Lane Kiffin: Boy Wonder or Caped Crusader?

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Luckily for Lane Kiffin and the University of Tennessee football program, a second chance won’t be needed.

One thing is for sure after Kiffin’s first three days as the Vols head coach: the man is impressive.

As I watched the press conference on Monday, impressive is the word that kept coming to mind.  

Forget that he hasn’t coached a down for UT. Forget that he hasn’t presided over a single practice session. Forget that his only head coaching experience was with the dysfunctional Oakland Raiders franchise. Forget that he’s only 33 years old.

The guy is definitely the King of the Press Conference.

Usually, when a new head coach is named to any school, the press conference is nothing more than a meet-and-greet. With Lane Kiffin, it seemed more like an inauguration.

At least it gives UT fans, such as myself, hope for the future.

With all the talk about the program's declining skill level and lack of dedication to keeping the state’s best recruits from going elsewhere, as well as the promise of a Kiffin star-studded staff, it’s hard not to get one’s hopes up. 

Recruiting reports are already coming in from across the state. Obviously, Kiffin is making an early mark.

He’s already received ribbing from the ‘Ole Ball Coach himself. Steve Spurrier welcomed Kiffin to the SEC by accusing him of recruiting players before taking the recruiting exam mandated by the NCAA. Turns out that Kiffin took that exam well in advance of Sunday’s first recruiting call.

Still, one question comes to mind in this whole situation: Will this Boy Wonder become the Caped Crusader?

Beyond the tremendous show that was the initial press conference, beyond all the hype, and beyond all the talk, there’s reason to believe this hire could be a home run or a ground ball double play for Mike Hamilton and Kiffin.

The man is young; he’ll be 34 at the beginning of the ’09 season. Some see this as a problem. I see it as more of an asset. Relating to recruits and current players is something every SEC coach aspires to be able to do.

Kiffin's age helps him do that. Then just look at the staff he’s reportedly bringing in.

Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is one of the most respected assistants in the NFL. Ed Orgeron, one of the fiercest recruiters in the country, may become the defensive line coach. NFL offensive assistant Bill Callahan, who didn’t work out too well as Nebraska’s head coach, has been mentioned as well.

Already secured is David Reaves, a former recruiting coordinator at South Carolina, where he oversaw a top 10 recruiting class a season ago.

Take a look at Kiffin’s success at USC. He was able to recruit nationally for a USC program that finished 6-6 in his first year there. He was able to go all over the country and recruit great players like Mike Williams, Reggie Bush, and Nashville’s own Patrick Turner.

Not to mention his play-calling ability with the Trojans. Sure, he didn’t have full reign of the offense, but he had enough to help them play in two national championship games.

Another aspect that a lot of people have missed is Kiffin’s undeniable rapport with his players. It’s hard to gain respect in the NFL. It’s a lot easier to gain the respect of a college kid.

By most accounts, Kiffin was liked and respected by his Raiders team and opposing coaches in the NFL. That’s amazing for someone who was 31 years of age when he coached his first NFL game.

His detractors will point to his lack of success in the NFL and the ugliness that resulted in his firing from the Raiders.

My answer? One name: Al Davis. Enough said!

Is it a red flag, as many writers have pointed out, that neither Washington nor Syracuse contacted Kiffin despite his having connections with both schools?

Is it a red flag that Kiffin has never been a head coach in college and is now running one of the most storied programs in the SEC?

Is it a red flag that Kiffin was nothing more than the Boy Wonder to Pete Carroll’s Caped Crusader?

Only time will tell if these are valid concerns. Only time will tell if Kiffin takes Tennessee back to the top of the SEC. Only time will tell if he gets the best recruits in the nation.

Only time will tell if Lane Kiffin stays the Boy Wonder or becomes Tennessee’s Caped Crusader.