GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Congratulations are in order for Lane Kiffin. He's spent the past few months trying to get noticed.He'll be glad to know the plan worked with Florida .
"Obviously, I'll have Coach Meyer's back," Tim Tebow said Monday.
Coming Saturday, he'll have Coach Kiffin's head and be parading it around Florida Field. If Saint Tebow re-attaches it, the thought may occur to Kiffin that being a blowhard might not be the best way to succeed.
He's pretty much insulted everybody who's anybody in the SEC. The jabs directed at Florida have turned this week's game into a must-see rarity.
Non-aligned fans usually want the No. 1 team to lose. On Saturday almost everyone outside Knoxville would like to see Florida beat Tennessee 394-0.Nobody likes arrogance, especially when it comes from someone whose resume could fit on the inside of a matchbook.
It's not so much they want the Gators to win as they want Kiffin to be served a huge steaming slice of humble pie. Nobody likes arrogance, especially when it comes from someone whose resume could fit on the inside of a matchbook.
Kiffin has become the most talked-about coach in the country. But what has he ever really accomplished besides hacking people off?
"It's not that big of a deal," Tebow said. "It's someone talking."
It's a big enough deal that some of Kiffin's more inspirational words have been plastered on the walls around here since spring.
"I'm really looking forward to embracing the great traditions at the University of Tennessee. For instance, the Vol Wal, running through the T, singing Rocky Top all night long after we beat Florida next year. It will be a blast."
At the same time he accused Urban Meyer of cheating by contacting a recruit during a visit to Tennessee. Turns out it wasn't against the rules, but Kiffin was just getting warmed up.
He became Public Enemy No. 1 in the economically-poor but recruit-rich town of Pahokee, Fla. , saying "Nobody's got enough money to even have shoes or a shirt on." He picked fights with Steve Spurrier and Nick Saban.
Luckily for Kiffin, they know it's all been an act.
They do know that, right?
"I don't," Meyer said Monday.
To be accurate, the question was whether he likes it when coaches make themselves the center of attention.
"Why ever take the focus off the football players?" Meyer said.
Kiffin's response would be he had to. Tennessee was drifting into irrelevancy, there aren't enough home-grown prospects in the state and he had to do something to make the Volunteers consequential.
In this day and age, the quickest way is to make a spectacle of yourself. Hey, if it works for Paris Hilton and Kanye West, it'll work for Kanye Kiffin.
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Wisconsin head football coach Bret Bielema screams during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, in Madison, Wis. It took two overtimes for a flu-ravaged Wisconsin team to defeat Fresno State. As the Badgers look toward Wofford this week, Bielema gives an update on how his team is handling the flu outbreak that affected 40 players last week. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
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In this Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, photo, Northwestern's Stefan Demos celebrates after kicking the game-winning 49-yard field goal against Eastern Michigan in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill. Northwestern won 27-24. (AP Photo/David Banks)
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In this Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, photo Penn State linebacker Sean Lee, left, walks away after sacking Syracuse quarterback Greg Paulus, right, during the second half of their NCAA college football game in State College, Pa. Lee was so active against Syracuse, it seemed like the Penn State linebacker spent all day leveling opponents behind the line of scrimmage. Any lingering doubts about the health of his surgically-repaired right knee were erased in a dominating performance against the Orange. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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In this Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, photo, Penn State linebacker Sean Lee (45) stands with assistant coach Tom Bradley on the sideline during the second half of their college football game against Syracuse in State College, Pa. Lee was so active against Syracuse, it seemed like the Penn State linebacker spent all day leveling opponents behind the line of scrimmage. Any lingering doubts about the health of his surgically-repaired right knee were erased in a dominating performance against the Orange. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers rushes for a key fourth quarter gain on the wiining drive of the Beavers 23-21 win over UNLV in an NCAA college football game on Saturday Sept. 12, 2009 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Daniel Gluskoter)
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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Stafon Johnson #13 of the USC Trojans celebrates in the end zone with teammate Jarvis Jones #10 after scoring a two yard touchdown in the fourth quarter over the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 12, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. USC won the game 18-15. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Stafon Johnson; Jarvis Jones
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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 12: Running back Stafon Johnson #13 of the USC Trojans celebrates in the end zone after scoring a two yard touchdown in the fourth quarter over the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 12, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. USC won the game 18-15. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Stafon Johnson
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Purdue head coach Danny Hope, left, confers with referees on a call that kept the Boilermakers from tying the game with just seconds left during the second half of their NCAA college football game against Oregon in Eugene, Ore., Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. Oregon beat Purdue 38-36.(AP Photo/Don Ryan)
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Utah players celebrate a 24-14 win over San Jose State in an NCAA college football game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Utah running back Sausan Shakerin (22) breaks through for a long run late in the fourth quarter against San Jose State in an NCAA college football game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. Utah won 24-14. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
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Being a media jackal, I like a train wreck even more than the next guy. Give me Spurrier's cockiness over a cliché-spouting droid any day. But at least Spurrier earned the right to be a jackass.
