Unexpected, unintended consequences for Tenn, USC and Kifflin?

Submitted by michelin on

Regarding Tennessee:

On the surface and in the short term Kifflin’s loss to USC seems to be a terrible thing. But there are a number of reasons why Tenn fans should be happy that Kifflin is leaving.
First, they get rid of:

1. a disloyal, me-first 7-6 coach

2. who embarrassed the university with erroneous public accusations against colleagues

3. who’s likely putting Tenn on probation after only one year as HC

4. who they might need to get rid of anyway before long and after he’s caused even more serious damage to their program, both with regard to the NCAA and their public image.

On top—or should I say rocky-top?—of that, Tenn will get an $800,000 payout from Kifflin.**

Granted, Kifflin’s loss will hurt recruiting.* In regard to their public image, it also gives Tenn a black eye. But black eyes heal over time if you get rid of the guy who’s been punching you.

Regarding Kifflin:

His ascension to USC HC may seem to be a wonderful thing for him. However,

1. USC will soon be on probation, I think for major violations—Carroll’s timely departure is probably no accident.

2. If the program deteriorates—perhaps not instantly but gradually--as would be expected under NCAA sanctions, then Kifflin will be blamed—big time.

3. He solidifies a growing reputation of being a first-rate jerk and will be vilified in the press after not only leaving Tenn after one year, a couple of weeks before NSD, but also trying to steal Tenn recruits by having his coordinator call players and tell them not to attend class (a pretty outrageous act which should but may not be examined by the NCAA).

4. His reputation as a con-artist rivaled only perhaps by Bernie Madoff, will not help USC recruiting in the long run, no matter how many current advantages he will have at USC (As a parent, would you want your kid to learn values from this guy, on a team already under an NCAA cloud, which has just lost the coach who brought them all the recent victories?)

Regarding USC, the downside would be largely a repeat of the previous 4 points. In addition, they will now have a coach who, on a whim, is more likely to pull a repeat of the Pete Carroll departure than even Pete Carroll himself. That may not sit well with recruits and their parents either. On top of that, even existing players may find themselves needing to take anti-nausea medication to work with this guy. that, I suspect, will lead to transfers.

In summary, it's one thing to say that anybody has the right to act in his own self-interest when given a new opportunity, especially if one's employer has broken his commitments. Every coach must leave eventually. Yet, it's another thing to go around accusing other coaches of doing what you're doing yourself (violating NCAA rules) then violate commitments made to players, coaches,and the school after one year, during which you've run the program into the ground.

I am far from being a Tenn fan, but if I were, I'd say: "good riddance."

*NOTE: The loss of multiple firm commitments has already dropped Tenn about ten places or so in the Scout rankings—incidentally, UM is now again in the top ten, without having signed any new recruits recently.

**Not the previously reported 8 million as per correction below of AMaizinBlue--THX.

cjm

January 13th, 2010 at 2:34 PM ^

In regard to their public image, it also gives Tenn a black eye. But black eyes heal over time if you get rid of the guy who’s been punching you. >

Funny +1

EDIT: I thought I did it right to get the text box/block. Sorry for my incompetence.

michelin

January 13th, 2010 at 2:57 PM ^

I think I heard the 8 million figure, but the link below indicates that it (actually 7.5 million) would be paid Kifflin if he were fired. So, my buyout figures (800,000 vs 8 million to or from Kifflin) were reversed.

In any case, check out the link below--all the Oakland raiders controversies and criticisms of other coaches as well as Kifflin's NCAA violations and slurs--- if you want to read more about the exceptional guy USC is getting (sarcasm intended) !!!

In the end, Tenn may conclude that they would have paid somebody just to get rid of this guy--and that the 800,000 is just icing on the cake.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lane_Kiffin

ijohnb

January 13th, 2010 at 3:09 PM ^

1. Tennessee wanted Kiffin out ASAP and he was essentially fired, or
2. The allegations against USC are not as serious as thought and will not result in the type of sanctions that will deterioate a program.

As dumb, really dumb, as Kiffin appears to be, I don't see any possible way that he would leave Tennessee with a kickass class coming in and off a return to bowl-country for a USC program going on probation for serious violations. Especially when he has connections inside and around the USC progran that could advise him as to the seriousness of the USC investigation. My guess, Kiffin's conduct at Tennessee was worse than thought, he was on his way out anyway, his conduct and actions have resulted in nothing less than being black balled in SEC country and elsewhere. USC was about the be his only option and he knows it. Biggest Loser - The Trojans.

michelin

January 13th, 2010 at 3:39 PM ^

my formatting disappeared in an edit

and even when I redo the document and re-paste it now, the formatting still does not appear.

Any suggestions?