DISQUS

Bama_Babe · 1 year ago

If this turns true, it will be easier to look on the sidelines during at UT game, as he's a heckuva lot better looking than Fulmer!


...Wait. Just about any hire would make the above statement true...

I still hate Tennessee, but with Fulmer gone, it won't be as strong. And I actually like Kiffin.....for now.
;)

USC1801 · 1 year ago

Don't swoon on us. . .

Kiffin would be a good hire for UT (um, but not for the reasons listed above). As to Tommy Bowden, I'll let ClemsonJoe speak to that one. Actually, it might be like having another Weis, and in the SEC. Fun!

Clemson_Joe · 1 year ago

LOL. Any school can have him if they want. I guess hovering around the 20-30th rank is a good thing for some schools.

Ramblin' Gator · 1 year ago

Ah yes. The gruesome quartet of Friedgen, Mangino, Weiss, and Fulmer has lost its tenor. Which coach will replace Phat Phil in this jumbo-sized lineup?

War_Eagle_Atlanta · 1 year ago

You get the ANALOGY star of the day, RG!

LMAO!

Fanblogs Jeopardy answer: Friedgen, Mangino, Weiss, and Fulmer .

WEA: Uh. Who don't you want to see ahead of you in the buffet line at Ryan's...

Alex: Correct!!

Ramblin' Gator · 1 year ago

Thanks, Alex. I'll take "Coaches with 'front-butts'" for $400.

VolnDothan · 1 year ago

Little know fact: God hates Alabama fans.

War_Eagle_Atlanta · 1 year ago

What he hates even worse: Vol fans in the Wiregrass. A peanut plague is upon you...

:-)

Bama_Babe · 1 year ago

Dothan? As in Dothan, Alabama?

God bless you.

Hopefully Bama fans there aren't giving you too hard of a time ... ;)

Tyler_Tech · 1 year ago

Haha when I was a little kid my dad brought me back a T-shirt from Dothan when he was on Business that said "Dothan, Alabama: The peanut Capital of the World" Sorry to say Bama fans I only wore it as a night shirt. :)

Bama_Babe · 1 year ago

I lived in Texas for a few months when I was younger and I still wear my "Don't Mess with Texas" shirt every now and then..

By the way, I hear the annual Peanut Festival in Dothan is quite the event.. ;)

dawgfan · 1 year ago

Bowden...Bowden...Bow---den??? Did I seriously read that. That guy couldn't even win the ACC at one of the easiest schools to recruit in the ACC. Now he is the best choice for a school that has to pluck the majority of it's playmakers from other states in the same division as Meyer and Richt...not to mention he will play Saban every year. Bowden...Seriously???

FSU_Ben · 1 year ago

Yeah I would like to hear your reasoning as I must of missed it if you post it previously Kevin. Please explain for us fanblogs simpletons why you think Bowden is a good choice to replace Fulmer. I think keeping Fulmer would have been a good bet for Tennessee personally. I guess they are tired of losing to Meyer.

Kevin @ Fanblogs · 1 year ago

If you look at where Clemson was when Bowden came on, it's a very similar position to where the Vols find themselves today. Bowden is an outstanding recruiter and knows how to recruit - which is job #1 at Tennessee, because the in-state talent is simply not that deep. [Insert Deliverance joke here]

Bowden has won everywhere he's been. He didn't win an ACC championship at CU, but he certainly should have. Tommy knows he abandoned his system, which was oh so successful at Tulane and Clemson, in order to go with a new offensive scheme. That was a mistake.

Bowden's strong recruiting and spread offense would be a formidable in the SEC, taking UT from one of the bottom five back to one of the top four.

FSU_Ben · 1 year ago

I have often heard Rich Rodriguez was the reason Tommy Bowden was so successful and without him Tommy was a flop. Not sure I agree but it would take a good coach to coach a perfect season at Tulane, talk about talent not being that deep. He should have rocked at Clemson. So should FSU and Miami. In down years where Clemson is 1-1 vs Miami and 3-1 vs Florida State (since expansion) they should be doing quite well. I realize Wake has become competetive and BC was the best they have probably ever been but still... 0-3 against VT and the only games they have looked good in are against teams like Wofford.

Juju · 1 year ago

There are seven players from TN on the Bama roster. One starting freshman linebacker having a good year. I know for a fact that he was never seriously recruited by TN. I respect Phil Fulmer for the job he's done in the past, but TN's talent pool isn't completely dry, just not properly handled. He missed Chad Pennington too didn't he?

chris · 1 year ago

Yes we are, and you guys will too soon. Ole Bobby can't beat him either. Only Ole Miss will this year. Florida will be the National Champs. That is why Kiffin is our man and we will be on top of the college football word in two to three years, after that it will be a regular sea of orange at the BCS (BS) title games for years to come. Like to hear whats best for Tennessee from ACC fans where championships are never won and a conference that isn't any better than Conf. USA or the big east. Laughable, but Tennessee will get the last laugh, and the loudest. Go Vols and welcome to K town Lane!!!

