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Kiffin Attempts To Get In Urban's Head; Foley Slaps Kiffin; Kiffin Says Sorry

When discussing Florida's signing class, my friend Tim and I kept wondering how much cash or hot Tennessee women Lane Kiffin offered Nu'Keese Richardson to swing him to the Vols. Perhaps some of those women Bruce Pearl has been photographed with?

Apparently, it was good old fashioned recruiting. But it also included Urban Meyer calling Richardson while the Pahokee standout was visiting Knoxville. As C'lay Travis and Deadspin point out, that is a violation. Unless the Knoxville visit was unannounced, which is entirely possible. It has been reported that UF called Richardson before the trip to Tennessee, apparently to talk him out of the visit.

A high school senior has the right to choose any school he wants, so I don't hold anything against Richardson or any kid who jumps. (How many of you have something against Jevon Snead for dropping Florida for Texas who he dropped for Ole Miss?)

It's the molotov cocktail of a quote from Kiffin.

"I love the fact that Urban had to cheat and still didn't get him," Kiffin said.

First of all, I would like to restate my position that there are ZERO game changers in this class. There are no Tebows, Bushs, not even an Orlando Pace. Richardson is simply not worth a recruiting violation. Secondly, Meyer should have been targeting more wides than just Richardson and Andre Debose. The early commit by Richardson, plus a longer season and coaching changes probably led to some lazyness in recruiting Richardson.

But Lane Kiffin does not know the shit he just stepped in.

Gator fans are already licking their chops waiting for September 19. If UF knows what is good for them, they will schedule that game against the Vols at 3:30, when the fans are buzzed enough to want to kill without being so drunk they miss a 8:00 kickoff. Kiffin is now facing a collective punch in the face from the most hostile crowd he has ever encountered. He's probably thinking, "Hey! I was with the Raiders! I know hostile!" Oh, no sir. The Florida fans next season expect a 14-0 record, SEC Championship, BCS Championship and total destruction of all foes. Last regular season, Florida won their six most significant games by a collective score of 257-42. It was more than being in Championship Mode. It was pure Hate. Gator fans have embraced this. Even the jackass frat guys who don't wear Gator shirts and match their croakies to their polo are into it. Hate Tour, featuring Tebow, Brandon Spikes and The Major is coming back for a second run.

I can appreciate a little smack talk. Steve Spurrier already laid some on Kiffin and this is just a part of SEC play. Come September 19th, Kiffin will see how far his comment went and he will learn just as Oklahoma did.

[UPDATE] The Godfather, Jeremy Foley, slaps Kiffin around like he was Virgil Sollozzo. I expect Tebow to pop Kiffin and Richardson in an Italian restaurant.

"There was no rule violation and we have confirmed this with Southeastern Conference. It is obvious that Coach Kiffin doesn’t know that there is not a rule precluding phone contact with a prospect during an official visit on another campus during a contact period. His allegations are inappropriate, out of line and, most importantly, totally false. It is completely unfair to Urban Meyer, our coaching staff, our football program and our institution. The appropriate action at this time in my opinion is for Coach Kiffin to make a public apology. His comments not only slandered our coach, but he violated SEC rules by publicly criticizing another coach and institution."

Foley then calmly extended his arms and brought them to his groin, crossing them as he did it.

[UPDATE] Kiffin says sorry.

"At an energetic breakfast with some of our donors and alumni I made a statement that was solely meant to excite the crowd," Kiffin said in a statement.

"If I offended anyone at the University of Florida, including Mr. Foley and Urban Meyer, I sincerely apologize. That was not my intention."

It gets better.

The SEC said that Kiffin broke the conference's code of ethics with his comments at the breakfast.

"Coach Kiffin has violated the Southeastern Conference Code of Ethics," SEC commissioner Mike Slive said in a statement. "SEC Bylaw 10.5.1 clearly states that coaches and administrators shall refrain from directed public criticism of other member institutions, their staffs or players." "The phone call to which Coach Kiffin referred to in his public comments is not a violation of SEC or NCAA rules. We expect our coaches to have an understanding and knowledge of conference and NCAA rules."

No word yet on if Urban Meyer plans to give Kiffin The Georgia Treatment on September 19.

