On the contrary I'm going to try to accentuate the positives in this whole mess. And it is a mess. I've read a lot of writers calling Lane Kiffin things like a weasel and a snake. I'll be honest, I had those same sentiments initially. Such things are to be expected I suppose. But once the shock wears off, you've got to rely on your common sense. And when someone does something you don't like, the best thing you can do is ask yourself: What would I have done. Now, everyone in East Tennessee will tell ya they'd have stuck with UT. I'm sure that's true, but Lane Kiffin isn't from East Tennessee (for the record I believe he's from Minnesota).
As I was driving up the coast this morning on my way to the office, I found myself completely understanding Lane Kiffin. It's 70 degrees today in Southern California, and it's January 14th. While getting coffee I was hard pressed to find a female I didn't find attractive. I heard a radio personality ask the question: Where would you rather live, Manhattan Beach or Knoxville? I suppose it depends on the individual, but we all know how Lane Kiffin feels, and anyone with two I.Q. points to rub together should have known before Tuesday.
With Tennessee's recruiting class beginning to resemble a building in Haiti a lot of Tennessee fans are understandably upset and worried. I'd be lying if I said I didn't share some of that sentiment. But on the other hand, I for one am somewhat optimistic. If you thought Kiffin was going to stay longer than 5 years, you are delusional. He was a stepping stone for a program that was headed in a bad direction. Some folks have said that UT would have been better off not firing Phil Fulmer in the first place, I'm not in that camp. If you watched any UT games this year you know that this team played with intensity not seen in a Fulmer team this decade.
Finally, stop hating. If you need to hate, then don't hate the player... hate the game (I couldn't resist). This is the state of college football, and UT can compete in this climate. So if you need something to help you rest your little head, then use this: The University of Tennessee has a shit ton of cash, a stadium that seats 109,000 people, and first rate facilities. It's not going to take a genius salesman to get talented kids to come to play there. It's only going to take some time, which regardless of what the calendar says, Tennessee has plenty of.
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2 comments:
While I am still gonna call him "Lame" Kiffin, I tend to agree with you that it's not that big of a deal.
The biggest loss is Monty - our defense kicked ass this year!
Yeah, I figure quite a few people will. I get the luxury of seeing every USC game due to regional coverage. Francis is a huge USC fan now because Dana is an alum. So that should be fun.
You're right about the defense. I think we should be looking for a defensive mind rather than an offensive one.
John Gruden told ESPN radio this morning that he would eventually like to get back into coaching, and that UT has a special place in his heart. He got his for coaching gig there, and while there met his wife who is an alum. He's the sleeper pick if you ask me.
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