I'm still not sure what Kiffin has ever done, other than coach Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart at USC. He parlayed that into becoming an NFL coach at age 32. The only hitch was he coached the Raiders.
People are granted diplomatic immunity from scrutiny when they coach for Al Davis. But Bill Callahan was a complete bust at Nebraska .
Maybe Crazy Al isn't the only problem in Oakland. Maybe the coaches weren't any good, which would help explain Kiffin's 5-15 record before last season's ultra-ugly divorce.
That didn't smudge Kiffin's star quality. He's young, handsome and has the blonde babe wife. His brashness unquestionably sells with 17-year-old recruits, not to mention old Tennessee fans who were dying for the Vols to matter.
It's funny how Phil Fulmer used to reel in top-10 recruiting classes without acting like the class brat. Now everybody's ga-ga over Kiffin's schtick. But any con man can incite masses and insult people.
I'm not saying Kiffin is a coaching fraud. I would like to have seen him win at least one college game before acting like he's the second coming of Pop Warner.
Respect doesn't come by irritating people, it comes by earning it. Or maybe I'm just thinking old-school and Kiffin's a New Age coach.
To them, the end justifies the means. So congratulations again on your successful act, Coach Kiffin. You wanted Tennessee to matter, and the Vols definitely matters to Florida .
But you won't be belting out Rocky Top come Saturday night. You might be asking if your song-and-dance is worth it.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-14-2009 @ 7:50PM
melvin said...
Nice article.
Good job !!
The "matchbook" reference was spot on.
Reply
9-14-2009 @ 8:33PM
Bone Rust said...
David, most Gators are following Urban's example.
I appreciate both the substance and tone.
I wish the sports writers were as forthcoming about Coach Tressel at OSU, but, we got rid of Zook and he's in the Big 10.
I wrote in another FanHouse board that Kiffin has a lot of growing up to do personally and professionally. His acrid remarks (VERY STRONG warnings came quickly from the SEC) were not reserved soley for Urban Meyer.
While, frankly, I don't think it's any of the public's business knowing his father-in-law is having trouble with alcohol. I'm sure personal pressures at home must be off the charts.
But, he has made it clear he wants press 'ink' for the Vols. How long he remains in Knoxville after breaking his first promise - beating the Gators - may be determined by the good people at TN who hired him.
Unfortunately for TN, they are stuck with the reckless, juvenile, unaccomplished 'coach' who, is more focused on his twisted sense of ego to the point even 'Daddy' is there on the staff.
Tenn. deserves so much better.
Even Al Davis - a.k.a win, baby win - would NEVER make such crazy statements and Al was extremely colorful in his declarations.
Back to othere teams with similar coaching problems, Michigan seems to be putting together a unified team and will be the big suprise in the Big 10. Weiss, while on the hot seat most of last year, will not survive ND because, well, ND and their private network is bigger than Weiss. At OSU, Tressel will be offered the door on his terms and he will accept.
I also have it on good authority Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden have, informally, agreed to retire after this season. I hope this is true because both are gentlemen and competitors who have, together, given more to college football than can ever be matched. To both of them I say on behalf of fans everywhere, "Thanks. It's time for you to enjoy some other things and you'll always be enshrined in the hearts of those you coached as well as those who enjoyed your skills from the stands."
FSU and PSU have heir apparents picked, annoited, and knighted.
