Lane Kiffin paints Mike Slive into a corner

by Joel Hollingsworth on Nov 5, 2009 7:37 AM EST in Tennessee Volunteer Football

So after the Alabama game, Lane Kiffin publicly complained about what he considered to be a blown call by the officials (the third in three weeks for three different teams) and said he'll probably get "one of those letters that doesn't mean anything like Bobby Petrino got."

Failing to comprehend from the context of the situation that Kiffin was referring to an apology letter, Mike Slive sent a particularly snippy reprimand letter to Kiffin for publicly criticizing officials, some of whom are on suspension for being particularly bad. Slive then sent a league-wide memo to all coaches informing them that from now on, he'll be skipping the reprimands and going straight to fines and suspensions for publicly criticizing officials.

Last week, Urban Meyer saw the Brandon Spikes eye-gouge that the officials missed and suspended Spikes for half a game against hapless Vanderbilt. He did not send a letter and the tape to Slive complaining about it and did not publicly complain about the officials missing this call.

Meyer then saw a late hit on Tim Tebow by a Georgia defender that the officials missed, and he sent a letter and the tape to Slive and publicly criticized the officials for missing it.

Mike Slive, whatchagonnado? Lane Kiffin is watching and waiting.

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I will be very surprised

if anything comes from this.

Kiffin might get a letter for criticizing the SEC, but that will probably be about it. Florida will be excused because he was asking a question about how they were handling the issue rather than criticizing the officials outright (which is a bs distinction but hey…).

Yes, Im a bit of a cynic some times.

by Muhler on Nov 5, 2009 7:58 AM EST reply actions

Yeah, nothing will happen.

Though if it did, that’d leave the Gators in the hands of Charlie Strong for the day. I have no doubt that Strong would then show that he’s perfectly capable of managing the head coaching responsibilities. Which is a great thing for Virginia.

by David Hooper on Nov 5, 2009 8:26 AM EST reply actions

You think Virginia's that competent and forward-thinking?

Eric Berry for sending the guy who wins the Heisman spinning 720 degrees in the air at the podium - or for intercepting it and returning it to where it rightfully belongs

by Chris Pendley on Nov 5, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

That was more rhetorical than anything else.

BTW, Colorado’s talking buyout…

by David Hooper on Nov 5, 2009 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

From what ESPN's Chris Low

Has been saying is that something will come of this. Mark Slive has to, else he’ll lose all faith of the rest of the SEC’s coaches.

Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!

by bobo_the_vol on Nov 5, 2009 10:03 AM EST reply actions

I'm hoping he goes with 'fine of undisclosed amount'.

Because you just know that GVX will FOIA it.

by David Hooper on Nov 5, 2009 10:08 AM EST up reply actions

that would be amusing to say the least.

by Muhler on Nov 5, 2009 10:44 AM EST up reply actions

Obviously, he will discipline Meyer....

OR NOT!.

I loved that.

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti

by sddbaker on Nov 5, 2009 10:16 AM EST reply actions

That coach is NOT disciplined.

Tennessee Fans: We win at teh Internet!

by bobo_the_vol on Nov 5, 2009 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

Slive painted himself into a corner

and he needs to take the opportunity in the offseason to back waaaaaaaaaay off. The commish doesn’t need to be so public, and this is a dangerous road we’re walking down, because you don’t want fanbases and coaches talking about the commish instead of the football.

Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Nov 5, 2009 11:07 AM EST reply actions

Kiffin

Not to nitpick your comments, but Kiffin essentally questioned the integrity of the officials with his comments. Meyer questioned one call, or more precisely lack-there-of. Of course with that said, I full expect there to be some sort of reprimand against Meyer. It is almost a too perfect of an opportunity for the SEC to make itself look like it is not playing favorites with Florida. Also, I think it helps divert attention away from Brandon Spike, which was probably the intent of what Meyer said.

by Kenny483 on Nov 5, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions

Perhaps true, but Kiffin's comments are not the only ones in play.

At the same time that Kiffin made his comments, Dan Mullen had his own. He did not question integrity, but was fairly explicit regarding competency. And the gag order gave no delineation between types of criticism.

Even though Kiffin’s and Mullen’s comments were unquestionably stronger than Meyer’s, Slive still took a carte blanche stand against any criticism of officials.

by David Hooper on Nov 5, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions