Until Tennessee and Auburn changed coaches after last season, this week's get-together at Neyland Stadium could have passed for a family reunion.
The Vols and Tigers had become virtual twins. They had so much in common, it's a wonder, SEC commissioner Mike Slive didn't investigate them for collusion.
They began stumbling in lockstep before the 2008 season when they hired new offensive coordinators, who immediately overhauled their respective offenses. Both offenses got worse with time. Both teams finished 5-7. Both programs fired their longtime successful head coaches and replaced them with coaches with losing records.
When new UT coach Lane Kiffin and new Auburn coach Gene Chizik hired high-profile, high-paid coaching staffs, the merger appeared intact.
Then Kiffin opened his mouth. And Chizik didn't.
Programs that mirrored one another for almost a year couldn't have hired more different personalities. You just couldn't tell it by their deadpan expressions.
The expressions rarely change. But if you look closely, you might detect a smirk lurking behind Kiffin's facade.
If you look past Chizik's stoicism, you see more stoicism.
Since signing on with UT, Kiffin has become ESPN's go-to sound bite. Chizik has become the coach in waiting for the witness protection program.
Kiffin is on ESPN so much, he might as well have his own reality show. Chizik is a prop for his celebrity assistants.
Curtis Luper is the assistant coach in charge of recruiting via Hummer. Trooper Taylor is the assistant coach in charge of sideline theatrics. Gus Malzahn is the assistant coach in charge of a madcap offense that is basically a two-minute drill extended over four quarters.
TV cameras show Malzahn and Taylor so much on the sideline, a casual observer might mistake them for co-head coaches. Between plays, you see Malzahn fidgeting like a third-base coach. When the plays work, you see Taylor chest-bumping everybody but the mascot.
While observing the Malzahn-Taylor show, I concluded Chizik and Kiffin actually might have something in common. If either one is struggling with insecurity, he's masking it brilliantly.
Some head coaches would be too insecure to hire a staff with as many high-powered assistants. Chizik has not only hired them. He has turned them loose.
Kiffin's chutzpah was evident from his first press conference when he fired his initial potshot at the defending national champion Florida Gators. Since then, he has been reprimanded by the SEC, derided by opposing fans, and beaten by The Gators.
But he hasn't stopped firing - or smirking beneath the surface.
Kiffin is assembling a top-five recruiting class and getting so much publicity from a 2-2 start, you would think the Vols were 4-0. The Tigers are 4-0, and just two victories shy of being bowl eligible.
So the two programs have achieved a parcel of common ground as they prepare for Saturday's meeting. They're both making progress.
One is just making more noise in the process.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 54
Volnauburn writes:
Agreed, and if UT doesn't get their phooey together Auburn will beat em! Go Vols
TurboFan writes:
Okay, everyone that thought Chizik would be ahead of Kiffin at this point raise your hand.
Put your hand down John.
mytrifecta writes:
Shows you what the so-called experts know...Of all the new coaching hires last year I can't recall one that got more criticism than Chizik. Glad for him that he's doing well. Hopefully he doesn't leave Knoxville still undefeated.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Gus Malzahn is the mastermind behind what they are doing, at least that is my take on things.
Is Malzahn to Chizik the same Cutcliffe was for Fulmer? Probably, at least basing it off of Chizik at Iowa State.
DHW writes:
The difference is that Tommy Tuberville didn't leave the cupboards mostly bare at Auburn.
tweetdriver63#346474 writes:
I've been pouring over stats for hours now, and I've found the one that tells the tale. Kiffin is now 7-17 as a head coach, but here's what it all comes down to: I've discovered that, as a head coach, he's 7-0 when his team scores more points than his opponent. So, I'm pretty confident that if we can do that this week, we'll beat Auburn.
Go Vols!
tweetdriver63#346474 writes:
How long until Malzahn is head coaching somewhere?
TheBanker writes:
John Adams is an interesting one to characterize. When UT gets his praises, it feels "dirty". Perhaps more like it is something that should not have happened so you go get tested for an STD and pray it comes back negative.
His assessment of the progress of the two coaches lack a full analysis of the programs the two coaches inherited. However, it is the type of opinion from Adams Vol fans have continually experienced.
Keep up the "good work" John.
TurboFan writes:
Slow down and repeat...John is furiously taking notes.
SEAL_9821 writes:
Yes he is. It's plain to see that the offense is putting up all the hype in Auburn. Their Defense is average from what I've seen. Gus will save Chiziks job in a few years.
tweetdriver63#346474 writes:
I don't care who you are, that's funny right there.
SECFB writes:
You need to make more accurate statements. Auburn
started fall camp w/ 75 scholly players, and Tuberville had not recruited well in the last few years at all. Might be a lesson learned here by young Coach Kiffin Saturday night.