FSU_Ben · 1 year ago

Sangarin Ranks us higher than the SEC. It's no wonder since only your best beat ACC teams #3 and #6 and #8ish. If we are on par with C-USA you must be significantly lower than that!

Quote from ESPN: The league has 10 bowl-eligible teams. No conference has ever placed 10 teams in bowl games [Like the ACC will this year]. It's only the third time in college football history that a conference has had that many teams bowl eligible.


#2 Florida wins Vs. #8Miami and #3 FSU
#6 Clemson beats #6 S. Carolina and loses to #1 Alabama
#9 Wake beats #3 Ole Miss & #7 Vandy
Acc #12 Duke Beats #7 Vandy
#1 GT beats #4 Georgia
#6 S. Carolina beat #7 NC State (in a rematch I would think this would be much different)

ACC 5 to SEC 4

Also the power numbers show only better SEC teams beat ACC teams, as it should have been, while low ranked ACC teams beat equivelant or better teams except GT Georgia Where GT earned that ranking mostly because of Georgia (and a little crushing Miami).

The C-USA has 6 teams going to bowls (6 teams available and 6 tie ins). The ACC used up all 9 tie-ins and had to take a spare one from a lesser conference. League parity may look boring on paper to you but I hope the ACC remains this strong (although I would like a more dominant team, I am sure FSU and Miami -unfortunatly- will only improve on this year). Sadly we stank vs the Pac-10 (USC vs. UVA) but I don't think an ACC team would have lost to UCLA not even Duke. UCLA beat only the Washington twins (this years ugly stepsisters of football), stanford, and oh yeah Tenessee.

USC1801 · 1 year ago

Regarding Bowden, could it be that Kevin has his tongue firmly planted in his cheek?

Kevin @ Fanblogs · 1 year ago

My sarcasm is usually prefaced or followed by an elipses or similar indication (eg ahem). I meant this one and still do.

That said, I think Tommy might be ready to be retired now.

Ben Prather · 1 year ago

I know SDSU would be excited to hire Bowden. If he really wants to coach their will be opportunities.

A school that has a recruiting edge on its conference foes and more current NFL players than anyone in thier confernece and was not able to put together a winning season when Marshall Faulk was the starting runningback for the team sounds like a great opportunity to redeem oneself.

Plus it's in San Deigo. Year round nice.

FSU_Ben · 1 year ago

Yeah I would bet this would make a good fit for him. Why San Diego doesn't dominate the MWC is beyond me.

lalope89 · 1 year ago

this is interesting. tennessee recruits california well and can see the logic in this.

Kevin @ Fanblogs · 1 year ago

UPDATE 11/26/2008 8:00 AM
According to ESPN's Chris Lowe, Kiffen is not a done deal and that the UT team was on the road yesterday for coaching interviews. (No insight as to whom they were interviewing, though.)

Lowe knows for a fact that Kiffen has discussed the Vols job with potential assistants, including former Ole Miss coach Ed Oregeron, who coached with Kiffen at USC.

Orgeron was a recruiting whiz at Ole Miss, and he worked with Kiffin on the Southern California staff earlier this decade. I could see Orgeron coming as either a defensive coordinator, associate head coach and/or recruiting coordinator. I think the Vols will have their coach named by the middle of December. The other names to keep an eye on are Cincinnati's Brian Kelly, Texas Tech's Mike Leach and Air Force's Troy Calhoun. I think the Vols have also talked with Minnesota's Tim Brewster.

So... it isn't a done deal, but it is certainly a potential deal. Interesting.

UTurboFan · 1 year ago

BamaBabe, it's called winning ugly...well, it used to be winning, now it's just ugly. And yeah, Bama is still public enemy #1. But we liked you better with Shula.

Kevin, Deliverance was set in the Ozarks.