Every Offensive Coordinator in the Big 12 - the exception being Nebraska because they'll make a statement this year and next season we'll see Huskers take OK, OK St., Tech., and Texas off the BCS map - and the WAC have their fill-in-the-blank resumes ready for Ohio State, Notre Dame, Ark., Mizz, and possibly Ole Miss and Miss State.
By the way, Urban received a well deserved contract which makes him the highest paid SEC coach and Saban's contract has a rider that he has to be paid more than any SEC coach. Did he get it?
Days Of Our Lives ends its run on Friday and perhaps the Sordid Slime Of The SEC would make a great replacement.
Tenn. would have been better served, if press ink was their problem, to hire Jerry Springer.
A 'call? Gators by 23 with Tebow taking a 10 minute break.
Great piece, by the way!
-Gator82-
Reply
9-14-2009 @ 9:02PM
Bone Rust said...
WOW!
Fed Ex just delivered an envelope; two tickets in the Swamp on Saturday courtesy of my friends from Duke and Texas (we did the same for another for March Madness last spring).
I had planned to go down for homecoming and G-Growl in Oct........I'm leaving my two teenagers to fend for themselves (probably a bad idea) and I'll be at Lillian's by happy hour on Friday.
Ear plugs; I have to remember the ear plugs.
Ok, they are nose bleed tickets but the Swamp isn't like the Shoe or the Big House......you can smell a fart or doobie FOREVER in the humidity and from across the field.
Wow!
-Gator82-
Reply
9-15-2009 @ 9:24AM
pasdadosia said...
kiffin may be asking to keep his job come saturday night. with the exception of the sooners, florida has hung a crooked number on everyone who has struck a nerve with the players. remember fsu and lsu player's comments, remember the scores? i know how bad we beat georgia last year is still fresh on my mind after their comedic routine the season before. I cannot wait to hear all the bs after this game, cause you know the starters will play every rep and tebow will still be airing it out down field late into the 4th quarter even with the score being 63-10. however, i will give the A in class to the tennessee fans cause i know they will not cry about urban running up the score like miami in a game that was only 26-3. tennesse is gonna receiving the thumping they deserve, but hopefully next year kiffin will keep his job and keep his trap shut so this can become a sound rivalry again. i miss when tennessee was actually a competitive game. as a gator fan, i hate tennessee, as an sec fan, i hate how much tennessee has fallen off.
Reply
9-16-2009 @ 8:50AM
GrumpyOldMan said...
No matter what happens on the football field...with a wife like that Kiffin wins.
Reply
9-15-2009 @ 3:07PM
ricdarulah7 said...
i am surprised of his antics especially with his father being a part of his staff, and dad being the humble man that he is, it is really a big surprise.
Reply
9-15-2009 @ 8:45PM
Terry said...
Daddy needs to take sonny behind the woodshed. Time to educate him Monte.
Reply
9-16-2009 @ 5:08AM
Ron said...
Not gonna waste my breath on this blowhard Kiffin, better say your prayers son its going to be a long hard season for you!
Reply
9-16-2009 @ 11:20AM
jnrobson said...
SEC RULEBOOK
1. Do not make Urban Meyer mad.
2. Never break rule number 1.
See Mark Richt for further explanation.
Reply
9-17-2009 @ 9:49AM
Dr. Read said...
I remember a certain coach named Steve Spurrier, who reminds me of Kiffen. The press embraced Spurrier differently.
Reply
9-18-2009 @ 10:58PM
fredyacht1 said...
Steve earned his right to brag
9-18-2009 @ 11:02PM
fredyacht1 said...
I hope the Gators live up to hype. I have beeen a Gator since dirt, and have felt the heartache....We are the boys from old Florida....
Reply
9-27-2009 @ 12:05AM
TODD AVANT said...
If you're "trying to get noticed" why don't you do it by winning football games? After all isn't that what you're hired to do? Do your talking on the field an make it about the game and the great kids (an university) you have-and are playing for. (Less about you and more about them) I'm a born, raised and schooled Gators fan and I fail to see how a great institution like Tennessee can lower itself to such demagoguery. Sad day for such an institution with such history and class.
Reply