Most of my readers are always focused on the gaps in Tennessee football after this slight setback against Vanderbilt.
But one of my literary contributors painted with a broader brush, tackling all UT sports.
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Another couldn’t help but pick on a former Tennessee coach — a winning coach, in fact. How dare he question Lane Kiffin’s integrity.
Mike writes: As various sports analysts weigh whether Kiffin should have been allowed to coach Ole Mademoiselle As the playoffs go on, I wonder why they all seem to overlook what happened just a few years ago.
After Kiffin accepted the head coaching position at Florida AtlanticAlabama was willing to let Kiffin continue coaching at Bama as offensive coordinator. Ultimately, however, they had to let him go because he continued to focus on his new job rather than fulfilling his responsibilities at Alabama.
Based on that, why would anyone let Kiffin continue coaching after taking another job? He lacked the integrity to do what he said he would do.
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My response: Kiffin has spoken extensively about his personal transformation during his time at Ole Miss. He apparently eats less and prays more.
Good for him.
He may have changed significantly between his year at Tennessee and his six years at Ole Miss. But Kiffin always puts Kiffin first. And the team he coaches comes far behind.
Steve writes: After reading your columns for many, many years, I still appreciate your honest assessment of Tennessee’s athletic programs.
However, I don’t think you place enough blame on the head of the football program, as the boss of the defensive coordinator and primary play caller on offense.
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My point is that our defense is not our only problem. We weren’t prepared for the Vandy game or the Oklahoma game, and that’s not acceptable.
My response: Heupel needs to make changes or his coaching position will be hot next season.
He improved his offense after the 2024 season. Now it’s crucial he does something for the defense – coordinator Tim Banks was fired December 8 – and be more aggressive in the transfer portal.
Colorado Mark writes: How long will this CFP Committee clown show last? This will end up being a 24-team playoff and why?
Money, money, money.
The decision has already been made, by whom, is the real question, probably the same handful of people who created NIL and the transfer portal, and again I ask, who is really running big league college football? Who are the real decision-makers? All the committee is doing is creating validation for the 24-team playoff.
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The stage is set, the additional income is calculated, let’s go on the 24th. The next question will be: are we going to milk this cash cow until it collapses?
My response: Who runs big boys college football? You answered your own question in the first paragraph: Clowns.
Chris writes: Again, overall Josh Heupel does a good job but places heavy emphasis on GOOD. He’s just not the coach to get Tennessee to the elite level.
But that’s kind of what UT is in all sports now. Just good. With all its resources – facilities, money (a lot of money) – GOOD it just sucks.
This is the reality of sports in Tennessee. And we all better get used to it.
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My response: Most Tennessee fans would have settled for GOOD when Vanderbilt knocked the Vols out of their own stadium in the second half on November 29.
Dave writes: New “portal” players who have been on other teams have no skin in the game and no pride as volunteers. Vanderbilt didn’t have a better team. Their players simply had more pride and effort as the match results confirmed.
My response: The “pride of volunteers” could have left the building. But I think Vanderbilt is a better team.
I just didn’t think it was enough to win at Neyland Stadium. I was wrong.
Glenn writes: I wonder how Tony Vitello will be received by major league players playing for a manager who never played or coached in the majors before managing them.
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I think managing a major league team is a lot harder than managing a college team. It will be interesting to see how it goes for him, although we wish him the best.
My response: Vitello is an excellent communicator with good interpersonal skills. He will adapt to another level of baseball.
I guess the pros will enjoy playing for him, as will the college players.
John Adams is a senior chronicler. He can be contacted at 865-342-6284 or [email protected].
This article originally appeared on the Knoxville News Sentinel: Josh Heupel, Lane Kiffin and Tony Vitello on the minds of Tennessee fans