TRIPPA06 · 1 year ago

Tommy Bowden would be a terrible hire at Tennessee. He would be a good hire @ A&M. He has proven to be great at building a program and that is not what Tennechee needs

stouds · 1 year ago

Wait....Bowden, who in ten years could not win a championship, could not beat more than a handfull of top 25 teams, and won 1 out of every 4 bowl games....will go to UT and beat UF, UGA, and Bama, not to mention the rest of their schedule? I am not seeing the logic. He is a great recruiter, and the worst game time coach. His Clemson talent was better than everyone outside of FSU/Miami, but he could always be counted on to lose to VT and BC, and one of either Duke, Maryland, GT, or UVA each year.

stouds · 1 year ago

Wait....Bowden, who in ten years could not win a championship, could not beat more than a handfull of top 25 teams, and won 1 out of every 4 bowl games....will go to UT and beat UF, UGA, and Bama, not to mention the rest of their schedule? I am not seeing the logic. He is a great recruiter, and the worst game time coach. His Clemson talent was better than everyone outside of FSU/Miami, but he could always be counted on to lose to VT and BC, and one of either Duke, Maryland, GT, or UVA each year.

stouds · 1 year ago

Wait....Bowden, who in ten years could not win a championship, could not beat more than a handfull of top 25 teams, and won 1 out of every 4 bowl games....will go to UT and beat UF, UGA, and Bama, not to mention the rest of their schedule? I am not seeing the logic. He is a great recruiter, and the worst game time coach. His Clemson talent was better than everyone outside of FSU/Miami, but he could always be counted on to lose to VT and BC, and one of either Duke, Maryland, GT, or UVA each year.

FSU_Ben · 1 year ago

VT has argueably comparable talent. Agreed on the rest though.

4cornerz · 1 year ago

What about Brian Kelly

TampaGator · 1 year ago

Being a Gator, and not exactly wanting to see Tennessee thrive....

...I like Lane Kiffin as Vols HC-I hope they make this happen!

Tommy Bowden--better still!


GO GATORS!!

chris · 1 year ago

If your a gator, and I feel sorry for you, you would not want to see Kiffin in Knoxville. He will be the reason that Meyer, Saban, and Richt will not be coaching, where they are currently, in five years. Yes, he will own the SEC and the gator run will end. Don't forget that the gators have only been on the map for twelve years, before Spurrier Florida sucked ass. And you gators know it too. So if I were a fan of another school in the SEC, I would be very worried, cause the only thing that will be rocky on rocky top is the diamonds on our NC rings that we will be winning over and over. Good luck to the rest of you half wit fans in other places. GO VOLS!!!!

Ramblin' Gator · 1 year ago

So if I were a fan of another school in the SEC, I would be very worried

Yep, we're VERY worried that UT might get Kiffin and he might be successful and it might chase our coaches away from the SEC. We're also VERY worried that aliens will invade the planet and that all of our popcorn will be rancid and that roving bands of free-range chickens will dominate humans for the next century.

Of course, we're just "half wit fans", what would we know.

Willie · 1 year ago

Here in Knoxville, Kiffen's name has generated a lot of excitement. The fan choice by far was/is Gruden however, he's not going to leave Tampa Bay for college. The concern on Kiffen is his lack of "experience" as a head coach but personally I would take him over Brian Kelly. Yes, Kelly has proven himself as a head coach but not in the SEC. Let's face it the SEC is only a minor step down from the pro's and with Meyer's, Saban, Richt, and Miles the coaching profile and knowledge is only going up.

I would like Kiffen! I would like Gruden better but I guess we can't get everything we want.

FYI>>>Noone I know wants Bowden at TN.

PittsburghTiger · 1 year ago

I wonder what happened to Brian Kelly?

vol_man · 1 year ago

I don't care as long he get the job done. Still hate bama, and the bear was gay!

Ed · 1 year ago

It's Kiffen -- with an "e" -- geez!

Mark · 1 year ago

Lane Kiffen will be a great grab for any program. College football is decided by one thing, recruiting and Kiffen is a great recruiter.

Fulamanuer · 1 year ago

It's interesting that the gator fans fail to remember that last year, if I remember correctly, UT won the East division Championship. And Bama fans only hate Fulmer because he finally had the guts to tell the NCAA about the best team money can buy. I guess that's what the bama fans meant when they hoped Saban would bring back the Bear years. More money flying around high schools in Memphis! Enjoy the ride, nobody can keep a GOOD coach more than 6-7 years if they're lucky!

Tommy_Trojan · 1 year ago

Me thinks the hire of Kiffen will return Tennessee to what they do best. Tennessee for many years was a very innovative passing team. They ran the ball well also. But, with all of the great QB's and WR's that have come out of Tennessee over the years - I would say that Tennessee had always been one of the most feared passing teams in the NCAA.

Back in the day, Tennessee was known to have placed most of the fastest and most gifted wide receivers into the NFL, and they would star. There has also been a boatload of really good Tennessee QB's that include Peyton Manning. I don't know exactly what has happened at Tennessee - but this program has lost it's identity. Lane Kiffen can bring the "West Coast Offense" that can definately open things up in the SEC. I think that Ed Orgeron would be the best possible defensive hire also. The guy is simply a monster recruiter and developer of superior defensive linemen. While Kiffen is "the boy genius", Orgeron is in direct contrast, as the tough hard-nosed in-your-face drill sargent that any stout defense needs to have.

