will get rolling and I still predict the Vols to go atleast 7-5 and shock a few teams this year. Go Vols!!!
GreerVol22 writes:
This story contiues to show the lack of creativity of the sports editor. When there is no news just repeat yesterdays and change the title...but I'm getting what i pay for...nuttin'
tennesseebee writes:
People can say what they want, but 1st, humor me..What do the following people have in common: Bryce Brown, NuKeese Richardson, David Oku, Jansen Jackson, Marsealous Teague? They believe in the power of the T. They came here and got to play right away. Potential QB's take note. If you are asked to don the big orange, it is because you are elite and you will play. Not because we found an unused scholarship in the bottom of the desk drawer. Go Big Orange!!
Laydbakvol writes:
The truly sad thing is that a year from now all of this is going to be dragged up again and we're going to have to listen it to one more time as if we're supposed to give a flip.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
I hope the Vols aren't depending on KNS for their info on Ohio. The Vols won't cover the spread but I doubt we lose unless we put the game in our QB's hands.
UT 13, Ohio 3, over & under on Crompton's INTs. 4
Fla. game in 11 months & 3 weeks, Ohio game in 3 days
FOCUS! GO VOLS!!!
cooper65#432178 writes:
Kiff's latest was merely a response from Urban belittling Lane and the Vols. I'm sure the player's appreciate Lane. The national media hates Lane, so what. Remember Tressel was brash about beating Michigan when he took the Ohio State job. The difference was Ohio State had better talent and Michigan was poorly coached. Keep it up Lane except please make a QB change.
CincyVol15 writes:
I am sick of hearing people bash Kiffin for his talk. The guy took over a stagnant program and is turning it around in the right direction. Without his "talk" UT would not have gotten the recruits this year they got and they certainly wouldn't be looking at a top 5 class for 2010. The wins will come. It doesn't happen over night.
Vol86 writes:
Articles geting old
GerryOP writes:
crimson, any chance you are taking this junk a bit too seriously? Lighten up dude!
smokyredbone writes:
Boliver Bob is a dork!!!!
GerryOP writes:
But it feels so good when the pain goes away after he stops!
crimsonviper writes:
Just a little bored.I like to rattle the KNS cage at least once a day.
GerryOP writes:
Consider it rattled. Now, a lttle jousting with windmills and your boredom might go away!
Peace bro...
finn writes:
The man's got a point. By this time, we all know what Kiffin said and most folks have probably heard about the score by now. Control your own content and start posting relevent articles. Rucker seems to be the only legit sportwriter left in all of TN.
sambosam411 writes:
I hope your prediction is about as accurate as your grammer. I am a realist, I do not think we will beat the spread. But we will win this game. When asked after this reply, I said the author of the comment was speaking out of the wrong hole.
crimsonviper writes:
Once is probably enuff'. You have a good rest of the day....
TrueVolFan writes:
Can someone please tell me how many CONFIRMED cases of the flu (any flu, swine flu, dog flu, any kind) that the Gay-tors have? I haven't heard one report! All I keep hearing about is flu-like symptoms. I have one guess why so many Gay-tors are feeling flu-like symptoms this week, they got nailed for four quarters saturday. Flu-like symptoms include the following )Fever, muscle aches, headaches, extreme tiredness, chills, and diarrhea.
Let me take a minute and explain each of these for you.
1. Fever- you live in Gaynesville
2. Muscle Aches- Brandon James aches comes from Janzen Jackson, Demps came from Rico and Tebow's came from EB-14
3. Headaches- see muscle aches
4. Extreme tiredness- this is what happens when you go against Monte's defense compared to playing C. Southern and Troy
5. Chills- I get chills myself everytime I see Tebows helmet crammed halfway in his shoulder pads after that hit from Berry!
6. Diarrhea- Have you smelled the air in Gaynesville, from the smell there I'd say diarrhea is pretty common year round.
So I agree with Oscar Meyer, most of the Gay-tors probably do have flu like symptoms! You're Welcome. Go Vols!
Vol86 writes:
Common folks, the vols are terrible. But, certain groups cannot get us out of their heads. They know whats comming. Fear the Kiff.
