Urban Meyer: Lane Kiffin Accusation Was No Laughing Matter

The most entertaining story of this college football off-season has been the way Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin keeps sticking his foot in his mouth, including an allegation that Florida coach Urban Meyer cheated by illegally contacting a recruit. At least, it's been entertaining to those of us on the outside.

Meyer, who was vindicated when Kiffin admitted he was wrong, doesn't find anything funny about it. Commenting about the kerfuffle for the first time today, Meyer was gruff when the Orlando Sentinel asked him whether he thought it was funny:

Sentinel: Not sure if you've publicly commented about the Lane Kiffin controversy – does that maybe seem a little silly or humorous now in hindsight:
Meyer: "I didn't find it humorous."

Sentinel: Not then, I'm sure, but perhaps now?
Meyer: "It's not humorous. I can think of a few other words that I'm not going to say, but certainly not humorous."

Sentinel: Have you talked to Kiffin, or has he reached out and apologized:
(Meyer shakes head no).

Sentinel: For the fans, though, that certainly adds a little spice to the rivalry
Meyer: "I'm not going to comment on it any more than I just did. I guess you could say that."

There's a part of me that thinks Meyer should just lighten up, but you really can't blame him for failing to see any humor in a false allegation of cheating. And for Kiffin simply to issue a statement of apology -- rather than apologize to Meyer personally -- doesn't reflect very well on him. After all of Kiffin's talk, Meyer comes out looking better and Kiffin comes out looking worse.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-05-2009 @ 6:45PM

Hubert said...

Let Kiffen win a few games before he runs off at the mouth.
We don't need a nut in the SEC

3-05-2009 @ 6:47PM

Shannon Fain said...

Kiffin is a genius... "sticking his foot in his mouth" hahaha, you are totally missing the entire point.

3-05-2009 @ 8:24PM

UF alum said...

Am I the first person to coin the phrase "Lame Kiffin" If so so be it as the honor should belong to a Gator after Kiffin attacked our coach. The definition below suits his attacks on Urban Meyer.

lame - 13 dictionary results
1. crippled or physically disabled, esp. in the foot or leg so as to limp or walk with difficulty.
2. impaired or disabled through defect or injury: a lame arm.
3. weak; inadequate; unsatisfactory; clumsy: a lame excuse.
4. Slang. out of touch with modern fads or trends; unsophisticated.

3-05-2009 @ 8:48PM

d88cain said...

Just another example of the fact that Meyer has absolutely no sense of humor.

3-06-2009 @ 4:42AM

Mr.G said...

What was Tennessee thinking when they hired this bozo?He is not qualified to be a head coach at a major school and the Vols will suck til he's gone.

3-06-2009 @ 12:41PM

Clay said...

For those UT fans that think Kiffin somehow knew what he was doing by making false accusations, quit kidding yourself. UT is in for a loooong season. Kiffin is in way over his head and did not do himself or his team any favors by pissing in the cheerios of teams with far superior talent and coaching.

3-06-2009 @ 1:18PM

bobby said...

Daddy Kiffin needs to take Little Laney out to the woodshed. Vol fans should pray that Daddy Kiffin will be coaching Tennessee, or else they are in for another horrible season. Did Tennessee also turn in Alabama regarding the textbooks to athletes violation? Regardless, Go SEC! Go Gators!!

3-08-2009 @ 1:38AM

pepe1974 said...

Coach Meyer has no sense of humor but two national championships hmmmm. Choke on that HATERS!!!

3-08-2009 @ 12:36PM

DALOSOPHY said...

As the father of a former collegiate football player I know that there is an underground economy taking place and there is no way to prove guilt when there are violations, just as there is no way to prove innocence when false accusations are made. Sometimes the actions of a coach making a public accusation can be more of a shot over the bow of one program more so than gamesmanship. It is the presumption that cheating is taking place and commenting publicly as a way of creating scrutiny where there seems to be none. It is the risk that Kiffen was willing to take and he was probably operating on anecdotes that filtered down from former players of Meyer while Kiffin coached in the NFL. Still, there is no player that will come forward and Kiffin was out of line to make such an assertion without proof. He was willing to take that chance in the hope of leveling the playing field. The source of those anecdotes could have been false, but on Kiffin's part the rationale may have been that the cautious seldom err.