November 25, 2008

Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?

If you believe the things you read on the internet and hear on the radio, then... listen up: Lane Kiffen will be introduced on Monday as the next head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers.

If the rumors are true, it's one of the better hires that Tennessee could have made. While Kiffen lacks a boatload of skins to hang on his sherbert-colored walls, he certainly is a "name" coach who can recruit nationally - a must at UT.

I'm not convinced that Tommy Bowden isn't the best option for Tennessee, but -- if this pans out -- then Vols fans should be ready to celebrate come Monday.

If it doesn't pan out... what do you expect? It's the internet!

UPDATE 11/26/2008 8:00 AM

According to ESPN's Chris Lowe, Kiffen is not a done deal and that the UT team was on the road yesterday for coaching interviews. (No insight as to whom they were interviewing, though.)

Lowe knows for a fact that Kiffen has discussed the Vols job with potential assistants, including former Ole Miss coach Ed Oregeron, who coached with Kiffen at USC.

Orgeron was a recruiting whiz at Ole Miss, and he worked with Kiffin on the Southern California staff earlier this decade. I could see Orgeron coming as either a defensive coordinator, associate head coach and/or recruiting coordinator. I think the Vols will have their coach named by the middle of December. The other names to keep an eye on are Cincinnati's Brian Kelly, Texas Tech's Mike Leach and Air Force's Troy Calhoun. I think the Vols have also talked with Minnesota's Tim Brewster.

So... it isn't a done deal, but it is certainly a potential deal. Interesting.

UPDATE 11/29/2008 3:40 AM

According to an SI report, Tennessee has reached a deal with Lane Kiffin and he will be introduced at a press conference early next week. No confirmation/announcement will be held prior to the conclusion of the season out of deference to Coach Fulmer.

Tennessee and Lane Kiffin have reached a tentative agreement with the former Oakland Raiders coach to lead the Volunteers, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.

A formal announcement was expected early next week, said the person, who requested anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.

So... there you have it, Vols Nation.

Comments:

Lane Kiffen hired by Tennessee?
If you believe the things you read on the internet and hear on the radio, then... listen up: Lane Kiffen will be introduced on Monday as the next head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers. If the rumors are true, it's one of the better hires that Tennessee could have made. While Kiffen lacks a boatload of skins to hang on his sherbert-colored walls, he certainly is a "name" coach who can recruit nationally - a must at UT. I'm not convinced that Tommy Bowden isn't the best option for Tennessee, but -- if this pans out -- then Vols fans should be ready to celebrate come Monday. If it doesn't pan out... what do you expect? It's the internet!
UPDATE 11/26/2008 8:00 AM
According to ESPN's Chris Lowe, Kiffen is not a done deal and that the UT team was on the road yesterday for coaching interviews. (No insight as to whom they were interviewing, though.) Lowe knows for a fact that Kiffen has discussed the Vols job with potential assistants, including former Ole Miss coach Ed Oregeron, who coached with Kiffen at USC.
Orgeron was a recruiting whiz at Ole Miss, and he worked with Kiffin on the Southern California staff earlier this decade. I could see Orgeron coming as either a defensive coordinator, associate head coach and/or recruiting coordinator. I think the Vols will have their coach named by the middle of December. The other names to keep an eye on are Cincinnati's Brian Kelly, Texas Tech's Mike Leach and Air Force's Troy Calhoun. I think the Vols have also talked with Minnesota's Tim Brewster.
So... it isn't a done deal, but it is certainly a potential deal. Interesting.
UPDATE 11/29/2008 3:40 AM
According to an SI report, Tennessee has reached a deal with Lane Kiffin and he will be introduced at a press conference early next week. No confirmation/announcement will be held prior to the conclusion of the season out of deference to Coach Fulmer.
Tennessee and Lane Kiffin have reached a tentative agreement with the former Oakland Raiders coach to lead the Volunteers, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday. A formal announcement was expected early next week, said the person, who requested anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.
So... there you have it, Vols Nation.