Lane Kiffin’s farewell press conference in Knoxville was a bizarre scene, starting 30 minutes late and lasting barely 60 seconds (:66!). He thanked no UT-related personnel by name and took no questions.
(”Go Home Traitor! It’s Time.”)
Just outside the media room was this angry throng of students with a sign that read, “Go home traitor! It’s time.“
The KNOXVILLE NEWS-SENTINEL reports:
Dozens of students and fans marched into the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex on Tuesday night chanting obscenities at Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin, who was informing his players about his departure to Southern California.
The crowd then moved to an office area where an impromptu press conference was being held for Kiffin.
Police were called to quell the crowd, which calmed down once officers arrived.
The crowd eventually became rowdy and were asked to disperse without incident.
At least one obscene sign has already popped up on the UT-Knoxville campus. Photo after the jump.
The abrupt presser was an ugly, classless move by Kiffin.
Though I can’t say anyone is surprised by Kiffin’s disrespectful departure.
And I’ll wager there’s a good many UT fans who are none to upset tonight. More relieved.
UPDATE: A source tells me tonight that Ed Orgeron is already contacting Tennessee commits about coming to USC.
10:33 pm on January 12th, 2010
Next year he will leave USC and take the head coaching job for The New York Giants. The part that pisses me off the most is that for such an arrogant douchebag, he has a hot ass wife, beautiful kids and makes a shitload of money. Yes kids, you too can be successful in life by being a douchebag.
10:49 pm on January 12th, 2010
Wow…what a douchebag
10:51 pm on January 12th, 2010
I agree that this is upsetting; especially to kids he leaves behind. But I can think of no one that would not accept a better job for more money!!!
10:51 pm on January 12th, 2010
How glorious! I love the taste of Tenn fans tears!
10:52 pm on January 12th, 2010
Lane Kiffin has only been on the job about three months, but columnist Paul Finebaum has seen enough. He thinks Tennessee should cut its losses and fire Kiffin immediately, before he destroys America.
11:15 pm on January 12th, 2010
They have a full blown riot going on. Cops are tossing tear gas to break up the crowd.
11:25 pm on January 12th, 2010
check this kids twitter:
http://twitter.com/Swiperboy
11:34 pm on January 12th, 2010
Lane kiffin is a dick, geez thats our new coach?
what a dick,..he screwed the Vol’s…why would USC want a jerk like that..I hope he fails miserably…I mean real bad
11:39 pm on January 12th, 2010
F*** Lane Kiffin
I hope he f***ing fails…you dont do this to a team, leave after one year..f*** this guy.
11:40 pm on January 12th, 2010
@ Eric
YOU said…and yes it deserves to be said again
The part that pisses me off the most is that for such an arrogant douchebag, he has a hot ass wife, beautiful kids and makes a shitload of money. Yes kids, you too can be successful in life by being a douchebag.
That sums it up.
11:44 pm on January 12th, 2010
USC Student Fan, you are an idiot. They want a “jerk” like that because his staff will win games. So good luck with your wish of him failing miserably. It was a good hire for USC especially with Norm Chow as OC.
11:49 pm on January 12th, 2010
Well, Urban Meyer must’ve had his number all along. I’d hope the NCAA gets some balls and sanctions USC for 2-3 years and shuts his clown ass down.
But with Norm Chow coming over from UCLA, I gotta think they know that no sanctions are forthcoming…. Wow….
Let’s hope Brooks get some new pics of Layna….Toga party!
11:56 pm on January 12th, 2010
Kiffin was never going to win a title in the top conference in the country, The SMC (Saban-Meyer Conference)
He does carry all the credentials to be the Head Coach of USC
Young, good looking, with attractive wife. The assistants will do the rest of the work, they always do! Look they are hiring all of Pete’s Championship Assistants.
Be looking for the new series from Ryan Seacrest “Life with the Kiffins”
Tennessee let me give you 1 name for your next head coach “Leach” that would make for a fun SEC.
Besides he has a great disciplinary program, and we know you need it. Hire Leach and order the sheds!
12:02 am on January 13th, 2010
sorry, still stunned by this one… my typo - Layla.
Dave - “Real Housewives of USC” and maybe Pete’s grad student is still available for a LA style 3 way……..
12:18 am on January 13th, 2010
We at TN are very happy this tumor left Knoxville.
He is USC’s problem now. You should have pointed out Brooks, that Kiffin is USC’s FOURTH CHOICE after Del Rio, Jeff Fisher and another guy turned USC down.
Happy NCAA sanctions, USC.
12:24 am on January 13th, 2010
Lane Kiffin is proof that you can fail upwards.
My prediction? USC will go winless next season in the Pac Ten.
Winless.
12:30 am on January 13th, 2010
I think losing Meyer was just too much for him.
12:49 am on January 13th, 2010
not sure what you’re talking about Bruce. As a UT alum, we loved the energy Lane brought to the university. its a total douche move on his part, but we’re pissed he’s leaving. A good thing was starting. recruits were on their way.
1:07 am on January 13th, 2010
If Orgeron is already contact Tenn commits, isn’t there a violation brewing here?
At a minimum this is very unethical.
1:28 am on January 13th, 2010
“If Orgeron is already contact Tenn commits, isn’t there a violation brewing here?”
Technically no since school hasn’t started.
4:21 am on January 13th, 2010
Has got to be getting pretty close for the Jon Gruden speculation to begin, I guess the big orange Loomis Fargo truck should be getting gassed up to roll up to someones door………..
4:34 am on January 13th, 2010
HaHa if you guys (Tenn) dont want him then why are you all so pissed? Have fun in the sec playing tough non-conference games against Charleston-Southern.
5:51 am on January 13th, 2010
Hey Vol fans in the long run you guys will be better off without this nutt ball. If any of your recruits leave and follow Lame Kiffin. They deserve to fail at USC with him.
As an Auburn fan I know how this kind of thing feels ie: Terry Bowden in ‘98 and last year Tommy Tuberville. But we have a great coach and a great staff. You’ll get the same soon enough. Good luck and keep your heads up. And bama fans layoff you’ve been there before and you could be there again if Saban was to leave you. Show some class - this is terrible what Kiffin did these players and Vol fans. In the end we are all SEC family.
War Eagle!
12:34 pm on January 13th, 2010
Looks like the Tennessee legislature has weighed in, deciding to axe their traditional end-of-season congratulatory message to the coach.
“Republican House Speaker Kent Williams of Elizabethton on Wednesday asked members of the chamber to hold a voice vote on whether to congratulate Lane Kiffin for his year of service in charge of the Volunteers.
The response? A unanimous: “No!”
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2010/jan/13/tennessee-lawmakers-ax-kiffin-resolution-mock-vote/
12:34 pm on January 13th, 2010
From the Tennessee Legislature, which traditionally gives an end-of-season vote of thanks to the UT coach for his services:
“Republican House Speaker Kent Williams of Elizabethton on Wednesday asked members of the chamber to hold a voice vote on whether to congratulate Lane Kiffin for his year of service in charge of the Volunteers.
The response? A unanimous: “No!”"
Source: Chattanooga Times-Free Press, Jan. 13, 2009.
3:38 pm on January 13th, 2010
Kiffin’s another glorified used car salesman. He would throw his mother under the bus for a 5 star recruit. Hatred seems to follow Kiffin wherever he goes. Orgeron was the significant loss, considered one of the top recruiters in the country.