FWBVol writes:
"Somebody in orange is going to have to step up, since Tennessee is already 1-2 and the one-liners seem less funny the more the Vols lose."
You would think from this statement that Tennessee was something like 1-9 instead of 1-2. And of course one of those losses was to the No. 1 team in the country.
Yes, the sky must be falling.
VolunteerLifer writes:
Typical lazy, follow the herd storyline by another member of the sportswriters cult: It's OK for Meyer to take a dig at Kiffin after the game (not playing to win, blah, blah, blah); that's just fine, because Meyer has alot of wins. But if Lane slaps back, that's not fine. That's being mouthy, brash, too cocky, unfunny, etc. And why? Well, by some odd reasoning, Mr. Expert Sportswriter thinks that Kiffin can't open his mouth until he first has as many wins as Litke thinks he should have.
Kiffin reminds the sportswriters cult and the gator nation of the jerk they protected and visited upon the rest of us, Steve Spurrier. That gators howl like stuck pigs from Lane's lip proves they can dish it out with the best of them, baby, but when it comes back to them in like kind they just can't handle it.
And the sportswriters cult that includes Litke thinks florida fans shouldn't have to take back what they've dished out for years, because one of those two coaches had a lot of wins and the other doesn't - yet. So my question to Litke and his beloved gator nation is: just who died and made sportwswriters, florida fans, and florida coaches the arbiters of who has license to talk smack and who doesn't?
Seems to me that as dense as most sportswriters are, that's the last group we want to be in charge of that criteria. And with the memories of Spurriers loud mouth - and now Meyer's -still ringing in our ears, no one at florida has the credibility to do that, either.
You're pretty mouthy, Mr. Litke. You talk alot of smack her in this article. How many wins do you have as a head coach at the college level? For how many NFL teams have you been the head coach? How many Heisman winners did you coach as an OC in a big time program? How many NC's did your team win when you were an OC at a big time program? How many awesome offenses have you built like the ones Kiffin built at USC? Oh, gee, let's see... that would be......none? How about we revoke your license to talk smack? By your own criteria, you certainly haven't earned it, now have you?
VolinCalif writes:
I maybe a little old in my thinking, but it sure appears that the ink runs a lot more than Lanes mouth. To start those items were almost nothing, some were false( pumping gas). But in a lot of ways I love the rehash because it keeps UT and the Vols in the lime light. As for winning, Lane and crew need a little time. But if one cares to look they are already big winners. Look at recruitint, fan base activity, news, playing skills and how the players respond etc.
Waldorf writes:
Another ho-hum article the KNS pulls from elsewhere.
Then again, what else to expect when the hometown newspaper can't even get the coaches to answer questions, get sources to call back about leads, or find timely recruiting info because their "sources' are too far removed from what is going on?
CrankE writes:
Yawn....
Can't spell flu without UF. (or is it FU?, whatever.)
Bring on the Bobcats!
OrangePride writes:
It is no doubt obvious to everyone that Tennessee left a bunch of points on the field against both Florida and UCLA. Inability to punch in touchdowns and settle for field goals played a big role in both losses. Ohio is not as good as either UCLA or Florida, but they are a darn sight better than Western Kentucky. My expectation is that Tennessee comes to that game intent on finishing drives. But even if that happens and Tennessee wins by two or three touchdowns, you know now what is going to be said.... "Yea, but it was Ohio. Lets see about Georgia next week." My hope is that these Vols have a great day, get a nice W, settle on a lineup that will work, and is ready to play another big SEC game the following week. GO VOLS!
khelton657 writes:
Thank goodness we finally have a Coach whose warrior mantra is more than " Humble but hungry"..that always gets 'em fired up...I'm glad to finally see some personal fire...people act like their leadership...
