Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Jon Agee — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:08:15 GMT

I am a Vol fan to the end. I lament the loss of Fulmer. He was a coach, mentor and educator. He represented UT well. I have always been proud that UT was a place of hight education first, not a football factory. I love football. Passionate, undergraduate football has no equal. Kiffin has shoes bigger to fill than he understands. Victories may make a few alumni happy but it will not make him a Volunteer until he grasps the whole picture.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Robert N., Phoenix, AZ. — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:38:45 GMT

I'm a Trojan and Raider fan and will always be. I have mixed feelings on Kiffen though. He needs to respect his new position and the SEC. I don't think comming in to the SEC with a shake thngs up kind of attitude is going to play well or be accepted. The opposing coaches are NOT going to let up easy on throttling the numbers on the scoreboard. He will have to do something that he could not do for the Raiders and that is motivate his team after they have taken a beating from there division rivals. We all know how humiliating college scoring can be.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Mark Miller — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:29:35 GMT

Lane Kiffen alone, will be all the motivation Alabama, Carolina, Florida, LSU, etc Will need when they play. I don't think Tennessee will catch anybody overlooking them...they can thank Kiffen for that...whether thats his plan or not, thats the way it is.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Joe Sbuttoni — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:42:47 GMT

This article and comments are just a bunch of bull! Nobody "overlooks" TN anyway, and Urban Meyer sure never has.

And the premise that TN hadn't slipped into the 2nd tier of the SEC (along with Arky, SC, KY, Ole Miss) in the past five years is just asinine. Did Mr. Tamanahana even see any TN conference games last year? Phil Fulmer was too busy getting his teeth kicked in to make anybody mad, but that sure didn't stop Urban, Nick, Mark and the rest of the boys from kicking the living dogcrap out of TN.

I'm sure FLA, ALA, AUB GA and LSU would have liked it just fine if Philip Fulmer had remained the Vols head coach forever- it would have kept an easy w on their sched.

But who care what those schools think or whether Urban's panties are in a bunch, anyway?

Let's face it, all anybody cares about is winning, and whatever happens with Lane Kiffin, at least it won;t be boring! Go Vols!

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

millsy mills columbus, ohio — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:55:21 GMT

college football coaches represent more than just the image of a won/loss record. they in many aspects represent an entire region/state of the country. you also need to learn how to be an ambassador. trust me, i listen to the 'speaker of the house' all the time. Tressel. oh boy,....tough getting a simple answer sometimes.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

dave — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:36:41 GMT

just remember what happened to the last guy that embarassed urban meyer. Ask Knowshon and Stafford what happened to their national championship dreams

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Frank, from the SEC — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:29:51 GMT

John Tamanaha's article is typical of anyone who knows little about the SEC. Its a cat and mouse game here in the south. Nobody overlooks any game in the SEC. Give Kiffin a chance to get on the field during a game before you spout your mouth off.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Jay Martin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:17:46 GMT

I'm a UT grad and fan, but not blind to the fact that they have been and will always be a football factory. The UT Athletic Department has considerable power there and if you try to deny that fact you are too much of a homer to see the truth. I would rather Kiffin kept a low profile until he got the lay of the SEC land, but he didn't and now we'll have to see what he can do on the field. His antics will keep us in the news until the first ball is kicked off when the season starts. Hold on Vol nation, it could be a bumpy ride!

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

BSHARP — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:30:28 GMT

YOUR RIGHT SBUTTONI THEY HAVE FELL WELL BELOW THE SECOND TIER TEAMS

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

John Wilson, Nashville, TN — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 02:16:31 GMT

Just wonder if Kiffin will even last to a second season in Knoxville after only a six win season. Vols fans will be missing Fulmer by the 4th game of the season. This guy is an embarassment.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Ryan, Orlando, Florida — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:15:25 GMT

Lane Kiffin seems to me he is the George W Bush of College Football. He clearly is not qualified for the job but lives off the good Kiffin name. I wonder if the Vols new when they choose him that they would get Daddy Monty in the deal. I hope they knew that, because that is the good part of this decision. With Monty at the helm on Defense they have a chance making it through a brutal SEC schedule with a few wins. I don't blame Lane for shaking things up and taking a few shots at SEC opponents, but I hope daddy's defense can bail him out when he plays the Gators, Gamecocks, and Bulldogs this year.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Cody, TN — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:02:30 GMT

I've been a loyal Vols fan for years, and was saddened to see Fulmer "resign". But, I'm not passing judgement on Kiffin until the first game, then we'll see where it goes from there. Until then, I'm cutting the guy some slack.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Smasher Zincalloy, Dallas, TX — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:19:27 GMT

Gotta love it! Tennessee is reminiscent of GM, making the same arrogant mistakes year after year. Let's fess up, UT has always been a football factory, albeit an old tired one that is in desperate need of retooling. What the program needs is an experienced, professionally mature leader. Instead, predictably they hired a bozo like Kiffin. This sideshow will drain the life out of the program.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Hercules Rockefeller — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:18:38 GMT

As a Trojan fan, we all know Lane Kiffin is an incompetent, arrogant jerk, and the person most responsibly for running Norm Chow off (we believe that Monte Kiffin saved Pete Carroll's life or something, his loyalty to the kid was inconceivable)

But this article is a poorly researched hatchet job. Kiffen sucks, but the Raiders were actually better under his coaching, and USC converted NUMEROUS 4th downs until that last fateful one in the Rose Bowl.

