Kippy Brown’s turn to interview is scheduled for today according to a source.
At least one of his former players believes the interim Tennessee coach should have a chance to make it permanent.
Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson, a player with no ties to the Vols other than a relationship with Brown, reached out this morning to The Sports Page to endorse his old position coach as Lane Kiffin’s replacement.
“The way he prepared and coached me really showed up on the field,” Johnson said. “He’s been an offensive coordinator for a few different teams, and I think him being a college head coach would fit perfectly.”
Brown's ties to UT after serving two stints as an assistant make him a strong candidate as well, though Louisiana Tech's Derek Dooley and Utah's Kyle Whittingham have also emerged as the search heads into its third full day.
Brown also has a solid reputation for his work with some of the best receivers in the game and is already at UT, which could also make him more appealing. Perhaps the only concern for the Vols at this point might be his ability to recruit after spending so much time in the NFL, but Johnson also suggested that shouldn't be an issue.
Perhaps the only concern for the Vols at this point might be his ability to recruit after spending so much time in the NFL, but Johnson also suggested that shouldn’t be an issue.
“The big thing about Kippy was, before I was drafted he didn’t know anything about me,” Johnson said. “He came down to Miami to learn everything about me, and then I got to learn everything about him. It was really like a father-son bond.
“I can remember times during my rookie year, I was going crazy. We were losing all the time, I couldn’t understand it. He would always come by me, put his hand on my shoulder and give me that talk. No matter what, he would tell me that things would all work out.”
Brown and the Vols are both in the process of trying to work something out today. The next candidate up will be taking an NFL endorsement with him into the interview.
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Comments » 245
willaustin writes:
Go Kippy! First
pms151 writes:
I can hear Kiffin now. "I hired him."
FWBVol writes:
Kippy should have been the first and only guy to interview for the job.
Let's get him in place, round out the staff with a few young guns and go get em. We can still salvage this thing and come out looking great.
Volon writes:
Not many options when you can't bring any assistants with you. No big name coach would want that, expecially when one of the assistants you get is the brother in law of the scum that got you in this situation.
RockyTop1 writes:
Got my Vote!! Kippy, Kippy, Kippy!!!! He's "All VOL" and has "CHARACTER"!!!! Somerhing that was missing in LK!!! It's Time to be Tennessee AGAIN!! GO VOLS!!
Canadavol writes:
Enough of the circus search, Kippy is the man.
pms151 writes:
Andre Johnson
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/s...
jakethevolguy writes:
Yes!! Kippy has been my choice all along. I don't understand why it has taken Hammy this long to interview him. I think Kippy would bring a lot of stability to the program and I feel that he would assemble a staff that will get the job done. Both in recruiting and winning championships.
VOLtraveler writes:
Kiffin wouldn't have had a chance to hire him at UT had he not already been here before. I'm sure Kippy didn't take this job because of that idiot.
rockytop4ever writes:
I was really impressed with Coach Brown in the press conference the other day. I have no problems letting him run our football program. Yes he has been out of college for awhile but didn't kids jump at the chance to pay for an NFL coach last year?...im just saying...he can prepare a kid for a football future. Thats huge in recruiting.
RockyTop1 writes:
The man was responsible for getting Peerless Price to Tennnessee. Without Peerless we DO NOT win the NC in 98!! Enough for me!
He was the one that created a pipeline out of Ohio when he was here! MANY great players HE was responsible in getting for us! Recruiting ??? NOT a problem - Hope this helps!!
GO Kippy and GO VOLS!!!!
VolFaninCT writes:
NYTIMES reports that usc football 3yrs probation and 2yrs no bowl games or television time if i was a recruit i wouldnt want this cant be on tv scouts wont see u as much!!!!
**************************
Where did you see this?
ahouseho#651452 writes:
we do not have much of a choice now. he just may be the right man . let's give him a chance. we can not afford to lose the recruits that are hanging on for a decision .
ahouse
BornVolDieVol writes:
Kippy it should be. Done.
pms151 writes:
DITTO!!!!!!
NeylandLives writes:
1982 article
bahamapapavol writes:
I didn't know much about Kippy until recently, but after his exposure on tv the other day, I was really impressed with his demeanor. Obviously, his coaching experience that he brings is impressive. Some say they are unsure of his recruiting abilities......if I were a recruit and he came into my living room, I'm sold on his sincerety. He comes across as a Fulmer type guy, which was a very strong point he had when talking to parents and recruits. Surround him with solid assistants and you've got a winning strategy!
OrangeCrush writes:
I would clearly like to see Kippy Brown as the next HC. A proven track record, integrity, Vol family, and a down to earth person. Bring in some additional coaches - he knows a bunch of them - and we'll be fine.
No more used car salesmen or carpetbaggers!
RockyTop1 writes:
link to NYT .... http://www.nytimes.com/1982/03/21/spo...
marinevol writes:
It's Lovie Smith, but Kippy might make a good OC.
http://www.techbanyan.com/8272/coach-...
scvols writes:
BS, Kiffin hired him because he is a good coach and showed he could recruit. Lets see what he can do, I say give him a three year contract.
FWBVol writes:
Kippy is the coach that helped make Tennessee "Wide Receiver U."
Not many people had heard of Gene Chizik and he did OK at Auburn his first year.
