Lane Kiffin to USC…Seriously
This is really happening Vol fans. Lane Kiffin is headed back to USC.  He’s content in trading Rocky Top for the beach, the meat-grinder of the SEC for the flash of the Pac-10, and secondary violations for the potential of serious NCAA sanctions. He’s going back to Cali and he’s taking your coaches and recruits with him. This is not a bad dream, it’s very real. Let that chip on your shoulder out for some air Vol Nation!
Lane Kiffin is off to USC. Not even the Hostesses could convince him to stay.
It seems that the wheels were set in motion earlier today and in record time. Jack DelRio’s name was pulled from the conversation this afternoon and just a couple of hours later this slimy deal was consumated. It would appear that Kiffin didn’t need any quiet time for reflection. Were his swimsuit and floppy hat already packed and ready to go? Did he even call his wife before taking the job? It seems like he handled the decision with the non-chalance of accepting an afternoon tee-time.
Kiffin isn’t just taking the wife and kids out to L.A. it appears he’s going to poach the coaching staff on the way out the door. Monte is in for spending his golden years in Cali, the humid Tennessee air wasn’t for him. The real coup is securing recruiting Jesus Ed Orgeron for the trip. While Orgeron could be conservatively described as a turd of a head coach, his record as a recruiter is tough to beat. As far as those recruits that Lane, Monte and Coach O had worked hard on bringing in? Will they be along for the ride out to USC? I think Joe Schad said it best on ESPNNEWS when he said that taking recruits to the new school is an “ethical dilemma.” That question seems to answer itself doesn’t it? I bet some of the blue-chippers find their way out despite the best work of the hostesses.
There’s going to be a good deal of hand wringing, teeth gnashing and talk of broken promises in Tennessee circles this week.   There ought to be. As a recent victim of Coaching Mercenary Roulette (burn in hell Chizik) all of those feelings are completely rightful. I’m here to tell you that it’s NOT your fault. You did NOTHING wrong. Your school IS a good place. It’s OKAY to feel jilted and pissed. It’s OKAY to hope he loses every game by a million points. You are not wrong in cheering for the death penalty at USC. Don’t feel guilty in hoping that an opposing linebacker running full speed plows him over while trying to make a tackle on the sidelines. You know damn well you would enjoy that. It’s NOT OKAY however to plant an overdosed hooker in his trunk is not. There have to be limits. Remember that it’s just a game.
The Vols need to act quickly to land a coach to maintain the all sacred recruiting but more importantly they need to make sure that coach wants to be there long term. Don’t bother with Jim Harbaugh. He’s a bigger coaching whore than Kiffin. You can be sure he’s waiting for your call, and you can be sure he will leave as soon as a better opportunity is presented. Ditto for Bobby Petrino. Forget about Chris Petersen and Gary Patterson, they have the loyalty that Kiffin lacks. Give up on the idea of a former NFL coach along the lines of Dungy or Gruden coming, they aren’t. Not ever. Call Will Muschamp, get a hold of Randy Edsall, hear what Mike Leach has to say.   Each of these guys would be thrilled to be in Tennessee, donned in that offensive orange that you insist on wearing.
UT faithful say goodbye.