That being said, I'm sorry for you Vol fans, he is not the answer and you are going to suffer.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Mike, Gainesville, FL — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:27:54 GMT

Great Article. Check out the Kiffin quote that Florida has on it's lockerroom wall!

http://www.gatortailgating.com/content/follow-heavener-football-tour-vol-fan-comments

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

M. Farmand, Jax, Fl — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:33:16 GMT

If this part of Kiffen's plan, then his plan must include burning bridges with recruiting territories( Pahokee, South Carolina),insulting recruits (Marlon Brown) and cheating (recruiting violations). By the way, Urban never said a word about Kiffen's "joke", even though he was slandered at a time when he was visiting his sick father in Ohio (great timing Lane). Tennessee is a great school with a great football tradition. It deserves a lot better than this.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Incubus — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:54:42 GMT

Way to keep on top of the complete story, not that I'd expect any different from hack sports writers.

Kiffin called Alshon this week to see if he actually said the "gas pumping" comments, and Alshon told him that those words were never said. A completely fabricated story that hack sports writers took off and ran with because it will bring visits to their crap commentary.

Weak.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Hammer of Justice — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:06:08 GMT

Please be sure to bring this article back up in a year an then again in 2 years so that your stupidity can be put on display. What a hack. Davis brings up points worth debating? Davis is a thief and a cheat with no credibility whatsoever.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

tom — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:37:15 GMT

just wonder if you even tried to check the gas station story, or if you, like so many other insufferable know-it-all typists (notice I did not say writer) just regurgitated the silliness given you by OTHER biased reporters who themselves are supposed to be trained to check the facts and yet in this case have not troubled themselves.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

JMLo Nashville,TN — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 00:50:14 GMT

John Wilson, you're either a fan for another SEC team or a complete idiot.The program got lax under Phil,the players got soft,& UT got beat badly by the upper crust of the SEC.The program has finally got an attitude that's been missing for 8 yrs.
Has Kiffin made a slip of the tongue or two? Sure. He got over excited during a recruiting celebration with a bunch of UT booster. You know he's gonna incite the crowd & tell them what they want to hear.Every coach does it.He got a little carried away & it's been blown way out of proportion
But either way, every recruit in the nation knows who Lane Kiffin is,& it's starting to pay off

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Chris, Shreveport, LA — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:39:35 GMT

Sounds like he'll fit right in at Tennessee.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Jack Spratt, Tampa, Florida — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 03:33:23 GMT

Of course Florida wouldn't have "overlooked" UT no matter what Kiffin did or didn't say. But I recently saw a video of the area inside the stadium that's usually reserved for players and coaches. And guess what one of the first things you see as you walk into that area? A big sign on the wall - the only sign in fact - with Kiffen's quote about beating Florida and singing Rocky Top all night long. So you're right, UT wouldn't have been overlooked, but without an idiot like Kiffen there also wouldn't have been a sign about UT on the wall to motivate the players six months before the game is played either.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Mookie Winfied — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 13:02:39 GMT

I am gonna love seeing UT at the bottom of the SEC East for many years to come. Kiffin on the surface seems like a buffoon, too young and too immature to be in the "Big Boy" league....Keep him UT, you will be cellar dwellers for years to come...

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

karl pizzolatto baton rouge, la — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:26:49 GMT

I follow SEC football (LSU graduate & fan) and think Phil Fullmer IS an OUTSTANDING coach. He really got worked over by Tennessee. Winning the SEC east in '07 & fired in '08. It is a "what have you done for me lately" situation. Of course LSU coach Jerry Stovall was voted coach of the year one year and FIRED the next (with a 7-4)record!!!

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

General Jack - Austin, Texas — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:11:29 GMT

Kiffin has the Vols on the way back up. He has brought in a legendary defensive coordinator and assembled arguably the best recruiting staff in the nation... and on Monday quite possibly the #1 recruit in the nation (Bryce Brown) will sign with the Vols. We have gotten more media than any other program since his hire. He's brought back discipline and personal accountability to the team (note no off-season incidents thus far).