Kippy is the right man for this time in Tennessee football history. And it is time to get on with the Kippy Brown era on The Hill.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
Personally, I don’t care about his lack of name recognition. Right now, I think he’s everything this program needs. He’s proved he can recruit, he’s proved he can coach, and he would be a great steward for UT. I, like everyone else, was THOROUGHLY impressed with his press conference, the way he conducted himself, and how he’s managed the team since this whole debacle started. Kiffin likes to tell everyone what they WANT to hear. Kippy tells everyone what they NEED to hear, and I think that’s something we sorely need right now. I know he’ll go out there and work his arse off. He understands and embraces the traditions, the fans, and the privilege of playing for UT. I think that message will resonate to the kids he’s recruiting, he’ll have the respect of his fellow coaches, and I believe he’ll get the most out of his players.
But hey, that’s just my opinion.
bobowling1#1377232 writes:
Rumors surfacing everywhere, Mendenhall of BYU is expected to talk wit UT official later today.
This is being said by bloggers on several other sites. I have know knowledge just telling wht I have seen elsewhere..
Wikipedia shows that he is not a BYU lifer. Interesting I thought.
UGLY_RUMORS writes:
Coach Brown would be good. Coach Derek Dooley would also be a option.
anythinGOrange writes:
Name recognition? When and where was he a head coach? Heck, when and where was he a coordinator?
TommyJack writes:
Absent Whittingham, I would go with Kippy for sure.
SmokeyHowls writes:
I think Kippy is the man for the job. He will do great and bring the Tennessee family back together. Go Kippy!
VOLsince68 writes:
Hire Kippy NOW. Go get a top-notch young OC or DC and groom them to be a HC-in-waiting.
Keep any of the assistants we have now that got s#!t on by our last POS head boy that WANT to be at UT; and lets move forward.
GO VOLS!!!!
walt23tn writes:
HIRE KIPPY AND LET'S MOVE ON!!!!!
VolJunkie writes:
Kippy, just tell them you look good in orange ...
Go Vols!
All_Vol writes:
I like Kippy for the job. If Lovie Smith is seriously interested lets him interview as well.
SmokeyHowls writes:
He was head coak for the Memphis Maniacs of the XFL - He beat the eventual championship twice.
oldbasshead writes:
I know Brown is being interviewed, but does anybody know why some of the other coaches on staff are not being interviewed. What about the current OC, Chaney?
gnm53108 writes:
Hire the man NOW!
Stop wasting time.
He's got some recruiting to do.
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
May not be a bad move. Kippy has some ties to the "Fulmer Era," but I think he's far enough removed that it's nothing anyone would have to worry about as we would had Coach Cut taken the job. With that said, good luck to Cut--bring the Blue Devils into ACC football prominency!!! (In other words, beat the living fool outta VT, FSU, GT, and UM) :)
TennVolAlum writes:
This is merely a formality, and nicety. Kippy Brown is NOT going to be our head coach. The last thing we need right now is a "nice guy", like Fulmer. We need some energy, some disipline, and some fast action to stay competitive.
Firemedic21 writes:
Yeah it's time to stop all the BS.No need for an interview.Hire Kippy,He bleeds Orange like most everyone here.Fire Hamilton and get on with it.
anythinGOrange writes:
Whoa?! If he could be successful coaching football here in Memphis then he should be a great fit in Knoxville!
orangelovinyankee writes:
Why do you guys keep reminding us of that Kiffin guy? He's a jerk and he's out of here on his way to coach one of the "best" programs in the country that will be on probation. Remember, what goes around comes around.
dadto3girls writes:
Mike Hamilton, do you remember when you were the Assistant AD 8 years ago and UT had "head hunters" looking for a replacement for Dickey? How did that make you feel?
Well Kippy is in the same boat right now!!!
Do the right thing and come home to make Kippy your new head coach....he's here to stay and in my opinion would be a great hire.
rockytop4ever writes:
LMAO! ah karma! she will get u everytime!
FEARinSEC writes:
It would definately be a huge upgrade in character, integrity, and principles over the last coach!
I like Kippy and think it would be a great hire! He better be given the $$$ to assemble a staff like "poster child for Trojan condoms" was given!
Go Vols!!!
marinevol writes:
Kiffin and Orgeron to start out on probation. Let's get a coach and go after USC recruits.
http://www.nytimes.com/1982/03/21/spo...
CUSA_NEWS writes:
Wow! Nobody wants this job.
Muschamp, NO!!
Cutcliffe, NO!!
Face it, u guys must settle for anything now. Kippy, not a Wow Hire but that's all you guys will be able to mustard. A major program should be able to pi k I choose, so I thought. Lol lol
gnm53108 writes:
Hahaha
Agree.
Hahaha
Orange_Crush writes:
Published: March 21, 1982
darbhoo writes:
I just watched Kippy's video when the chips were down. He is the man. Then I watched Orgeron's interview...what a difference. I support Kippy Brown as a graduate of Tennessee and as a sports fan in general. I am tired of the hustle and shuffle.
I think Kippy is capable, honest and a man of integrity and is the kind of coach that players and their families want to be associated with. Kippy will bring athletes who are proud to wear the Orange & White and players we, as Tennessee fans, will be just as proud to support.
The interview for Head Coach is an interview for the type of players we will be fielding as representatives of the state of Tennessee. I'm tired of chest thumping, gun toting, self-serving kids that are only interested in themselves. I am convinced that there are many still out there that will love and appreciate Tennessee football.
Get Kippy some good assistant coaches and let's get back to business. He makes sense in a time that no sense can be found.
TXVol76 writes:
Hire Kippy, retain what's left of the existing crew, add Al Wilson and a few others to fill out the group. We will be fine!!! GBO!!!!
volatil writes:
Basilio now saying it's Freaking Dooley. A guy who has a loosing record at La. Tech.
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