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Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Tommy_Trojan — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:48:09 -0000

I don't remember much of what I said about Kiffen at Tennessee. I do know that Tennessee was a much tougher team under Kiffen - than the record would indicate. Had he stayed there - the Vols would have returned to elite status.

The reason I hadn't been blogging was because of my disgust with Pete Carroll last year. One of my last blogs was a rant directed at why were we playing a freshman QB ahead of Mustain and Corp? It was a real mistake. And, we decided that we would also forget how to play any defense.

Now, it has become clear that Pete was leaving all along. Kiffen may have been being groomed for the last few years. Taking on Al Davis and the Tennessee jobs were alot to chew off for Kiffen. Expedited training I'd call it. Probably all orchestrated by Carroll in order to get Kiffen ready.

This falls into line with Carroll losing some games, in order to lessen the expectations a little, on Kiffen and his staff.

Kiffen is a great recruiter and has the nasty temperment required, that will be needed in the future, to deal with an increasingly difficult Pac-10 schedule. I look for Southern Cal to return to the top. I'm not just being an optimist. I think Kiffen has what it takes and has been hand picked by Carroll. If Carroll wanted him or made the recommendation - then he does have what it takes. I think that he does. I think that it is sad that they wasted a year of Tennessee's time though.

Tommy Trojan

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Guest — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:00:24 -0000

TT~

Haven't seen you on the site lately and hopefully this reply is still linked to your e-mail so you receive it.

Looks like you were right on with Kiffen's first year at UT (see above post from last year). Tennessee ended their season 7-6 which included a bowl game loss.

I'm curious to see what your thoughts are of his hire at USC?? Judging from above, you are a big fan and welcome he and his staff with open arms...

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

JERRYSR — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:08:36 -0000

It looks like at least one person here knew what they were talking about wanna guess which one? (Hint) Look for keyword back stab

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

FSU_Ben — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:10:56 -0000

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.

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

redpc — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:54:54 -0000

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

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Bama_Babe — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:40:47 -0000

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.. ;)

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

GEORGIA BULLDOG FAN — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:58:15 -0000

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.

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Juju — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:07:52 -0000

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?

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

War_Eagle_Atlanta — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:20:20 -0000

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!!

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

NCSU-Ev — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 08:57:26 -0000

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

Go Wolfpack!

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Kevin @ Fanblogs — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 03:43:56 -0000

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.

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

U.of S.C.1978 — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:57:02 -0000

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

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Tommy_Trojan — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:11:23 -0000

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.

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

U.of S.C.1978 — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:02:25 -0000

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.

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

War_Eagle_Atlanta — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:33:06 -0000

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

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Tyler_Tech — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:24:57 -0000

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. :)

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

U.of S.C.1978 — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:38:18 -0000

ESPN reporting that Kiffin is in at Tenn.

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Zac — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:14:44 -0000

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.

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Tommy_Trojan — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:22:08 -0000

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.

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Ramblin' Gator — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:50:36 -0000

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.

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Fulamanuer — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:54:50 -0000

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!

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Mark — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:11:07 -0000

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

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Bama_Babe — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:05:16 -0000

Dothan? As in Dothan, Alabama?

God bless you.

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

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

Ramblin' Gator — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:54:33 -0000

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

Re: Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

War_Eagle_Atlanta — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:27:06 -0000

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

:-)