Free Agency: A Lone UT Fan in Defense Of Lane Kiffin

Let’s get this over with first of all.  Lane Kiffin left UT football worse than he found it, he damaged UT’s reputation, and likely broke a few rules along the way.  I defended him most of his short time at Tennessee because I thought he was a decent coach, recruiter, and player developer even when my gut said “slime ball”. 

I’m done talking about Lane Kiffin.  I threw his name out because I know his name gets attention.  Hell, the guy likes attention so much he probably wrote half the articles slamming him so he’d get noticed. 

 

Instead I am going to focus on the current and future state of college athletics.  Since I’m guessing the standard reader of this site is either the older male, the college student, or the working stiff trying their best NOT to do anything productive today (like me) I’m addressing you because a lot of you are in the demographic who doesn’t get why Lane Kiffin did what he did. 

 

I’m true Generation X.  My father worked for one company his entire career.  He was loyal to the company he worked for and they were loyal to him for a good portion of it.  But in the last 10-15 years, something changed.   I watched his company steadily cut benefits and eventually lay him off without a second glance.  I saw how his loyalty was rewarded – with a pink slip.  Instead of lamenting this, I learned to accept that’s how business is.  I have changed companies two times, each time for more money and a better overall job and didn’t think twice.  I’m a free agent.  If I see a better opportunity I will leave my current job in a second. My coworkers?  Nice folks, but my family and career comes first.

 

Why is head coach of a football program any different?  We have zero loyalty to our coaches; we’ll roll them under the bus when times are tough.  We have an annual sport on ESPN called “What coach is on the hot seat?” as we watch who is going to get fired.  They sleep on the floor in their offices, have major health issues, and sacrifice family time to do that job.  And when they have a chance to make more money or get closer to home or just better working conditions, they leave.  

 

These are all highly talented and marketable people.  Sorry Alabama fans but Nick Saban is not staying because of his love for Alabama football.  He’s staying because he enjoys his job and is fulfilled by it versus the alternatives.  Believe me, if something better comes along he WILL leave as will any of the other big name coaches.

 

What about the players who committed to a certain coach?  Don’t cry for them because they will continue to receive a free education in addition to playing in front of screaming crowds each Saturday in the fall. They’ll be just fine.  95% of them aren’t going to the NFL anyway. 

 

Be mad at Lane Kiffin for trying to snag recruits on his way out.  Be mad at him for embarrassing UT football.  Just don’t be mad when these coaches behave just like we would do in similar circumstances.