3 things I learned at lunch: more chest-thumping from the Kiffin Recruiting Chimera
by Joel on Feb 5, 2009 12:30 PM EST
in Tennessee Volunteer Football
100 comments
Stuff I heard on my iPod while eating lunch in my car, vaguely half remembered, probably incorrectly, un- fact-checked or otherwise verified, and probably just made up in between sips of aspartame.
- There was apparently a post-NSD recruiting party somewhere in Knoxville this morning with the Kiffin Recruiting Chimera and a bunch of fans. Kiffin told the crowd that Urban Meyer committed a secondary recruiting violation by calling Nu'Keese Richardson while he was on his official visit to Tennessee. Kiffin said something to the effect, "Florida was cheating, and they still couldn't beat us."
- Kiffin also gave credit to Lance Thompson for landing ten of the Alabama signees in last year's No. 1 class and for being responsible for about that many in this year's No. 1 class. Says Thomspon, "Nick Saban ain't gonna be getting any more of my guys."
- Lane Kiffin apparently does an outstanding impression of Ed Orgeron. Somebody please post video of this.
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Your coach...
… is really going to regret irritating Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators.
I’m just sayin’. :)
Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com
by Gatorpilot on Feb 5, 2009 12:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And let's not kid ourselves, here...
It’s not like Urban is known for his class, ya know? He’d hang half a hundred on us if he could anyway, even if Kiffin and Meyer were bosom buddies.
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Class?
When Urban Meyer’s 2004 Utah team won the Fiesta Bowl and went undefeated, he called the former coach, Ron McBride, and publically noted that Ron McBride had as much to do with these wins as Meyer did and deserved credit as well since they were kids recruited by McBride, it was, as he said, McBride’s team.
Here’s betting you don’t hear that out of Kiffin if he succeeds in two years.
Yes, this system of polling for rank and chances to play in the Championship game encourages people hanging points on you, all BCS teams with a chance ot move up do it if they can. Change the system then, don’t complain about folks who play within that system.
by MeanBobMean on Feb 6, 2009 10:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So
Thew only people who seem to care are bloggers who weren’t in the room at the time.
It’s always good to see experts at work!
;-)
by MeanBobMean on Feb 6, 2009 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's good for the rivalry, though.
What was once Spurrier-Fulmer is now Meyer-Kiffin. Florida has a huge head start; we’ll see how Tennessee comes out of the gate and down the track.
But what shouldn’t get lost in all of this is that if Meyer was indeed calling a recruit while he was on an official visit, that is technically a violation (albeit not necessarily a huge one). Certainly he knew that Nuke was at UT at the time; it was all over the recruiting news venues, much less his desk calendar. It’s kinda like when Alabama fans got so upset at Fulmer because one of their boosters (rogue or not) slipped $$$ towards recruits. Sure, Fulmer turned him in, but it wasn’t Fulmer who broke the rules.
And I really wish I could think of an example that didn’t involve UT…
by Hooper on Feb 5, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I watched the video
I watched the video of Kiffin giving the speech where he accuses Meyer of the violation.
Kiffin first says that Richardson told the local newspaper last Friday that he was not going to visit Tennessee so “the people down there” (the Florida coaches) would think they they still had him and keep the pressure off.
So even though it was all over the recruiting services that Richardson was going to UT for a visit, the kid himself apparently wanted to make the Florida coaches think he wasn’t going (if what Kiffin said is true). So in his big speech to “turn in” Urban Meyer for a violation, he gives Meyer plausible deniability.
Meyer can tell the NCAA that Richardson told him that he wasn’t going, and therefore Meyer believed that he wasn’t on an official visit. I can’t imagine the NCAA holding the word of recruiting services above the word of the player himself. So if Richardson did try to deceive the UF coaches as Kiffin says, then nothing will come of this particular episode.
by Year2 on Feb 5, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Meyer knew
Of course he knew. Everyone knew. It was an Official Visit.
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Probably
He probably did; I’m sure all the coaches have unofficial sources that tell them where the top prospects are going and what they’re up to.
