Kiffin: a deluge of criticism on ESPN

The two shows are: (1) Around the Horn and (2) Pardon the Interruption.

Sams' gut has already talked to Parker and seems to think we are in the drivers seat.

Desmond's "slam dunk hire" comment that much more...peculiar.

ESPN just debated Orgeron calling UT recruits, although Kiffinkins said he would not actively contact them. Orgeron claims he was just updating them, but who knows.

Listening to that group of know-nothings squeal like a pack of monkeys probably improves Kiffin's stock in the eyes of most folks. If this is such a stupid hire and this guy is so incompetent and so dirty and the NCAA hammer is coming we will find out soon enough. I've learned over the years though that the people who shout the loudest do so for a reason (it ain't because they have the best argument).

Kiffin may very well be the best villain since Hollywood Hogan. You can't stand him, but you also can't get enough of him.

Jealousy - pure and simple. What has Lane Kiffin done that others wouldn't have? Nothing. At 34, he's already been an offensive coordinator and position coach at one of the all-time top programs in college football, during one of it's most successful runs. He's been an NFL coach, and he has coached at one of the better programs in the SEC. Not bad, that's more than most of us can say. Has he deserved those positions. One: It's irrelevant! Two: One can make the argument that he has. Lets look at the irrelevant factor first. Let me ask a simple question, if you had been a collegiate assistant for less,than a decade, having served no higher than as an offensive coordinator, and an NFL team (albeit the Raiders) wanted to hire you as their head coach and significantly increase your pay - you'd take that job every time it was offered. He saw an opportunity to move up to the next level both in job and environment, increase his pay, and stay in the same state he'd lived in for quite some time. Smart move on his part (except it's the Raiders). Having one 15 games in the previous 5 seasons before he arrived, he did no worse than Norv Turner, Bill Callahan and Art Shell. Keep in mind, Norv Turner has the Chargers as one of the best teams in the NFL, and Art Shell had a successful run in his first stint with the Raiders. So its a hellish job. Then Tennessee came to hire him. He was the anti-Phil Fulmer, who had seen the program slip in the previous four years (including two losing seasons). He was energetic, and a great recruiter. Now, let's make an important point here - RECRUITING IS ESSENTIAL TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE COACH!! In fact, it might be more important at that level than X's and O's. (Why do you think so many small college coaches fail when they move up). And in the SEC, if you can't recruit, Florida and Alabama and LSU will eat you alive, particularly when your state isn't loaded with talent (compared to Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, etc). He ran a successful offense at USC (something Fulmer didn't have unless he had Cutcliffe as OC or Peyton under center) and recruited well. Perfect fit, he took it. You would have too. Then USC comes calling. If USC was his dream job, and it is one of the best jobs in the country, you'd take it too. You get more money, to coach at a more successful program, where you were once an assistant, and you spent much of the last fifteen years in California, where there is more instate talent, and an easier conference schedule (WSU, UW, UCLA), you take that job. As for what he's done. Well, apparently we saw the success of the USC offense when he was and wasn't there. Pretty good job. The WR he's coached have been pretty good. He obviously knows how to interview to get these coaching jobs. He's impressed the right people to get the recommendations he's received, and his actually coaching hasn't been any worse than those who proceeded him. Besides, he took over the Raiders - who can win there (worse than the Lions), and instantly improved Tennessee (both in wins and recruits). As for the USC job and their upcoming punishment from the NCAA. Let's look at three of the stiffest penalties in the last ten years in collegiate athletics. Baylor basketball (with no non-conference schedule for two years): That tale was so sordid I can't even distinguish between what is real and what isn't. Michigan basketball - most of the penalties were self imposed and done so very harshly to prevent further sanctions. The Ed Martin scandal was so widespread and involved so many and so embarrassing, we are lucky it wasn't worse. Alabama football: harsh sanctions that they had started to recover from under Shula, and the affects were gone by the time Saban arrived. But key here, this was there second or third major series of infractions in about ten years. USC hasn't already been nailed by the NCAA. Plus, death penalties CANNOT happen any more. With almost every game televised, harshly punishing USC hurts all their opponents as well, particularly the Pac 10. Finally, all Lane Kiffin has done to the kids is teach them a lesson in life. When opportunity knocks, you answer the door. You have goals and you move in such a way to get them. Hey, is anyone at Tennessee cursing Eric Kelly (S) for leaving early? What about his teammates they should ask? What about the fact that for three years he's received a free education. His goal is the NFL, he's good enough now, he's gone. At least Lane Kiffin didn't lie to his players for weeks telling them he wasn't leaving for another school, and then leaves for that school (Brian Kelly). It has been less than seven days since the job at USC came open to the time he accepted. At least he didn't lie to their faces and then bolt. I respect him much more than Brian Kelly and other coaches who've done that (like Nick Satan ... er, Saban). (yes, some of these are points Colin Cowherd and others have made. This might be the first time I've ever agreed with Colin ... scary).