Every coach in college football is measured by one thing: wins and losses. There are times, however, when coaches are hired to revive programs, where you can count other things as measuring points on the job coaches are doing.
When Tennessee hired Lane Kiffin, the Vols were covered in mediocrity and had zero momentum on the national media. Kiffin's job, as he perceived, was to first get UT back on the front page in order to help recruiting and fan excitement.
Over the next several months, Kiffin did whatever he felt he needed to do. Sometimes, by his own admission, saying things he'd later say he wished he hadn't because of the light shed upon him.
"There are some things I said that I didn’t like to say that I had to say on purpose," Kiffin told Chris Low of ESPN.com.
Obviously, rival fans have had a field day with Kiffin's comments, most of which has come from Florida.
The Gators seemed to be Kiffin's main target, from his opening press conference all the way to a luncheon with boosters where he mistakenly accused Urban Meyer of violating NCAA rules. One for Meyer.
Florida fans have spent several months champing at the bit for a chance to get Kiffin. They made T-shirts, heck, the coaching staff even put Kiffin's quotes in the locker room of the defending National Champion.
The Swamp was packed. Signs threatening the impending blowout that most fans and experts are so sure is coming are displayed all over the stadium. The spread is 30. The massacre is on.
Except, not really.
Behind a gutsy, fast, never say die defense, the Vols hold the Gators to 23 points. Yes, I said 23 points. Offensively, a conservative gameplan was designed to keep from turning the ball over and keeping the game close.
See, part of the genius of Kiffin's plan of attack was something no one would have expected, his humbleness.
Kiffin knew that any chance at victory was pinned to a defensive or special teams touchdown, that he wouldn't outscore Florida on offense alone.
The Vols didn't get that "special" TD, and fell to the Gators 23-13. Score one for Meyer.
No moral victories, that's what everyone says. No, but you can take positives out of the game and see the victories racking up in other places.
Lane Kiffin's tactics in the off-season could be questionable to some, and understandably so. The ends, so far, have justified the means.
As a result of the excitement created by Kiffin and staff, the Vols were propelled above Florida in the 2009 recruiting class at both Rivals.com and Scout.com.
At the time of this article, Tennessee is currently ahead of Florida for the 2010 class, as well. Score 2 for Kiffin.
Part of the excitement around the UT program has been the attention it has gotten from the national media. Kiffin has lived by the "any attention is good attention" creed so far, and it's hard to argue with as time goes along.
Tennessee, a 5-7 team last year, has seen more face time on national television than any other school, including defending National Champion Florida.
That's a huge statement, considering Florida still has Jesus II, Tim Tebow, on the roster. That's another for Kiffin.
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