That’s why I said plausible deniability. By announcing that Richardson meant to deceive the Florida coaches, Kiffin gave a way for Meyer to not even have to take the online training course hooper mentioned below. Kiffin corroborated an alibi for Meyer before he even said a violation occurred.
by Year2 on Feb 5, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think that the Official Visit, by nature, means that Meyer had to know
The information was public, or whatever. I don’t know, I’m not a lawyer. Ask Joel I guess.
That said, I agree with Hooper… nothing is going to come of this.
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, either way,
congrats on another good class yourselves. Setting the Nuke/Teague stuff and the coaching slapfest aside, Urban landed another run of high-end guys. Between that and the number of returning starters you have, you are in great shape.
BTW, what is the backup plan for Tebow’s departure?
by Hooper on Feb 5, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks
Thanks, and I think the new UT staff did about as well as could be expected on short notice.
Redshirt sophomore John Brantley, Jr. is in line to take over after Tebow. He’s got a good arm but is more of a pocket passer than Tebow is. Brantley is not solely a pocket guy like Chris Leak was; he’s got some wheels to scramble around if necessary and get some nice yardage running from time to time. Not saying he’ll definitely be as good, but his style is closer to Colt McCoy or Chase Daniel than Tebow.
After Brantley, there’s an ‘09 signee Jordan Reed. He’s about Tebow-sized in height and weight, but I haven’t read anything indicating he likes to run over people. Reed wasn’t nearly as highly touted as Tebow was and I think one of the recruiting services even had him as a 3* guy, but he blew away the UF coaches at a camp and they’ve been high on him ever since.
Brantley is definitely the guy in 2009, no doubt about it. After him will be Reed or some 2010 guy they’ve already lined up that I don’t know a thing about.
by Year2 on Feb 5, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Either way, nothing will probably come of it.
It’s such a minor detail – especially on a first-time event – that the most you’ll hear of might be one of those 5-minute “online training” deals. No worries.
by Hooper on Feb 5, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
FWIW
I think the Kiffin/Meyer rivalry probably goes back to Kiffin’s days at USC. It’s not like this ist the first time they have been competing against one another for recruits.
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 12:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I hope they realize...
That Kiffin isn’t going to be kicked around by Saban or Urban. They can talk about hanging 50 on somebody all they want. We had a successful recruiting class and Kiffin pointed out a little disrespect from out Florida colleagues. Its not personal fellas…its all business..
by USMarineVol on Feb 5, 2009 12:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
when you accuse..
a coach of cheating..it is no longer “all business”
by brandonh on Feb 5, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Meyer will take it personally.
You saw what happened last time he took something personally. Mark Richt is still removing the cleat spikes from his ass after a 49-10 pounding. Seriously, Urban Meyer is one guy you don’t want to piss off. I guarantee Kiffin will ultimately regret his personal posturing and criticisms of a highly successful coach.
Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com
by Gatorpilot on Feb 5, 2009 5:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I guarantee he won't.
So we will have to agree to disagree.
Where were you when Alge fumbled? I was in 339, hatin' Music City Miracles!
by gramsey712 on Feb 5, 2009 5:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I will bookmark your 'guarantee'.
We’ll see who’s got the coach to back it up.
Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com
by Gatorpilot on Feb 5, 2009 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously
I go back to my original question. What does he have to lose? Florida has already dishumiliarrassed us about as much as a team can over the past couple of years. They’ll likely do it again this year. So if that jab results in an extra two touchdowns, what’s the big deal? I don’t know whether a larger margin of victory necessarily equates to remorse.
And come on, Gatorpilot, this is much more fun than how the rivalry’s been the last few years, right?
;-)
Go Vols!
by Joel on Feb 5, 2009 8:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To the last point...
… yes. :)
Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com
by Gatorpilot on Feb 5, 2009 10:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What are you pounding your chest about here?
UT may not win in Gainesville, but that doesn’t mean that Kiffin is gonna regret anything he has done or said.
Ya’ll ain’t gonna have king tebow forever.
