Are you sure I didn’t get blamed for the Kentucky game? I’m sure somebody somewhere blamed me for that,”Lane Kiffin
Lane Kiffin hadn’t coached at Tennessee for two years, but was taking the blame for anything and everything wrong with the Volunteers until a shocking event last November.
What event was that? It was Tennessee’s first loss to Kentucky in 26 years, with Kentucky being led to a 10-7 win by a converted wide receiver who hadn’t played quarterback since high school.
Continue reading at The Atlanta Journal Constitution.
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Comments » 164
MGVOL22 writes:
You can hate Kiffin all you want, but the dude can coach.....Can't put that on him, just saying.
arkyvol writes:
agreed. the most painful memory about kiffen is the idiotic way a few vol fans reacted when he left. kiffen can coach--too bad he can't be depended upon.
8ball writes:
just saying........................
calvolfromkingsport writes:
His timing(by leaving) was terrible and showed no integrity. Hamilton rolled the dice and lost big. No doubt that he was going to USC if it ever called. Can't stand USC(way too arrogant) and I've lived here for a long time. However, Matt Barkley is a class act who is not only a great college fb player but a good young man with great character. Hard to see how he excels with CLK as coach. Talk about contrasts!
mountainbrook writes:
With other people's recruits. His only recruiting year at TN was a disaster.Only 9 out of 22 were still around this past season.
VolunteerLifer writes:
I tell you what will give you a good laugh - look at what's happened to Kiffin's Tennessee recruits. Those that aren't still in jail, that is.
bigsteve92 writes:
can coach what. well i hope you can win with a pete carrol loaded football team. he didnt do a good coaching job in the nfl. everyone ran circles around him. the team wasn't that great when he was here. you should easily be able to win at usc its a school every player in the country knows and its super easy to recruit there. he is a hell of a recruiter is what he is and thats about it
MGVOL22 writes:
Never said I liked the guy or anything like that....Just made the statement that he has a good system and can coach.
Also, yes maybe 9 out of 22....but that would happen anywhere when you have two coaching changes in three years.
dvhill100 writes:
Time to let it go. He made no bones about going to USC if he got offered and was up front about it to Hamilton. Who knew USC would open when it did. He did good and bad while here. Certainly entertaining theater.
SATCHMOE writes:
Don't care about Lane and hope to see no more articles on him or any of his family.Move on cause this is getting pathetic. Next question please.
tennrich1 writes:
Certainly wasnt USC's first choice but LK can coach. Is he a man of integrity and someone you want representing your program longterm? Nah, I think would all agree he's not...Actually I'm glad he's gone but man did his timing set us back...No doubt about it...Lane, you deserve a lot of the blame...your recruiting class KILLED us....
atributetoLombardiwasbanned writes:
"His timing(by leaving) was terrible and showed no integrity."
That's true, but that's not why I dislike him so much.
It's not even the whole mouth running thing that gets my goat. As a matter of fact, the majarity of the butt-kickings I've been involved in throughout my life (regardless of who turned out to be the kicker and who the kickee) have been as a direct result of running my mouth.
Want to know why I don't like him?
It's because he ran his mouth until he got a lot of garbage started between UT and about everybody else in the SEC East, and then cut out and left somebody else to have to fight the fights he picked.
I understand that coaches come and go, but don't talk up a fight and then bail out when the cutting starts. As far as I'm concerned he is a... (this insult not posted because KNS staff likely would remove it anyway.)
honesthoward writes:
Never liked the guy on a personal level but he managed to turn Crompton around in one season. That's more than the coaching staff could do before him.
3volfan writes:
he can coach???????????????? uhhh, what about 4 straigh HB dive plays on the goalline in a loss to UCLA? what about the scheme that virginia tech beat the phooey out of that "tough" monte defense? the cat could recruit, but i wouldn't say he is a good coach
RoadTrip writes:
Why would anybody care what the Liar Surfer Dude thinks? There is very little left of his recruiting class and the whole episode set the program back a couple of years. KNS and other media only direct junk journalism like this toward UT fans to get us agitated. See right through their shallow attempts, laugh at them, and remind them paybacks are H-E-hockey sticks. Then cancel your subscription to KNS and 247.
clvolfan writes:
Right-on,hate to say but,USC probably will play for NC this year,and would have 2011 had they not been on probation.
MidTennVol writes:
Never thought I would see another football coach surpass Steve Spurrier as the most hated one not in Tennessee but this slimy punk has done that.
Yes, I agree that what he did with Crompton was amazing. And he/we almost beat Bama.
Beyond that, I wouldn't trust a word coming from this kid's mouth. Sure as heck wouldn't let my kids play for him.
dvols writes:
TN would be on serious probation if lil lane was still here...
Joke will be on lil lane...Pac 10 is getting more competetive and USC will not be allowed to smack down the rest of the league!
RashaadSalabeb writes:
Is there nothing else to write about except for Kiffen and Kentucky? Don't you get tired of trying to ride a dead horse?
