Tennessee's Lane Kiffin's Biggest Detractor Gives Him an Atta Boy

If anyone has been harder in this publication that I have on Lane Kiffin, I missed it. I've called him Little Lord Loudmouth, Lame Kiffin and more.  I've pointed out his mistakes, lies and foolishness.

But in the sense of fairness, I've got to give him a pat on the back, a thumbs up, and a big "Atta Boy" for this week's dismissal of Brandon Warren, a very good athlete that has shown just a glimpse of his total athleticism.

Lane Kiffin is showing the "Knoxville Country Club" members of the Tennessee Vols that this ain't Phillip Fulmer's team any more.  His straighten up or pack up mentality is to be commended.

None of us will know everything that was said and transpired between Warren, his team mates or coaches, and we don't really need to. All we know, and all we really need to know is that his behavior broke the code of conduct that Lane Kiffin drew in the sand, and this dismissal shows that no one is beyond the rules.

Way to go Lane!

If I hadn't made a promise to hold your feet to the fire for entire season for you escapades earlier, I might gladly give you a pass until you started your shenanigans again.

So I'll do the next best thing. I'll praise you for doing something right.

This is something I didn't expect. It's so un-West Coast mentality. You are actually acting like a veteran coach from the South.

I don't know whether it's the steady stream of beat downs you have guided your to or the clarity that more are on the way, but you've certainly toned down the rhetoric, the silliness and now have started acting, well for lack of a better term, a grown up.

Something now tells me that unlike Fulmer, you wouldn't have given a punter so many chances to keep embarrassing himself and your team with so many DUI's. You may actually turn that mentality around in Tennessee.

I can say that as a Floridian I come into contact with fans of many programs, and all are genuinely pleased with your actions in this case. Dare I even go so far as to say they and I, are proud of you?

Ok, I am. I am as convinced by how you dealt with the press on the subject to how you handled it with the player, that this was heartfelt, determined and no publicity stunt.

You may have what it takes not only to control your players, and to mold them not just into good players, but great men. Only time will tell, but I convinced that you've turned a corner in many minds.

You've certainly got my attention now and I thought I should be man enough to acknowledge it.

One more time for good measure Lane, Atta Boy!