After having one of their worst years in Volunteer football history, the University of Tennessee has named Lane Kiffin as their new head coach.
According to ESPN.com, multiple sources have released that Kiffin will replace the recently fired Phillip Fulmer at the helm of Volunteer nation. An official announcement is expected to be made on Monday.
The Volunteers are 4-7 entering tomorrows game vs. SEC rival, the University of Kentucky. They had one of their worst seasons in school history and are looking for Kiffin to turn things around starting with the 2009 season.
Kiffin was the youngest coach in the modern era of the NFL when he took over the Oakland Raiders in 2007. After one year at the helm of the Raiders after posting a 4-12 record, his contract was bought out by owner Al Davis and Kiffin was forced to resign.
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about 1 month ago
The Vols still haven't named Kiffin their head coach, but they plan to do so this Monday.
from about 1 month ago
Yes Dusty, thats why I said According to ESPN.com, multiple sources have released that Kiffin will replace the recently fired Phillip Fulmer at the helm of Volunteer nation. An official announcement is expected to be made on Monday.
about 1 month ago
MISTAKE MISTAKE MISTAKE!
First let me say that Al Davis has lost his mind and has no business owning a NFL team. The way he handled everything to do with Kiffin was completely absurd, classless and just plain rude.
That said... Kiffin is NOT the man to resurrect UT football. Not by a long shot. I'm afraid they will find out the hard way... much like we did with Shula that the SEC is not where you train assistants and unproven hread coaches. Before you throw Richt out at me... Kiffin graduated college in 1998. To put that in perspective, Saban agreed to take over the LSU program one year later in December 1999. He's too wet behind the ears.
According to wikipedia - "Kiffin's work with the Trojans over his two-year period as offensive coordinator is sometimes harshly judged for what it did not accomplish – win national championships – as compared to the previous two seasons in 2003 and 2004."
Then came the Raiders debacle. I don't see it.
about 1 month ago
Wazup Ken, this is write off his bio on wikipedia: In 2005, USC head coach Pete Carroll selected Kiffin to replace Norm Chow as offensive coordinator. Despite being new to the role, Lane Kiffin helped guide USC to a 23-3 win-loss record during his tenure in this capacity (an 88% win percentage). During the previous four years under Norm Chow’s play calling, the Trojans achieved 41 wins and 9 losses (82%). Under Kiffin in 2005 the USC offense produced school records in virtually every dimension, averaging 49.1 points and 579 yards per game. USC’s potent offense that season became the first in NCAA history to have a 3,000 yard passer (Matt Leinart), two 1,000 yard rushers (Reggie Bush & LenDale White), and a 1,000 yard receiver (Dwayne Jarrett).
Thanks, Matt
from about 1 month ago
He may be the guy. Let's just say I'm skeptical.
about 1 month ago
As a Vols fan I'm actually very excited about this. His team in 2005 at USC never put up less than 34 points and had several games with 50+, and the 2006 offense was a respectable one after losing 4 big pieces to the puzzle on offense. So that was to be expected. I also believe he would have done better in Oakland (even with VERY limited talent and absolutely no QB) but Al Davis would not let him run that team how he wanted.
Al Davis is an egomaniac who has the "my way or the highway" attitude that doesn't really work in today's NFL. He's a young guy who can related to players, a cliche but I'm using it. The program is getting a definite and needed breath of fresh air. Let's hope things turn around for the Vols.
from about 1 month ago
Thanks for the input C.J. I agree that this was a good move and that he should help turn the Vols around.
about 1 month ago
I think its a good hire and I think it was a smart move to get it done ASAP.
Welcome to the SEC Coach Kiffin! Might I suggest you wear a cup, safety goggles and fire-retardant clothing at all times.
about 1 month ago
this is too funny...And i thought I wasn't going to have any material with Tommy Bowden not coaching next year. When I saw this on espn like a week ago i thought it was a joke and a smoke screen to get kelly in there under the radar...his teams look so unprepared, i give him 3 years tops.
about 1 month ago
if tennessee loses tomorrow it will actually be the worst season in tennessee history. it is going to be interesting to see who kiffin brings with him. if his father, monte kiffin, of the tampa bay bucs and coach orgeron from the saints come with him then this could get interesting.
from about 1 month ago
thanks for the input steve and I agree that would make it interesting.
about 1 month ago
Hey I agree Ken. I am skeptical about this hire too. He was NOT my number one pick. I really thought Brian Kelly was the guy, but anyways it's a change and it's something to be excited about. As UT fans all we have got to do is just support this guy, unlike he was treated at the Raiders, and give him a valid shot to bring some life into this program. A ton of people are going to be critical no matter who we brought in, but it seems like this was the most inexpensive and quickest route for us to go. He can set up camp and bring in his boys(bring Monte please) and start recruiting next week (which I think is where he is going to do really well). All we can do is hope for the best and be prepared for the worst. I just wish Mike Hamilton had someone in mind before he fired Phil, it seems like the Athletic Dept was in panic mode and brought in the first guy that showed interest.
from about 1 month ago
"I just wish Mike Hamilton had someone in mind before he fired Phil, it seems like the Athletic Dept was in panic mode and brought in the first guy that showed interest."
Welcome to my Bama world! We have been down that road too and I'll never understand it. Why not look around, see who is interested first? If you can't land the right guy, wait another year. Kiffin to me looks like a jump from the fire into the frying pan. He reminds me too much of Mike Shula. An very young assistant who has never had HC experience thrown into the fire known as the SEC (if you count the Raiders then his record there is a strike against him. Personally I don't think you count it. Al Davis is a moron.). It rarely works out.
But I hear Coach O may come aboard as well. That's two guys known for their recruiting ability. That's good. But O couldn't turn those prize recruits into winners at Ole Miss (Nutt sure did). Can Kiffin at UT? I dunno. Time will tell.
It's just a school such as UT deserved better IMHO. But... that's Bama fan's opinion on the outside looking in. Good luck.
about 1 month ago
This article is completely false! Charlie, this is poorly written. It has many grammatical errors and your organization is terrible!
from about 1 month ago
hahaha man its ok that your jealous, but this article was on the front page of bleacher report on Saturday. I think its very weird and sketchy that you made a Chuck McGraw bleacher report profile just because you want to be like me.
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