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
Next 3 games with Crompton at QB: 1-2
Next 3 games with Stephens at QB: 3-0
Next 3 games Crompton at QB: 9 more INT and 3 TD
--great day for Danile Lincoln
Next 3 games with Stephens at QB: 2 int and 9 TD
-- Lots of extra points for Lincolm--
Just make the move and get it over with
abnermc writes:
And we all know what's in the town of Boliver.lol
bigorange_inbham writes:
I'm glad most of you are more positive than I am, I have to say I see the point that Meyer was making. There was no hurry up offense and it seemed just fine with our staff to keep it close. Kiffin talks about a "moral Victory" who cares we are 1-2 and with our awful qb might not even make a bowl game again this year.
Personally I would like to see Kiffin shut his mouth until we start winning some games. At the end of the day winning games is what counts and Kiffin hasn't proven that he can get us back to where we should be!
dlobh writes:
It seems that some folks didn't notice last year that even Fulmer went back to Crompton when Stephens screwed up enough. That's 2 head coaches, plus a few assistants, that think that Crompton is the better option. As bad as that may be, we just don't have a good QB. If we did, we'd probably be 3-0. As it is, Stephens is probably not the answer either. There's a reason he's called Pick Nick. However, we can definitely win the next 3 with Crompton if they keep him under control and the defense continues to play great. I think he opens up the offense some this weekend, take a couple of chances for experience, and with Monte's D keeping Ohio from doing much, we cover the spread. Ohio doesn't have the athletes Florida does, and our backs will gash them some. I love the Big Orange!
Raynoch writes:
I love how Meyer gets no criticism for his post-game low blow, but Kiffin gets roasted for responding to it.
Litke, we are only three games into the Kiffin era you moron.
golfgator writes:
Can someone please tell me who won last Saturday? The GATORS 23-13... I was glad TENN came to play and reveal areas to improve.. Just like Ole Miss last year except there was still a victory. The GATORS are 3-0 and looking forward.. TENN is 1-2 and dwelling on last Saturday.... Did momma leave the computer unattended this am? HA HA HA HA
toto_cold writes:
I'm just glad to see that KNS isn't the only place that has idiot writers.
jimr07 writes:
by the way. who is litke?
JACK8254 writes:
With frosh like J Jackson, and B Brown, there are better days ahead. Also, he is right, Fulmer was afraid of the Gators & the players picked up that fear. There was absolutely no fear last sat cause the Vols outhit the Gators . The gator line looked soft compared with the Vols. Now- dont let the 20pt underdog sneak up on you. Play every game with the same effort and this will be a decent year. Go Big Vols
Razzle writes:
To borrow a phrase from someone back in 2004, "JIM LITKE, you are a butt-weasel."
And like B.Bob said, time for forget about Florida and start thinking about Ohio.
Tenn 16 - Ohio 10
TommyJack writes:
I think Boliver was just trying to make a point.
crimsonviper writes:
Got any suggestions on who they should hire...oh I almost forgot..You Suck
givehim6 writes:
Yes just what I'm worried about. I think why we lost to UCLA was we were so blinded to the win over WKY UT felt bullet proof. Hope the same thing does not happen again, any team can bet the other team if there is no preparation to win.
crimsonviper writes:
Dude, He is a Vol fan.He was making a point about the need to focus on Ohio.
STEELMAN4VOLS writes:
he may have hurt his head in a crash: when he reached too far out on the limb for his favorite food - the bananna!
VolinCalif writes:
I never heard Lane say anything about a moral Victory other than there was no such thing. As for his game plan, you should think about it a moment. The Vol's could have won that game, they were in scoreing position more than once in the game and also during the last few min's. UM and a lot of others think Lane should have been passing to move the ball down field. Check the records on the Vols pass int,s. What UM and crew are really saying is it isn't fair, Lane wouldn't give me the ball back. For all who want to humor Fl there is a place for you to stick it. The Vols played a very solid game and anyone that knows football knows this, UM included.
dshawn13#224876 writes:
Kiffin will get the last laugh. But it will in 2011.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Thank you, sir.
I for one am no longer interested if Florida or whether Coach Meyer approved of Coach Kiffins game plan. I have never given a flying F-bomb at the moon what these writers think of our coach.
Gem writes:
Number "five" is hard to take. Something about the thumb. LK will make the adjustment.
TommyJack writes:
KNS enjoys riling up the faithful.
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