Go Vols!
deputy658 writes:
Please no more stories on Lane Kiffin. There is plenty to report on 2013 recruiting if you do a little research.
Colliervol writes:
I am not interested in anything that twerp has to say. In hindsight, his hiring is one of the worst things to ever happen at UT. I can't blame the KY game on him but I can darn sure blame some of the overall state of the program on him. No question his leaving after one year set us back several more years.
rootin4volz writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Connecticut_Vol writes:
This isn't the KNS. It's the Atlanta Urinal Constipation
VatoMobile writes:
Conveniently, Lane's memory seems to be escaping him concerning the NCAA violations...
Failing to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the football program and failing to monitor the activities regarding compliance of several of his assistant coaches.
Southland writes:
the man was an embarrassment to the UT football program. He can any Vol fan ever say anything good about a man that played USC tapes in the locker room and training facilities. he was and is a liar and a disgrace to anyone that tries to coach with some amount of class
Stooley_Dinks writes:
I hope we keep hearing about that Kentucky loss for a long time. Some people need reminding that the loss to THAT Kentucky team was a huge embarassment for the entire University.
Stooley_Dinks writes:
Well, he was a loose canon and probably learned a lesson at UT. But, at least he had more pride than to lose to Kentucky. And, THAT Kentucky team was better than the 2011 version. And, the 2009 Vol team was less talented than the 2011 Vols, especially at the end of the year when it seemed 2/3 of our LB's were out.
UT4prez writes:
I watched the USC-Minnesota game last year and USC almost lost to a bad team. One game means nothing. They won't run the table. 2 losses would be max though. I don't have a problem with Kiffin leaving for his dream job. The way he did it was wrong.
sm1 writes:
During his short stint as coach at UT, I saw some things that were, in my opinion, plusses, and others that were, in my opinion, minuses.
The plusses were:
1.) The whole team was in better physical condition (compared to '08), particularly the OL.
2.) The '09 OL play was improved over the '08 OL play.
3) He, or the staff, did do a good job with Crompton, eventually getting him to play as well as he did.
4) The staff did a good job teaching the defense to strip the ball and create turnovers.
5) The team as a whole seemed to execute better than they did in '08, so the players WERE actually getting coached through the week.
The minuses were:
1.) I never liked his big mouth or his smarmy, snarky attitude. (I am tempted to add to this, his willingness to bend (if not break) the recruiting rules, but per the investigation, I guess he did nothing majorly wrong.)
2) His play calling at times seemed to be ultra-conservative--to a fault. Against Va Tech, for example, Va Tech was comfortably ahead, but the game was not yet out of reach. I think it was the 4th quarter. UT had the ball 3rd down and very long, and he called a running play for very little gain, and then punted: almost as if he really was not trying to win, but just trying to keep it close, and make the final score look respectable.
3) I don't like the way he dealt with Tauren Poole or B. J. Coleman.
4) And of course, I don't like the way he left us high and dry so close to NSD. I understand, he left for his dream job, but his timing could not have been worse.
Since you brought it up, please let me say a word in defense of Monte's defense: From the get-go, there was not much depth on that squad: a whole lot of heart, but not much depth. On top of that, with a few exceptions (e.g., Eric Berry, Janzen Jackson (sp?), and maybe one or two other players) the defensive players lacked talent and speed, compared to many players at other upper echelon schools. By the end of the year, this already thin squad had suffered some key injuries to some key players, most notably, Nick Reveiz (sp?) I think Monte and his staff did the best they could with what they had, and overall, I think that squad did a great job.
(Someone might also bring up the Ole Miss game in which Dexter McCluster ran for about a million yards against the Monte defense. The absence of Jenzen Jackson and Nick Reveiz in that game certainly made a difference, but McCluster may have had a great day running even if these two had played.)
That's my take on coach Kiffin and his staff.
BigVolFaninSC writes:
We get the chance to read AGAIN another article about the loss to Kentucky! KNS must do a search on the net everyday to see if there's any possible way to get those words in front of VOL fans as many times as possible!...ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vol_in_Mich writes:
Anyone with half a brain knew the UT job was a stepping stone for Kiffin. I remember fans on here saying they hoped we got three or four years out of him before he left for USC. Nobody knew Pete Carrol would leave when he did but they should have known Kiffin would jump on his "Dream Job" My problem is why was he hired in the first place knowing this? Would nobody else take the job?
What a mess UT sports has become.
GoVolsReally writes:
Could not agree more. Didn't like him, don't like him now, never liked USC, don't care to hear about him. Thank you.
THEKIDWISCONSIN writes:
It was over two years ago...who is bringing up Tennessee & Lane Kiffin anymore...except for Lane Kiffin?
Dude, get over yourself...
SC_Grad_Fight_On writes:
Love him or hate him, Kiffin is a lightning rod. During his original tenure at USC, there were grumblings about him in Heritage Hall. His current contract has many more clauses regarding his behavior. Shoot, AD Haden even hired a full-time compliance officer to keep an eye on Kiffin.
