Kiffin knocks Gators, so what’s the big deal?
Leave that man alone.
Well, this time.
The way things are going for Lane Kiffin, the self-inflicted tackling dummy during his first weeks as head football coach at the University of Tennessee, there will be a next time. There also will be a few more times after that.
As for this time, Kiffin was absolutely right to tell our Michael Carvell that he is done apologizing to Florida and everybody else over his erroneous comments about Gators coach Urban Meyer and his recruiting practices.
Remember? During a recruiting breakfast last month, Kiffin boasted to Tennessee supporters (note: Tennessee supporters) that Meyer tried to “cheat” and still didn’t get wide receiver prospect Nu’Keese Richardson. That’s because Richardson stiff-armed Florida down the stretch before sprinting to Tennessee.
It turns out that, contrary to what Kiffin told those Tennessee supporters (note: Tennessee supporters), Meyer didn’t violate an NCAA rule when he phoned Richardson during a recruiting trip to Tennessee.
So help me out. Where’s the controversy here? Kiffin was talking to a bunch of … Tennessee supporters.
Have you ever been to one of these booster-type events for an average college team from a power conference? They are pep rallies that often go over the top, with the head coach serving as school mascot, drum major, standup comic, resident psychologist, PR man and grand poobah between talking X’s and O’s.
They say stuff. They say silly stuff. Then, during one of the few times when some or all of their stuff gets into the public domain, they say predictable stuff — such as, “I didn’t say that,” or “I was misquoted,” or “I was taken out of context.”
Even Kiffin tried to back away from his words to Tennessee supporters (note: Tennessee supporters) by telling Carvell, “It was not as bad (as it was made out to be). I didn’t mean any disrespect toward the University of Florida or Coach Meyer.”
Yes, Kiffin did, but so what? He was saying that stuff to Tennessee supporters.
It happens.
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108 comments Add your comment
Vol-n-ATL
March 25th, 2009
2:56 pm
Mark Richt spent a solid year apologizing for the end zone dance. The only thing it did was convince his players that they should all fear the Gators and Urban ran it up on them anyway. Screw Florida, they already beat us 59-20 in 2007. If we get run up on people will say “we knew that was coming”; but if we don’t and somehow make it a game or, dare I say, pull on Ole Miss on them……….watch out. Win/win for Kiffin.
Man Crush
March 25th, 2009
2:56 pm
Can we honestly go one day without mentioning Kiffin? I visit AJC.com each day to find out which reporter has the latest Kiffin man-crush. The horse is glue people. Of all the sports news going on and each reporter has to write a story a week on Lane. And it’s all about the same event. Just rehashed. Obsessed doesn’t even begin to describe it. Lane’s agent should work to get royalties on each time his name is mentioned in the AJC alone. He could double his salary. But if you want to keep giving him free face time here in Atlanta for those potential recruits, so be it.
georgiavol
March 25th, 2009
2:56 pm
Terence,
Give up trying to talk to these UGA hypocrites. It’s too bad they reflect a large segment of our society, taking offense at the drop of a hat.
Steve
March 25th, 2009
2:55 pm
Terrence, there is no excuse for writing this article. You can state more than a few have done it and it’s alright if it’s not out of control, but do you need me to bring up the comments to the South Carolina recruit again?
Forget the Florida stuff, that is old news. I am shocked you even brought it up. The more recent problem is him bashing EVERY single recruit that has ever played for South Carolina. He took personal shots at every one of them with his ‘pumping gas like all the other recruits who go to South Carolina’ comments. His defense is he never said it, which is the same defense he originally used for two other comments he has been blasted for since becoming the UT coach, both of which he later apologized for .. in other words admitting he said those things, and then admitting he lied about not saying him.
He is a big mouthed, white trash idiot, that is representing a school of higher, well, somewhat higher, learning. There is no excuse for him to make these comments.
And no, I am not a South Carolina or Florida fan. I am a Georgia fan, and a ‘mature’ white male. It would be like me making a statement that you could go work for the AJC, just like all the other so-called journalists who have never amounted to anything in their lives and ended up writing like first graders. We all know there are at least one or two decent journalists at the AJC, so this statement, even if accurate for the majority, would still not be something that should be stated in public.
BigRut
March 25th, 2009
2:52 pm
At least he has the guts to open his mouth and speak his mind unlike someone up in Athens who wants to be the choir boy! And this is coming from a UGA fan. You like a coach with some fire in him every once in a while.
DawginLex
March 25th, 2009
2:50 pm
You bash Richt for an on field celebration vs florida but forgive this idiot for embarrassing himself and his university? Richt has conducted himself with class throughout his 8 years and you have nothing good EVER to say about him.
Yet you now defend Kiffen who has done nothing but stir up controversy, embarrass himself and the university and also has a total of ZERO wins as a major college football coach?
I don’t get it.
Spud Webb
March 25th, 2009
2:39 pm
That is what I’m talking about Terrance, I hope Kiffen p&sses off everyone in the SEC at some point!!!! Adds to rivalries!!! Can’t wait till he pops off about Spurrier. Should be some classic quotes!!!
Volalicious
March 25th, 2009
2:39 pm
UT! Wild boyz UT! Wild boyz UT! Wild boyz
Kent
March 25th, 2009
2:31 pm
So you’re looking forward to U F hanging 70 on Tennessee? Not with that defense they wont. Your thoughts should be I hope Florida doesnt hang 70 on Georgia. I find many of Kiffins comments very funny. Example, when ESPN told him Florida was making his comments locker room material and Kiffin replied ” Thats great for recruiting to walk thorough the UF locker room and see our logo everywhere” . Thats Priceless. Keep on bragging UGA , just like you did with the preseason #1 ranking and you see where that got you !
griffdawg1
March 25th, 2009
2:27 pm
SHOULD HAVE SAID WHO CARES… ABOUT AUBURN!!!