"It was a great one year. The people here in Knoxville, the community, everybody treated my family and me great. I've got relationships on this staff that I'll have forever. Lane Kiffin was as good as anybody I've been around," said Gran, who joined the Vols' staff in January after 10 years with Tommy Tuberville at Auburn. "Not only football wise �" and I've learned a ton of football under Lane Kiffin and Jim Chaney. They are really going to get this offense rolling, there's no doubt about it. For Lane Kiffin to be as supportive as he's been, knowing me for only a short period of time, he was a huge advocate of me and if I had a chance to better myself, and there's not very many coaches who are like that. I'll always be appreciative of that and the way he handled all of this.

"I'm grateful to Lane and everything he did for me and my family. Being in Knoxville for a year has been short, but like I said, the people here have been great. My family liked it, and it's just time for a new venture in our lives."