Its easy for non-Vol fans to criticize, but for those of us to whom the coaching change matters (Vol fans), what Kiffin has done is outstanding - Reinvigorated the fan based, pulled a top 15 (maybe top 10 class) after Monday, brought in an awesome staff and committing to win championships. Most Vols couldn't be happier at this point.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Greg Woodworth, Bedford, VA — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 21:03:44 GMT

Kiffen another want-a-bee, that is going no where fast. He even married a Gator. He might make a good high school coach, but I could be wrong.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Doug Truex, Chapmansboro, TN — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:07:30 GMT

I"ll take my chances on Kiffen 1000 times over, as opposed to one more second of inept, mediocracy, from Fulmer and staff. From everything I'm hearing from Spring practice, at least Kiffen and staff have unearthed the "Tennessee Fight" that has been dormant for the last 5 years. Go Vols !

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

JAMES FAWCETT, HOUSTON, TX — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:54:17 GMT

All that doesn't amount to a hill of beans if he wins. He could be a serial killer and if he wins, the Tennessee nation, as with any other major college football program, will love him.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

vizzon — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 05:33:56 GMT

kiffin!! ha!!!!didnt like as a raider fan -dont hav high hopes foe him @ tenn-ego-maniac--out

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

TOM LARD, SAVANNAH TN . — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:35:24 GMT

I DON'T THINK ANYONE HAS BEEN PERFECT IN THEIR FIRST SHOT AT SUCH AN IMPORTANT POSITION. HE IS DOING SOME THINGS AND HE WILL MAKE MISTAKES. KIDS WHO NEVER CONSIDERED THE VOLS ARE NOW INTERESTED IN THE VOLS. IT IS EASY TO LIVE IN A FAMILIAR CIRCUMSTANCE, BUT A LITTLE ANXIETY OCCURS WHEN YOU STEP INTO THE UNKNOWN. I AM ONE WHO IS WILLING TO GIVE HIM MY SUPPORT AND WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS. COVER THIS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS AND LET'T SEE WHERE WE GO. GO VOLS.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Tim Slone,Knoxville,Tennessee — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:10:56 GMT

Fear the Kiffen. Just signed Bryce Brown.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

CARY — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:24:20 GMT

Bryce Brown...Now what do you say about Kiffin?

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Jai, Nashville, TN — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:55:50 GMT

Kiffin won't rebound?! Although his mouth got him in a lot of trouble to start, it also landed him the #1 overall high school recruit in the nation, Running Back Bryce Brown. Kiffin does need to learn a lot from his fellow UT coaching colleagues Pat Summit and Bruce Pearl, but with arguably the best assistant coaching staff in the nation he will get it together in no time.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Shane Antrim, San Antonio, TX — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:50:38 GMT

Mr. Tamanaha,

How does the recruitment of Brown affect Coach Kiffins rebound from a rocky start? I think you have seriously joined the bandwagon with your latest article here, your just a month to late. In the aftermath of Coach Kiffins comments one would presume (exspecially the media) that the Volunteer program would take a hit. Since then, we have picked up 2 of the highest profile athletes in the nation.... Can you explain this, i mean, i can totally agree with you. Kiffin wont bounce back, yea right! FEAR tha KIFFIN!

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Tnvol — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:04:15 GMT

To all of the non-UT fans. Just to let you know how far this program has slipped with Fulmer; at the NFL combines, USC's kicker benched more reps of 225 than one of UT's lineman. Percy Harvin benched more reps than our lineman. A UT receiver has went from 2 reps of 225 to 14 since he left. People do not realize how weak and how far UT has fallen. Kiffin may not be the "best" head coach, but he is smart enough to build the best staff. We are on our way back. And by the way, last years team was an 8 win team with a different coach.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

William Shipp — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:53:56 GMT

JSbuttoni........man you are desperate to defend this hiring when you say, "no matter what happens, it won't be boring". (or something you wrote to that effect) Most teams in the SEC play to win....you seem content now that it won't be boring. Desperate, desperate, desperate.

Kiffin won't rebound from rocky start

Captain Obvious — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:24:43 GMT

It is obvious that Kiffen has created a great recruiting staff to get players at UT, but will the staff be able to coach them into winners? I think it will be tougher than UT Nation thinks.

As a USC fan, we did not appreciate the gas station comments. He may have been just upset that Jeffrey chose USC over Southern Cal and UT, but it was negative recruiting. Of course, there is no such thing as being a gentleman in recruiting anymore. It would have been intersting to hear what Kiffen had to say if Southern Cal was picked over USC.

Al Davis is crazy, but the more and more LK opens his mouth, the more credible Davis sounds with is "Pathological liar" statement. It doesn't make sense for Jeffrey's coach, and OL recruit Erik Mack to lie when they have no reason to lie.

Anyway, love him or hate him he has definately made the football offseason a little more interesting this year. Can't wait for the Season!!!