Where were you when Alge fumbled? I was in 339, hatin' Music City Miracles!
by gramsey712 on Feb 5, 2009 10:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I love it
Urban Meyer tries to be a bully. Some times the best way to deal with a bully is to punch him in the face (see “A Christmas Story”).
by kidbourbon on Feb 5, 2009 1:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I like the attitude
Now all they have to do is demonstrate it’s not just bluster. That ought to be easy, right? … right?
"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook
by rustytanton on Feb 5, 2009 1:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe... but probably not.
Not trying to stir the pot here — Kiffin did that for all of us — but methinks 59-20 is going to be a pleasant memory after Meyer has his say. On the field.
Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com
by Gatorpilot on Feb 5, 2009 6:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
heh
I’m telling you, 73-20 wouldn’t really feel that much worse than 59-20.
Go Vols!
by Joel on Feb 5, 2009 8:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I concur.
But neither is gonna happen. This ain’t Fulmer ball anymore.
Where were you when Alge fumbled? I was in 339, hatin' Music City Miracles!
by gramsey712 on Feb 5, 2009 10:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Right.
I think Meyer ought to aim at triple-digit territory. Not an impossible dream… :)
Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com
by Gatorpilot on Feb 5, 2009 10:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Most Be Pretty Boring Over in Gator Territory
Quit beating this dead horse. We as Tennessee Vols have nothing to lose at this point. We’ve felt the agony of defeat in the worst ways. We are a team on the rise, thats something to worry about. Not some silly war of words.
by bsmithinc on Feb 5, 2009 11:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We will not forget this.
This is, in Urban Meyer parlance, a “bad deal”. Every Gator fan I know is pissed — not the friendly, ha-ha kind of pissed either. Your coach’s mouth is going to cost your university more pride. And I’m not just talking about 2009.
Orange and Blue Hue: The World through GATOR-colored Glasses -- http://www.orangeandbluehue.com
by Gatorpilot on Feb 6, 2009 8:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Live Feed of the Luncheon in Nashville
http://www.tennessean.com/section/SPECIAL0112
Not sure how long it has been going on…
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 1:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nice pickup
Monte Kiffin called Nuke the best player in America.
Word.
by Will on Feb 5, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the link.
Monte’s a whirlwind.
by Hooper on Feb 5, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Gators
Are the only program to which Tennessee currently has something to really prove, in my mind. If Alabama beats us again this year, they’ll join that group. The good news is that despite the 5-7 season, the Big Orange have still been more than successful against Georgia, South Carolina, etc. for the better parts of decade. So Florida is the only one where right now it’s all noise with nothing recent to back it up…so we’re making verbal shots on the recruiting front because it’s the only thing tangible we have over them. Unless we want to talk about basketball, and I’d rather not be confused with Kentucky fans.
by Will on Feb 5, 2009 1:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Mote on Nukeese
(paraphrase) “This guy is gonna convert on those third downs. We (the defense) get to drink gatorade on the sidelines!”
He is really, really high on this kid.
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 1:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It's nice to see an incredible defensive mind
like monte talk about how great an offensive player is going to be. just something special about it.
by samhitch on Feb 5, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and im not implying monte's mind was speaking
more of that he was speaking his mind. chicken laid the egg. im digging a deep hole of impotency.
by samhitch on Feb 5, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kiffin says we are going to have another one by the time they get to Memphis
What is that… 5 oclock?
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 2:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Hard to believe
He still has an OV to USC.
I’m thinking Oku.
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
to be fair, he said "might"
But “will” would be nice, too!
by Hooper on Feb 5, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ha...
21 of 22 spots are open (Eric Berry’s is safe).
Smart guy that Lane Kiffin.
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 2:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like a total reboot at the position.
Howzabout we put a 6-month moratorium on QB evaluations until we get some feedback from this staff?
Or at least until after the O&W…
by Hooper on Feb 5, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In all fairness though..
Palmer and Leinart were playing for USC in the kindergarten conference.
by samhitch on Feb 5, 2009 2:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Both did make it to the NFL, though
Even though Leinart is a bust, I think it’s more of his attitude than anything else.