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Split Decisions

Feb 2010 by mlmintampa - 3 comments

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You know, if I were a newcomer to the league, the last two coaches I’d want to piss off are Meyer and Saban. Yet Kiffykins did so in his first couple of months… deliberately. PTSD from Oakland? Or congenital idiocy? (He’s also gone out of his way to vex Miles and Spurrier, two other coaches not exactly known for their forgiving ways.)

by peachy rex on Feb 5, 2009 2:46 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Seems like

you guys are worrying about this a little more than even UT fans are. I think everybody’s pretty sure Kiffin was bringing the whole incident up for humor. I don’t think he ever really meant to follow this, it’s just a funny story. And on the note of insulting other SEC coaches, I figured everyone would like that. It used to be all about the bad blood between Phulmer-Spurrier and now it’s Kiffin-Meyer and Kiffin-Saban. It just adds to all the glory of each win (either by UT, UF, or Bama). Oh, and it’s not that I don’t the swamp isn’t a dangerous place with a vicious crowd, but I think oakland probably is worse. Oakland fans hate everything: the city of oakland, the players that play there, and oxygen. They just love to hate. Or, I guess I should say they hate to hate. Let’s just be real, is all I’m saying. See you September 19!

by samhitch on Feb 5, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Seems like

you’re missing the point. It doesn’t matter what UT fans think about all this. It doesn’t even matter that much what UF and Bama fans think. What does matter is how the UF and Bama coaches and teams take it.

Meyer and Saban wouldn’t have been so successful if they weren’t pathologically competitive, and master motivators in a sport that emphasises psychology. I mean, Meyer made up derogatory quotes by Herbie before playing OSU, just for that little extra edge. And everybody saw last season what the Gators did when their minds were focused on the job. Why would you do his work for him?

by peachy rex on Feb 6, 2009 12:45 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree with....

peachy rex on this one. Add more fuel to the fire of hatred between your two biggest rivals last year were playing for a spot in the national championship and your team lost to Wyoming at home. Florida and Bama are going to stomp Kiffykins and the Superfriends.

by RammerJammer23 on Feb 5, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

edit

…two biggest rivals that were playing for a spot in the national championship last year….

by RammerJammer23 on Feb 5, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

There is a reason why Ron Zook was exiled to Illinois. Mediocrity will not be tolerated.

mlmintampa
UF C/O 06

by mlmintampa on Feb 5, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Or stupidity.

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Feb 5, 2009 8:08 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Or somebody who says “it is correctable and we’re getting better and better” over and over again, and has his football team headed right down the toilet.

by O-town Gator on Feb 6, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Dear FL fans,

here’s to embarrassing UT to the point of tears this coming season.

by brandonh on Feb 5, 2009 3:44 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Blood tears.

Cheers.

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Feb 5, 2009 8:08 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

 I second that. Hell, let’s get it started early – I’d love to see the Rowdy Reptiles start chanting “Kiffin Sucks” on 3/1 if our roundball Gators can get payback in the O-dome!

by O-town Gator on Feb 6, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Cheers to Mike Slive

Slive came out in Meyer’s defense, and the SEC demanded an apology from Kiffin: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3886703

Great way to start off in the SEC. Not only do all of Tennessee’s opponents have a reason to actually try next year, but Kiffin is already on Mike Slive’s naughty list. Plus, Meyer didn’t even do anything wrong:

“The phone call to which Coach Kiffin referred to in his public comments is not a violation of SEC or NCAA rules. We expect our coaches to have an understanding and knowledge of conference and NCAA rules.”

by tbcook on Feb 5, 2009 4:45 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

You posted at the same time I updated. Great minds Timmy.

mlmintampa
UF C/O 06

by mlmintampa on Feb 5, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Kiffen

Kiffen is an absolute moron. I wonder if his daddy has taken him out backed and whipped him yet. The rocky toppers will be very sorry they hired him, if they aren’t already.

And Thompson……they’d better lock up their women in K-ville. Maybe when his soon to be ex-wife gets finished, he won’t have enough salary left to be out whoreing around anymore.

by BAMA1AGAIN on Feb 5, 2009 6:56 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Can we start a Hate Tennessee thread every time they play a game?

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Feb 5, 2009 8:13 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Tuck Fennessee.

by O-town Gator on Feb 6, 2009 4:37 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Bad move

First the promise to beat UF and sing Rocky Top in the Swamp? Now this? I understand he is just trying to fire up the fans, but damn, his players are going to be the ones cashing the check his mouth just wrote.

