Lane Kiffin's Wrong Move: Don't Mess with Urban Meyer

When Dr. Grimm, a.k.a. Al Davis first hired Lane Kiffin as head coach, I liked the move. It was good to see a young face pacing the sidelines in the NFL, as the coaches tend to be older.

Also, Lane wasn't one of those recycled so-called "commodities" like Norv Turner or Wade Phillips.

One thing we know about Davis is that he isn't shy about firing someone who doesn't go along with his program.

With all of his emphasis on himself, maybe he should just coach from upstairs to avoid all of the walking and intensity being on-field provides.

Then again, he probably already does.

As in many coaching "marriages" of recent times, Davis decided to let Kiffin go, saying he was "disloyal" and "not fit to coach the Raiders."

He really was saying that Kiffin didn't want to fall under his rule.

After that bizarre news conference in which Davis unleashed a verbal arsenal on Kiffin and squashed him like a mid-summer slug, I actually felt bad for Lane and hoped he would find vindication elsewhere.

After all, Kiffin didn't really get a fair shot in Oakland (not even coaching two seasons), so who knows what he can actually do?

When the Tennessee Volunteers announced the departure of long-time coach Phillip Fulmer, it was obvious that the coaching market was reflecting the national economy, as jobs were drying up.

More so, it was apparent that the Vols needed a shot in the arm, and who better than...Lane Kiffin?

It just didn't make sense to me.

Lane had virtually no experience as a college head coach, and it seemed that he could get some kind of gig in the NFL considering the fact that he coached the "storm in silver and black" and had something to prove.

It was definitely a surprising move, and Kiffin wasted no time inserting foot into throat in his introductory press conference.

Kiffin made a promise to beat Florida in their swamp this coming September. Nothing wrong with a little confidence and competitiveness against your biggest rival, right?

Nope, nothing wrong with it unless Jonathan Crompton (or whoever) is your QB and you've been trampled by the Gators several times recently.

I get it, Kiffin wanted to fire up the fans and show his players he believed in their talents. No harm, no blood, no foul.

But what Kiffin said next was like gargling his own crusty toes.

In a breakfast attended by many Vols fans, Kiffin laid right into two-time BCS National Champion Florida head coach Urban Meyer.  And I do mean laid into him.

First, he tried to snitch on Meyer, in his own way, by saying he was going to "turn Florida in right here in front of you" regarding recruit Nu'Keese (terrible name, by the way) Richardson and Florida potentially breaking NCAA rules.

Then, he followed that by alleging that Meyer called Richardson while he was on his official visit at Tennessee. This was his damning comment.

"Just so you know, when a recruit's on another campus, you can't call a recruit on another campus," Kiffin said. "I love the fact that Urban had to cheat and still didn't get him."

Uh, the problem with that statement is the whistle blower actually called a violation that doesn't exist, and last I checked, that's called ignorance.

Turns out that Urb did no wrong by calling Richardson while he was on an official visit, even if he called the kid while at Tennessee.

The comment delighted all in attendance in Summitt Land, even Kiffin himself, as witnessed through his Kool-Aid smile.

A few hours later, though, that smile was wiped off of Kiffin's face like a child being told a resounding "no" while begging for a Reese's cup in a grocery store checkout line.

Not only did the Gator AD Jeremy Foley issue a statement verbally smacking the 33-year-old Kiffin, but SEC Commissioner Mike Slive put out a statement putting Kiffin in his place, saying "We expect our coaches to have an understanding and knowledge of conference and NCAA rules."

So do the Volunteer faithful at their breakfast.

Obviously, Mr. Kiffin doesn't have knowledge of his superiors.  He can only pray to have the kind of success that Meyer has enjoyed at both Utah and Florida.

It's one thing to come into a job with a fresh personality and somewhat brash attitude, but there's a fine line between confidence and being a complete donkey.

Kiffin reacted to his "oops" by saying his statement was "solely meant to excite the crowd" and "if I offended anyone at the University of Florida, including Mr. Foley and Urban Meyer, I sincerely apologize. That was not my intention."

Really? We would have thought you were intending to offend Meyer's wife and best friend as well.

Where I'm from, there's a general rule that you steer clear of people whose lives or accomplishments are far above your head, unless you have the talent or gumption to overtake them.

Meyer is an accomplished coach with Tim Tebow and other weapons returning next season, while Kiffin is a rookie college coach who's trying to get his detractors and his own Vols team (and heck, maybe his kids) to believe in him.

While I understand the "take down the biggest and baddest entity to solidify our place" initiative, it just doesn't make sense right now.

Mark Richt was taught to not slight Urban after his Georgia team celebrated foolishly two seasons ago in a win over Florida. Meyer repaid him with a 49-10 lashing and two timeouts after the outcome was known to let the alcohol burn in the wound.

Kiffin better be ready to come on to that Gator field blazing, because after these silly swings in the dark, Meyer will have Tebow like Dracula with a pretty little victim in waiting.

Way to fan the flames with gasoline, Lane. Better circle your calendars.

I will.