Earlier today at a “recruiting celebration banquet,” Tennessee’s first year coach Lane Kiffin had a few choice words about Urban Meyer and he wasn’t congratulating the coach on his recent BCS championship.
Florida and Tennessee had been in a recruiting battle for Pahokee, Fla. wide receiver Nu’Keese Richardson. Richardson had originally “committed” to Florida, but he signed a letter of intent yesterday to play ball at Tennessee.
Apparently while Richardson was on an official visit to Knoxville, Meyer was calling him repeatedly. Which is an NCAA violation … not that it really matters since those paper tigers at the NCAA won’t do shit to a program that’s bringing in the big bucks like Florida does. (see: Bush, Reggie and Bomar, Rhett)
In case you don’t want to listen in, here is Kiffin’s comment:
“I’m gonna turn Florida in right here in front of you,” Kiffin told the crowd at the Knoxville Convention Center. “While Nu’Keese was on campus, his phone kept ringing. One of the coaches says, ‘who’s that?’ And he said, Urban Meyer.”
It’s always fun to take a shot at a rival … but when you’re a first year coach at a University that hasn’t really been relevant in the six or seven years, taking said shot at the current National Champions requires some cojones. Well played, sir.
Note: This is one of those videos that starts without you ever hitting play. I hate them and apologize. At least the mute is set, so it won’t come blasting out at you. Hit the volume button to hear Kiffin’s comments.
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I live in Knoxville and loved Kiffin’s remarks, but then this happened:
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/feb/05/kiffin-gets-reprimand-sec-apologizes-florida-after/
Well played, if his purpose was to make himself look like an idiot. And you took his statement that it was an NCAA violation, and made it your own. Well played, indeed. When will you be issuing your retraction?