Did Kiffin Betray The Vols?

Last year UT hired Lane Kiffin after firing long time coach coach, Phil Fulmer. Kiffin came in with guns blazing and within the 1^st 24 hours had already caused a stir when he claimed he was looking forward to signing Rocky Top down in the swamp this year. That never materialized, along with a lot of other things now.

Kiffin did bring back the missing energy and a hope that had faded during Fulmer’s final years. Kiffin brought a lot of attention to UT, some good some not so good, and in doing so obtained a top 10 recruiting class in less than 2 months. Kiffin and his super staff also brought back a competitiveness to this football program in just one season that had been missing. UT’s overall record also improved but raising the bar on a 5-7 ’08 season wasn’t that big of a reach. Still there was hope. Another highly rated recruiting class was in the making and Kiffin’s early promise to rebuild UT back into a champion seem to be coming quicker than some thought possible. There were 2 types of people when you mentioned Kiffin’s name. You either loved him or you hated him.

Last night the worst case scenario happed when it was announced Kiffin had resigned and took the HC position at USC. No doubt the players, especially his 1^st class was shocked and disappointed as well as the Vol Nation. How could Kiffin who promised to rebuild this once proud program walk away after just one year, probably destroying this year’s recruiting class in the process. When Fulmer was fired many wanted UT to break away from hiring within the family. Well they did and this is what they got in return. Not only did they hire outside the program they hired a coach who had ties to another program and when the opportunity arose he quickly went back to his first love. Many fans and probably many people directly attached to the university feel betrayed right now. You know the players do. This is the risk you take when you hire someone who has more connections somewhere else than they do at their current position. Kiffin didn’t have any ties to UT. He had not been here long enough for the new home smell to go away in his new home. Our betrayal is best pointed at the powers that be who made this decision to hire such a high risk and expected a different results. I am not stating that hiring outside the UT family is wrong but if you look at the big picture involving the Kiffin hire there was not stability factor involved so how could we expect anything different.

UT’s AD job is on the line now and may or may not be able to be saved with this kick in the gut experience. The next decision concerning who takes over this program is the biggest ever facing UT. This program has faced too many disappointments to be betrayed again.

Keeping it Real

Go Vols!!!