http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/ncaa/11/28/kiffin.tennessee.ap/index.html KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- 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. Kiffin, 33, replaces Phillip Fulmer, who was forced out after 17 seasons as Vols coach. Fulmer won a national championship in 1998 but had two losing seasons in the last five years, including a 4-7 mark this year.
Being the best coach willing to take the Oakland job is different from being the best coach available for the UT job.
He's going to bring in a hell of a defensive staff - his dad, Monte Kiffin, and ex-Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgeron. He has some awesome defensive talent there: Eric Berry is the best defensive player in football. Chris Donald, Brent Vinson, and Ben Martin are 5 star recruits that have tons and tons of potential. The new staff could and should work wonders with these young players. Kiffin has to make sure he holds on to their prize quarterback commit Tahj Boyd. He is the next Donovan McNabb. I wonder if his hiring will sway some of the big time un-committed players like WR Reuben Randle, LB Jelani Jenkins, and DBs Dre Kirkpatrick and Craig Loston... It will be interesting to see how well Kiffin recruits.
from SI: Kiffin's biggest attribute is not his play-calling. Above all else, Kiffin was known at USC as a masterful recruiter. While then-recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron got the lion's share of credit for the recruiting juggernaut that Carroll's program became, Kiffin played an invaluable role both as an evaluator and the kind of "player's coach" to whom 17-year-olds could relate. He helped land former star receiver Mike Williams, among others. Presumably, Hamilton was aware of all this when he decided on Kiffin -- because improved recruiting is exactly what Tennessee most needs if it hopes to return to national prominence.
You actually know college football? That is by far the smartest statement I've read in here regarding college. People have no clue the dominance the SEC has, and how powerful the whole conference is from top to bottom.
Which is why it's smart for Kiffin to take the job. You want to be known as one of the best? Well, here's your chance.
That means Ed Orgeron is coming back to the SEC, particularly at UT, as a recruiting specialist. Great.
Lane Kiffin is going to set up a hell of a staff. Ed Orgeron and Lane's dad, Monte will build a beastly defense. David Reaves, from South Carolina, is coming in as their recruiting specialist... Kiffin is already setting UT up for success.