This is an outstanding situation for Tennessee. No, they cannot do better than this. Orgeron has recruited those players at Mississippi that Nutt has playing so well. Both Kiffen and Orgeron are tremendous recruiters on the National stage. Both of these coaches have coached on the "Big Stage" for several years. I don't think that it will be a problem because it's "the SEC". It's a matter of recruiting gifted players. None of these great coaches that everyone is talking about (Meyer, Miles, Richt, etc.), had much trouble at all, stepping into the SEC and winning games - as long as they had some talent. Kiffen and Orgeron will figure out how to win games in the SEC soon enough. The biggest problem will be recruiting players.

Zac · 1 year ago

The sad truth to college football is for one team to win another must lose. Successful coaches are only successful due to the lack of success of other fellow coaches. Some coaches win with blue-chip players. Some coaches win blue collar players. Some coaches are successful everywhere they go. Some coaches just can't seem to find their niche. Some win multiple championships. Some win lots of games, but can't seem to win championships. For every coach that wins, there's a coach that loses.

I'm not sure what's worse, the coach which loves the sport, but the sport doesn't love him, or the coach which loves the sport, has done well within it, but still can't get any respect, despite respectable accomplishments. It's a tough profession, the likes of which I don't envy anyone who enters it, but I do envy the truly successful.

Personally, I think we are all diminished by the exits of coaches the likes of Phil Fulmer, Lloyd Carr, Tommy Bowden, to name a few. It seems, given all they've given to the game, they're deserving of a little more than just "the boot". Just my opinion.

Best of luck to Kiffin's & his coaching staff, given the legacy of TN's program. (Big shoes to fill there.) Best of luck to Fulmer's coaching staff, given they'll be looking for work soon. Happy Thanksgiving.

U.of S.C.1978 · 1 year ago

ESPN reporting that Kiffin is in at Tenn.

War_Eagle_Atlanta · 1 year ago

Yep, looking like a done deal. announcement to come on Monday...

U.of S.C.1978 · 1 year ago

So, what do we call next year for the Vols? A rebuilding year? A resurgence? Another down year? A miracle? If I had a crystal ball, I'd be getting my crystal ball sharpener out right about now.

Tommy_Trojan · 1 year ago

UofSC1978:

I think the thing to do will be to check out the scouting services over the previous four years - in order to try and get an indication of what Fulmer may have left on the table. If there is talent available, and a simplified or scaled down offensive and defensive scheme can be implemented rather quickly, then maybe Tennessee could rebound somewhat next year. I think it unlikely that they could challenge Florida and Georgia, but they may be able to bring that record up to around 7-5 or maybe 8-4, and possibly find themselves back into some kinda bowl game. That it probably most realistic at this point. Saban was able to do that at Alabama in his 1st year (not that Kiffen is any Saban). Tennessee may have more talent on hand then Alabama did though. I do know that they have recruited well in most years.

U.of S.C.1978 · 1 year ago

My guess is they fall somewhere between 3-9 to 7-5 next year. It could be just wishful thinking though.

Kevin @ Fanblogs · 1 year ago

According to an SI report, Tennessee has reached a deal with Lane Kiffin and he will be introduced at a press conference early next week. No confirmation/announcement will be held prior to the conclusion of the season out of deference to Coach Fulmer.

Tennessee and Lane Kiffin have reached a tentative agreement with the former Oakland Raiders coach to lead the Volunteers, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.

A formal announcement was expected early next week, said the person, who requested anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.

So... there you have it, Vols Nation.

NCSU-Ev · 1 year ago

I'm kinda thinking this may turn out like the Bill Callahan experiment at Nebraska...too many similarities.

Go Wolfpack!

War_Eagle_Atlanta · 1 year ago

I'm glad the Derby is over. I'm tired of hearing that name. 'Kiffin' is a very feminine sounding name--no slight to Lanie intended. It sounds like slang for female flatulance. "My girlfriend kiffed in the bed after Mexican night."

But if it belonged to me, I'd change it to 'Kickin'. Lane Kickin. Now that sounds like a coach's name. It's also what you do when you throw a gutter ball. Some lane-kicking...

Somebody stop me!!

GEORGIA BULLDOG FAN · 1 year ago

Phillip Fulmer wae very dedicated to his school and team. Look at his overwhelming record. Not many schools can come close to that within their coaching staff. We all have bad days, the offense of UT had a bad year and that compounded the problem. He is a great coach, already with 2 calls, could it be ND? He gave UT 35 good years.

redpc · 1 year ago

beware vols fans take it from Oakland this kid is waaaaay overrated. He will back stab your program for his own benefit without blinking an eye! You guys were 5-7 this year.....next year you will be 2-10