Will SC win a National Championship? From my lips to god's ears - I hope so. Just as any Vol fan hopes Tennessee wins another NC; feels pretty good.
Will my children go to USC? I hope they do so. Any school that took a chance on a Jersey kid like me and offered a "full ride" has earned my never ending respect. More so, USC taught me things about life, tradition, education, and more.
Having said that, now that I've been here for two years, I like this area. I really enjoy the average Vol fan's passion for the Orange and White. Think about why this story was run - because the Vol fans still talk about his departure. Well handled? No, but he got his dream job.
Will I be disappointed if my children go to UT? No, anywhere but the University of Children of Lower Achievement.
Timbo_Slice writes:
"I know this: I did everything the right way there..."
Are you kidding me, Lane? I can see he still has trouble telling the truth while his mouth is moving. He might of learned his lesson about running his mouth and disrespecting the competition but he's still a lieing weasel in my book!
They might be highly ranked this year but they still have 2 more years of scholarship reductions. As we all know, it's hard to compete with a short roster...darker days ahead for the trojans!
what_a_joke writes:
Show me a good loser and Ill show you a loser..
Lane can coach...if we still had Lane we would be pre-season top10....instead we are pre season top 40 and our coach is on the hot seat
WhitePineVol77 writes:
I am sick that Kiffen did not stick around to build the dynasty he could have built here. I think his mother, or his wife's, dislike of KnoxPatch was the true driving factor (say what you want). This isn't Tampa, or LA by any stretch. Still, he can coach, recruit, and surround himself with good staff.
Can't hang the KY debacle on him! It's all on the current crew now, as it was that day last November.
Willis writes:
It wasn't your fault Kiffy. I put full blame on John Adams, Mike Hamilton and all the arm chair coaches that saw a better future without Phillip Fulmer.
Clarkrm0706 writes:
I would like a coach that can win and have integrity. I am not saying Dooley can't (I am in the "results will tell" crowd.) Seems like there is a lot of either/or these days, that is very unfortunate.
VOLSONTHECOMEBACK writes:
I agree that we would be ranked higher, accept it wouldn't mean anything cause we would be on probation and would be Alabama 10 years ago.
Clarkrm0706 writes:
Guess I will repeat it "I am not saying Dooley can't win".
I know you are in fight the trolls mode but my comment was regarding the win v integrity battle. I think we could do both.
volsfan74 writes:
Knox News please stop posting stories about Lane Kiffin I did not even read the story I came straight to the comments. Kiffin is gone he is just another coach on the West Coast. We are over the Kiffin Saga, we have moved on I wish your writers and staff would do the same.
VolFan1958 writes:
If we still had Lane Kiffen I would bet the house we would be under an NCAA investigation by now. This guy dose not care who he crapps on or who he hurts. I say quit talking about him because that chapter of Tennessee Football is over.
MGVOL22 writes:
I want to know, SpongeBob, just a few things....Have you EVER coached college football before? High School Football?....Played College football? Simple questions....
Also, you can say Kiffin is a weasel, I don't disagree, but he can still coach....and don't bring up his NFL record, its a different game than college.
arkyvol writes:
in case anybody wonders if the majority of the posters here have a clue, consider the number of those who vehemently deny that kiffen can coach. this is a coach who took over a team with scholarship limitations, bowl bans, and the most stringent sanctions since smu and has it at number one. then consider that they swear that his successor at u.t., who is in desperate search of the second winning season in his career, is the second coming of knute rockne. i don't like kiffen either, but i'm not going to make myself look foolish.
SevenT writes:
Lane Kiffin represents the anti-Fulmer orange koolaid crowd that shows up obnoxious drunk and wears orange overalls to the UT games, has a Jethro toothless smile and is a complete Homer embarassment to the University of Tennessee Football program and fan base. Y'all got what you asked for when you fired Fulmer
Just Saying
ProfessionalHandicapper writes:
Lane is not the only one getting a good laugh at all the excuses made for Dooley. Im sure Randy Sanders had a big laugh after he beat his old school with a WR at QB. SWEET REVENGE for Mr Sanders. And Chavis got a laugh himself at Dooleys expense. More Sweet revenge for unwanted "Vols for Life"
martinvol34 writes:
Exactly. Another story to revisit the Kentucky loss. Pathetic.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
His timing in leaving UT was actually better than Dooley's was leaving La. Tech. Just saying...
PUL4VOLS writes:
The Real "Laugher" is that this article appears and anyone who is a True Vol Fan cares what the former head coach Twinky Soft Cakes thinks, feels, or does. We are done with him. I for one, will be glad when this site wises up to that fact. As for "he can coach," yeah right, I could coach at USC but we will find out how good he is when this year rolls around. USC playing for a national title, I doubt that but then I am no expert but a TRUE TENNESSEE FAN FOR LIFE!
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