Tennessee Vols: Lane Kiffin Tried To Do The Right Thing

Former Tennessee Vols head coach Lane Kiffin recently talked about his last day at UT.

Before we get too far into this, I don’t think Lane Kiffin is going to be the next head coach of the Tennessee Vols.

That ship has obviously sailed, due to his “messy” departure from Tennessee.

Speaking of that departure, Kiffin recently spoke to 104.5 in Nashville about his last day at UT.

We all know the story quite well, Pete Carroll was hired by the Seattle Seahawks and USC decided to poach Kiffin from Tennessee.

Typically when a coach leaves a school for a new job, there is no exit press conference. They just leave.

Kiffin, however, tried to do things a little different. His last interaction with the media is now infamous.

Kiffin told 104.5 that he felt like he owed the Tennessee media and fans an explanation for why he was leaving for USC.

When Kiffin was asked if he would’ve done anything different that night, he basically said no.

And honestly, what could he have done different? USC was a great job and it was “home” for Kiffin. I don’t see how anyone can fault him for making the choice he made.

Kiffin clearly tried to be respectful when he left. The fact that he was willing to face the media, even if it was just to make a statement, was more than most coaches would do.

By the way, Kiffin was again asked about his interest in the Tennessee job if Butch Jones gets fired. He responded with his typical “you know I’m not going there” (the question, not Knoxville).

I think it’s obvious that Kiffin would love a second chance in Knoxville, but there’s no way it happens.