Well, he just did us a big favor….Meyer’s biggest obstacle this season is going to be keeping this bunch hungry. Coming off a BCS Championship season and with a weak schedule, he’s going to have to dig deep to find some motivation for many of our games. September 19th is no longer a problem. Thanks coach.

Meyer does not joke. He isn’t a personable guy. He is all business. He is short with reporters. His goal is to win championships. He does not like shenanigans. He lets things like this build up and then boil over at the right moment.

UT, if you thought the first 4 years against Meyer were painful, you haven’t seen shit. He didn’t even care about you in the past – you were just another W on the schedule. Kiffin should have found another way to fire up this stale rivalry which has become one-sided since anyone other than Ron Zook was coaching the Gators. Like maybe win a game? Now Urban “gets it” with regard to the hatred we hold for 2 of our top 3 rivals. Now all we gotta do is get Old Man Bowden to piss him off and we’ll really be having fun.

Is that a Zook quote? What does Zook know about championships? Everyone else can relish in the days of their championships from the single-barred facemask days. Enjoy that. As for me, all that counts is the present….and I like the present state of Gator football.

by skigator93 on Feb 5, 2009 10:06 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

As an Auburn fan

I’ve never particularly cared for tennessee, but with the arrival of Kiffin on the scene, and his arrogance (unfounded, might I add) I’m proud to say that I’m now officially a vol-hater.

What do an Auburn fan and a bammer have in common? (Neither of them ever attended u.a.t.).

by AUshorecm on Feb 6, 2009 3:19 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

And so should the rest of the non-UcheaT SEC fanbase.

I hate the Viles with a passion and always will. I equate them at the same bottom-feeding level as the Criminoles.

by O-town Gator on Feb 6, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed.

I don’t understand why tennessee and alabama hate each other so much — they’re very similar (I’m sure I’ll get heckled by the bammers for this, haha). But it’s true.

What do an Auburn fan and a bammer have in common? (Neither of them ever attended u.a.t.).

by AUshorecm on Feb 8, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Kiffin SUCKS and so does ZOOK!!!!

What Kiffin did yesterday was unacceptable, unprofessional and just plain despicable, let alone the fact that be broke an SEC rule.

That so-called “apology” he gave yesterday was insincere and weak; he made an excuse about firing up the crowd just to sweep the matter under the rug. Had he had the nads to admit that what he did was out of line and unbecoming of his position, I wouldn’t have reacted as harshly as I did.

Not only should he admit to Urban Meyer that his behavior was childish and embarrassing, he should do the same to Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier and any other SEC coach whom he’s offended so far.

And Kiffin can take that pusilanimous “apology” of his and shove it straight up his ass.

“Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football.” – Ron Zook "

Screw you too, Zooker. It’s bad enough you coundn’t coach you way out of a perforated paper sack, but this comment shows you don’t know a damn thing about Florida football either. And what is “Illinoise” doing?

by O-town Gator on Feb 6, 2009 9:29 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Sigh...

I’m guessing Kiffin wasn’t briefed on the Cocktail Party last year? As insufferable as Urban Meyer comes across to rival teams, the man knows how to hold a grudge. Safest bet of the year right now may be to take Florida over Tennessee and the points. I don’t care if the spread is 40 points. I’m not betting against a motivated Urban Meyer.

http://hobnailboot.blogspot.com/

by AuditDawg on Feb 6, 2009 1:06 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Let’s just say this: Lanie Boy pissed off the wrong man when he dared to take on Urban Meyer.

Like the line from Glengarry Glen Ross goes: “You NEVER open your mouth, ’til you KNOW what the shot is.”

by O-town Gator on Feb 6, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Dude, you don't have to respond to everything.

We get it, you hate UT and you think Kiffin made a big mistake. Repeating yourself over and over just makes the page load slower.

For those children who claimed they’ve been a fan of their favorite team all their life, or even since they were about four or five years old: bullshit. There’s always that certain event or certain player that draws to the sport and draws you to a team. For me, Nomar Garciaparra was that reason. - Nick Coviello: I Try To See Rocco, But All I Think Is Nomar; 1/9/09

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Feb 6, 2009 7:38 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

It’s called “catharsis”. It’s healthy to vent.

by O-town Gator on Feb 9, 2009 7:47 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

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