IdahoVol writes:
I for one hope we don't hear any more sound bites from Kiffin until after the season is over - and then only if we have beaten a good team or two.
2407westTN_VOLSfan writes:
Note to John Adams,
I had to go back to be sure I was on the Vols site. This article seemed to lean more towards AUBURN than the BIG ORANGE. John, try to say some nice things about Coach Kiffin and the BIG ORANGE team this week! I think you still work for the Knoxville News don't ya? Try to be more positive towards the Vols!
VOLKING writes:
Um, guys....Auburn was a better team than us last year. That hasn't changed either. If I'm not mistaken, AU was a pre-season Top 10 team last year based on their talent level. Don't expect miracles until 2011. Our defense should help us stay close, but our offense will bog down on third and long. I hope I am wrong and we pull the upset. It's going to take some recruiting (QB) and time.....and a lot of patience.
BSweet writes:
Could someone remind me just who Auburn has played this year? Oh yeah, La Tech, Ball St, Miss St, and West Va. Pretty good chance we're 4-0 with that schedule as well. Of our two losses, one was to Florida. Do you think Auburn could have won that game? Sorry, I don't. As for the UCLA loss, we should have won that one, but didn't. No excuses there, but too much is being put into Auburn's record. Saturday should be interesting.
tdvol1989 writes:
This Saturday is a watermark for our program. In fact, it is really like Groundhog Day. If we lose, then Pux Phil sees his shadow and the winter is longer. That means we PRAY for bowl eligible.
But, if we win, the Football Winter is shortened. Not only are we 3-2 going into GA with a shot at a win, but we take a real step forward. This game is nationally televised and we show recruits that while we are a little short on talent, we are still a winning program. The media quits saying we are all talk. We re-claim Neyland Stadium. We have a 2 game winning streak. We show we can win in the SEC. Our new coach is better than their new coach. The coaches/fans/players/media think we can beat Georgia. And, this season goes from something we have to live through to something that has possibilities on Jan. 1. Of course, that IS presumptuous, but hope is the elixir of life for fans and players.
We really need this.
DukeDeLuca writes:
Lame comment. We have some studs. Either Kiffin will lead to win or he won't - we'll see.
Fulmer wouldn't be starting Crompton. B.J. Coleman wouldn't be leading UTC to an unbeaten season, either.
VolFanInTheBoro writes:
Another good dvd would be: Duhman STFU
aviator1 writes:
Best name for 2009 DVD featuring you:
It's an instructional video entitled:
3 Ways Explained : Featuring Urban "Lame Excuses" Meyer, "DaMan" and Tim "The Unconcious One" Tebow.
In all your other posts I've never seen you have the guts to say what team you pull for. All you have are unprovoked punches and jabs at the proud fans of other teams. Just remember.....eventually it comes around. We'll see if you show up here then. Until then, find another site you douche.
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
And of course Auburn isn't starting the worst QB in the history of the SEC either.
au2009 writes:
Hate to spoil your sharp little comment but Tuberville told his players he was staying in Ole miss the day before he left. He also said he would leave Missisippi in a pine box. Come on dude, get your facts straight. All coaches LIE, thats a fact.
HallowedHill writes:
Wow, there are some angry old men around here. The attitudes are about as stale as the news.
CadmiumOchre writes:
Hopefully, all injured SEC players recover well and that includes Tim Tebow. It's OK to be SEC proud and Vols prouder.
tdforvols writes:
0-4 Ball State put up 30 points against Auburn. This is a team who scored many less than that against New Hampshire, North Texas, and Army. I believe we can score enough points to beat Auburn by pounding the rock and controlling the time of possession. If Berry can get a pick or two that would be golden. It will probably be an ugly looking game but a "W" is all that counts in the end.
jakethevolguy writes:
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the D&A in DaMan stands for Dumb Arse!!
jakethevolguy writes:
In about two years he will be taking Oscar Myer's job after the drubbing Florduh takes when Tebow has left.
stratocaster54 writes:
Amen!
stratocaster54 writes:
That's funny... I didn't know John had learned to write!?!?
FearTheVols1252 writes:
First off, current NFL drafts are only looking at seniors since juniors haven’t declared yet. And if you’re looking at just at those stats both Auburn and UT have 1 player each. Granted, Berry will almost certainly declare early, but then I don’t know who might declare early from Auburn.
The award watch lists – UT has 5 and Auburn has 3. All ours are long shots with the exception of Eric Berry, and one of the players listed is McNeil – who is not even playing at this point. Hence… a non-factor. Not exactly staggering differences.
You’re right… we had more pre-season SEC players. All of 1 player is on the first team… gee, what an advantage.