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Palmer's not so great either, though.
He does play for the bengals, though.
by samhitch on Feb 5, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
palmer was a top 3 qb in the nfl
before the squeelers took out his knee in that playoff game. never been the same.
The Official Enforcer of MCM
by hal41605 on Feb 5, 2009 9:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
On the first day of Signing my head coach gave to me...
An superstar from Pa-hokee.
On the second day of Signing my head coach gave to me…
The second coming of Eric Berry.
On the third* day of Signing my head coach gave to me…
The nation’s #1 APB
*considering tonight to be a third day… artistic license and all that
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 2:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That'll work.
I won’t critique the licensure.
by Hooper on Feb 5, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kiffin on for another conference?
theyre showing videos at a press conference
by samhitch on Feb 5, 2009 2:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Just heard Da Coach O impression
Funny stuff!
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 2:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It's the replay of the presser above...
I’m not sure how long they will keep looping it.
by rblakeh on Feb 5, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lance Thompson:
“First thing you need to know about me is: don’t believe anything you read about me on an Alabama website.”
funny
by Hooper on Feb 5, 2009 2:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Does Kiffin realize he is coming to the Swamp this year with a fully loaded Gator team. Does he want to get blown out that quickly. Wow.
by psgtr on Feb 5, 2009 2:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think he meant "Does Kiffin realize he is coming to the Swamp this year with a fully loaded Gator team? Does he want to get blown out that quickly? Wow!"
The lack of punctuation was probably due to the fact that Gator fans typically just hammer at the keyboard with their fists and see what happens.
Where were you when Alge fumbled? I was in 339, hatin' Music City Miracles!
by gramsey712 on Feb 5, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I've embedded that streaming thing on the front page
Go Vols!
by Joel on Feb 5, 2009 2:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Update re: violation
Apparently, calling a recruit while he’s on an official visit with another school is not a violation after all.
by Year2 on Feb 5, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I heard something about that, too.
Also having heard the audio, I’m not sure that Lane was totally serious about the comment. Either way, it’ll amount to nothing. It’s not like these two programs were planning on a half-baked approach to the next game, and now with this new info, they’ll go all-out. It’s good fan fodder, but it’ll mean nothing to the outcomes of the games.
by Hooper on Feb 5, 2009 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well,
Whether he was serious or not, the UF athletics director thinks it was and is out for a public apology. On top of that, publicly accusing another conference coach of an NCAA violation without going through the conference’s reporting procedure breaks an SEC rule.
You may be right; after all, Kiffin has been around the recruiting block enough times that he should know whether Meyer’s call was improper or not. I’ll be interested to see if this escalates to the conference level over the rule about publicly accusing other schools of violations.
And for sure, I’ll be interested to see if either he or any of the staff address the matter or repeats the line about cheating in Nashville or Memphis this evening. I can’t imagine any of them haven’t been contacted by the SID about not doing it again due to the conference’s rule.
by Year2 on Feb 5, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, he should have known.
That tells me that he got caught up in the heat of the moment, having a full crowd of enthusiastic Vol boosters applauding his efforts as a recruiter and as Fulmer’s successor. He made a mistake and apologized. (I’ll leave the apology alone.)
The jury has to be out on Kiffin for a while. If he wins, he’ll be in the same category as Spurrier – a guy who was very effective at what he did and ran his mouth off in less-than-tactful ways. With Spurrier, it was “that’s just Spurrier for you” because he had the success to back it up. Right now, Kiffin neither has the success nor the failure.
But he’s 34 (IIRC). He’ll make more mistakes before he’s through, and some will undoubtedly be spectacular.
by Hooper on Feb 5, 2009 11:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Safest bet of the year
I like what Kiffin is doing by acting with some bravado and chest-thumping towards Meyer and Saban. They are UT’s two biggest rivals, and he’s treating them accordingly. I especially like the reference to “punching the bully in the face” earlier. I think that is spot-on regarding Meyer. He comes across as a bully type of coach and doesn’t like when others stand up to him or his team. I will also say that Lane Kiffin has not won a game in the SEC, nor has he even coached a game in the SEC and is already stepping on toes. That may be a dangerous precedent to set. Right now though, taking Florida over Tennessee and the points may be the safest bet of the year. I’ve seen what happens when you make Urban Meyer angry. It ain’t pretty.
http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/
by AuditDawg on Feb 5, 2009 3:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
perhaps
UT has a ways to go to rebuild in the form that the Kiffins want. On offense, this’ll be our third edition in 3 years – each with different styles and player expectations. This coming year won’t be a good one to evaluate UT on, I’m afraid. But at least UT is entertaining again. I’ll take that, if nothing else.
by Hooper on Feb 5, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If nothing else
He’s making Spurrier mad because he’s taken some of Spur-dog’s thunder when it comes to snippy audio bits. And I think we can all agree that watching Spurrier suffer in the coach’s graveyard that is Columbia is a beautiful thing.
http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/
by AuditDawg on Feb 5, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oddly
It hadn’t occurred to me that this has turned out to be the exact same thing Spurrier did to Kiffin.
"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook
by rustytanton on Feb 5, 2009 6:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Except
Kiffin’s comments was a matter of fact accusation which turned out to be completely false (i.e. slander) while Spurrier’s comment was merely an inquisition. Spurrier said, “I’m not sure, but blah blah blah.” Kiffen flat out accused Meyer of cheating.
by Zoltar on Feb 5, 2009 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Eh, slander's a bit harsh.
At the end of the day we’re debating about a singular quasi-shady action in a series of events that revolves around a guy who just became eligible to vote in the last year. Really, it’s not that big a deal.
by Graysnail on Feb 5, 2009 9:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Depends on where you're sitting
I could just as easily say that Kiffin made a joke at a booster function, while Spurrier made an accusation in front of reporters.
by CornFromAJar on Feb 5, 2009 9:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kiffen
Kiffen is a moron. Think his daddy took him out and whipped him for being so stupid? You rocky toppers will be sorry you hired this guy (if you’re not already).
by BAMA1AGAIN on Feb 5, 2009 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
who else can smell fear?
The Official Enforcer of MCM
by hal41605 on Feb 5, 2009 9:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I assure you
it’s not fear…pity, maybe.
by brandonh on Feb 5, 2009 9:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually they are upset
That they don’t have Fulmer to kick around anymore.
Where were you when Alge fumbled? I was in 339, hatin' Music City Miracles!
by gramsey712 on Feb 5, 2009 10:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hm
At 10-5-1 lifetime against Alabama, I hope they never felt like they had him to kick around.
by Will on Feb 5, 2009 10:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I meant the "Wee hate Fullmur cuz hee terned us inn fur cheatin" crap we have put up with for so long.
Where were you when Alge fumbled? I was in 339, hatin' Music City Miracles!
by gramsey712 on Feb 6, 2009 9:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In short:
He’s no moron. He’s quite bright, actually. That doesn’t make anybody immune from missteps, though, and he’ll make more before he’s done.
No, his daddy didn’t whip him for it. I’m sure that nothing came of it between them. Monte has no interest in running the show; he just wants to handle the defense.
Whether we’ll be sorry is unpredictable right now. As for being sorry now (or not being sorry): it’d be foolish to conclude so soon. Given his buyout alone, we have a long time to wait and see how this plays out. Might as well relax and let it ride.
by Hooper on Feb 5, 2009 11:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Stir the pot, throw gasoline on a bonfire...it's something different that's for sure.
And the National Championship is clad in Big Orange!
by RockyTopinKY on Feb 5, 2009 8:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That was stupid, but I will bite
Thanks for the well wishes, and good luck against North Texas and Chattanooga!
Where were you when Alge fumbled? I was in 339, hatin' Music City Miracles!
by gramsey712 on Feb 6, 2009 8:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Do you guys play ULM this year?
If so, good luck.
Hopefully we don’t play Wyoming.
by rblakeh on Feb 6, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Those Sun Belt teams are nasty
We’ll give you a call if we need pointers.
by Graysnail on Feb 6, 2009 7:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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