All the players and commitments you’re referring too… yeah, not uncommon when a school undergoes major staff changes. I love how everyone is quick to say that we ‘ran off all these recruits’, but ignore the fact that we still pulled off a top-ten class and selected players more conducive with this style of play. And the players that left the program – the vast majority were either PO’d about the departure of Fulmer, or they were disciplinary problems. How many discipline issues have we had since Kiffin came in? How many has Florida had? Yeah – shut your mouth!
And you’re right – Chizik hasn’t run his mouth at all. You know what else? Our recruiting class was ahead of them last year and is well ahead of them heading into 2010. Oh yeah – we’re ahead of Florida too. He must be doing something right!
Besides – shouldn’t you be at the hospital tucking Tebow in rather than trolling UT forums?
iowa_vol writes:
Gene Chizik is an "a hole". He came to Iowa State with big plans and left that program in ruin. He has good players at Auburn because he was left with good players. He did do one heck of a job with recruiting assistant coaches. I think most Vol fans would like to still have Troop, and Malzahn does have an exciting offense. Two years from now, Troop and Gus will be gone on to other jobs, and Gene will sucking wind.
givehim6 writes:
And after Sat UT will be 3-2 and AU will be 4-1. But it will not suprise me with as many top 25 teams that lost this weekend that AU shows up in the top 25 AP.
tweetdriver63#346474 writes:
Nowhere near as astounding as yours.
Besides D Morley, name one other starter who left? Kiffin didn't run them off, they just weren't good enough to compete for playing time, or they were too lazy to put in the effort to do so.
Let's hear about all the guys Kiffin couldn't keep who are starting as freshmen for other SEC teams.
tweetdriver63#346474 writes:
Seriously? Chavis didn't make Eric Berry the best defender in America. EB made EB the best. Monte can't really control the was every OC on the schedule is scheming to avoid Berry.
As usual, you continue to prove to the world that you're the dumbest troll ever.
tweetdriver63#346474 writes:
One thing we do know, Kiffin won't blame all the injuries (2 of 3 starting LBs out, MLB is down to 3rd-string starting, Wes Brown out, Chris Walker injured, etc) or the flu.
tweetdriver63#346474 writes:
Coleman and Creer would not have been starters, and they knew it. That's why they left. Coleman also showed what a whiner he is, and people who bring up how he's lighting it up at UTC, or how he's leading UTC to an undefeated season....well, being BMOC at an FCS school doesn't mean he would be at UT.
Just sayin'
seventysevenvol writes:
Malzahn was a successful highschool coach in Springdale, AR and had Mitch Mustain as his QB. Houston Nutt, in a moment of desperation to sign Mustain, agreed with Mustain and his mom to sign on Malzahn as Asst. OC and QB coach (actually, Broyles told him to do it). Mustain pouted when pulled from the SC game as a freshman, started bad rumors about Nutt, conspired with So. Cal and transferred. Nutt, seeing he didn't need Malzahn, set him free and he ended up at Tulsa. Tulsa was pass happy for a year and racked up yardage against mostly mid-major programs. Now he's at Auburn and doesn't have much of a run offense, which is a glaring obvious in this year's Auburn offense( very average receivers by the way). They fling it around.
Quickly stop any attempt at Auburn running, and get Malzahn 100% into his pass-oriented mindset and then pick 'em off. Berry should have a hay day...
Malzahn is not a college wizard. He is pass happy and runs a lot of dinks and quick screens setting up deep posts(his favorite).
My son played against Mustain for 3 years while we lived in NW Arkansas. Malzahn has very predictable tendencies, and no, not an offensive genius. Stop any attempt at the run, and make him one dimensional.
I bet Sr. Kiffin is lickin' his chops about now...
WytheVol writes:
LMAO!!!
VolunteerLifer writes:
Yes, Auburn is 4 and o. But if they had played florida instead of one of their three opening patsies, they would be 3 and 1. I'm not sure how Wva compares to ucla. That would appear to be the difference between the two teams. Auburn barely beats wva, we barely lose to ucla, both games at home.
We were actually ripe for upset last week, with the emotion and energy expended vs florida the week before. I think we did well to escape, and look at it as a positive win, not a "moral defeat" as one of the spurtswriters said.
Nevertheless, things look unsettled on rocky top this morning. Reveiz out. other new injuries. Crompton didn't turn any corners. neither did the receivers. pass defense suddenly looks pedestrian, etc. Special teams allowed a TD on a kick return, a terrible no-no. (the kick return team needs coaching. badly) But we still have a running game and Eric Berry. That's some things we can keep building on.
Auburn is shaping up to be a pivotal game this season. The coaches will earn their money this week if they can get us a win. Time for yongsters and reserve players to step up. Time for the more mature injured players to heal quickly. Time to button the chinstraps.
GO VOLUNTEERS!!! BEAT AUBURN!!!!!
AUtim writes:
Is that what you really believe? You look at the score and your narrow mind immediately thinks the game was that close? They went 3 and out to start the game and our true freshman punt returner muffed the opening punt, losing the job in his first start. Ball State's points came from turnovers and our 2nd/3rd string defenses. There were probably more walk-ons playing at the end of the game than you can count on one hand. I'm sure it's a nice thought though. We have some problems on defense but it's Ted Roof. You may rack up some yards here and there before they get settled in, but he'll get his turnovers unlike past Auburn defenses. Oh yeah, who's your QB? He may get 10.
If you think you can beat us by running, you really are kidding yourself. Crompton will have to complete a lot of short passing. Good luck with that. Should be a dog fight, but don't base your offensive potential in this game off Ball freaking State.
Vol_in_Mich writes:
You are so right. Even Ray Charles could see this.
GO VOLS!!!
dbc5361 writes:
Really? Is that why Tennessee has been favored in every game except Florida? UT is a 3 point favorite over Auburn this weekend but I guess that's due to the UT coaching staff being so much better than Auburns. Tennessee does and will ALWAYS have more talent than 90% of the NCAA thanks to the highest recruiting budget in the NCAA including having better talent than Auburn.
For once try building up the young men that gave their heart to the Tennessee program instead of knocking them down in order to build up a coach that has done zero as the head guy and was begging for the Arkansas job when it came open!
MidwestVol writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
BreatheUT writes:
Good post 77vol.
I will say Auburn is a much better offensive team this year, but the defense is worse. Auburn is my favorite team in that state though, but looking at their schedule I think they still have a lot of questions.
1. Every game they have played has been at home.
2. There schedule has been much weaker than ours: LA Tech is 1-2 with a blowout loss to Navy, Miss State 2-2 played close against an overrated LSU and their signature win at Vandy, West Virginia 2-1 with close wins over Liberty and East Carolina, Ball State 0-4 that includes loss to New Hampshire.
3. UT schedule - W. Kentucky - terrible 0-4, Ohio 2-2 whose other loss is to UConn, and losses to undefeated UCLA and Florida.
One of the things that's hard to account for though is the confidence that an 4-0 start gives to a football team. I think we find out more about both teams this weekend. We could have run all day on Ohio so we don't take a whole lot from that performance because Coach Kiffin had to see what he could get out of Crompton and the passing game which still leaves a lot to be desired.
Go Vols!
SewaneeTiger writes:
Agree with VolunteerLifer.
--
When I think of what I've seen this year compared to last year, I have to say I come away more encouraged than discouraged. I really like the way Hardesty and Brice Brown are running the ball (pads down, N-S). Two reasons for this that I see: the O line is more disciplined and effective, and these two backs are running with fire in their belly. Would like to see us increase the number of times we throw to the backs slipping behind the pass rush out of the backfield.
rednilla writes:
ROTFLMAO!!! Are you serious? Gus Malzahn has won everywhere he's been. He won state championships at Springdale High School. He won 10 games at Arkansas in spite of the inner turmoil that went on that season. His Tulsa offense led the country in yards per game both years...and the second year, it was almost 50/50 run/pass. The first two games of this season, Auburn had two different running backs go over 100 yards rushing. While the defenses have stacked the box the last two games to stop the run, Chris Todd has thrown for 9 touchdowns.
Now, all of that said, I have nothing but respect for Monte Kiffen and the Tennessee defense. But yeah, go ahead and think that this is just a walk in the park. That's fine. We'll all find out how it goes on Saturday, anyway...I, for one, am not worried. Tennessee has a lot more to lose than Auburn does.
murrayvol writes:
Aubie has won 4 games at home vs middlin' competition. 3 of the next 4 are on the road SEC games.
If they're 7-1 after that, you'll have your SEC COY frontrunner.
VOL03_NC writes:
IMHO,
I think what most people who are not following UT and listening to the media are missing is that UT has much more potential than they are given credit. The team is maybe 60% complete. With a better qb/wr package would have us at 4-0. If we had even Auburns qb we would have beaten UF. BUT, that is a what if...
GO VOLS!!!
joeaubie writes:
Give it up Tim. I periodically view these boards and, with the exception of about 3 lucid souls, there's not a full brain between em. You remember the SNL John Goodman and Chris Farley skits? That's what you have here....DA VOLS!
Tide_fan writes:
Nothing against Kiffin and I definately hope AU gets a pounding but that was really funny.
Bama fan in Knoxville,
Peace,
George
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