When Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin addressed the Memphis QB Club on Monday night, he didn't act like someone who is afraid of the outcome of a potential NCAA investigation. As usual, Kiffin charmed the crowd and sported his normal bravado to Memphis Vols fans.
Thanks to "Mike Hamiliton" on Volsbitch.com for providing a transcript of the nights high-notes.
The night started with some guy from South Carolina ripping Lane for all the bad stuff in the media from the 2 reprimands, the alleged pumping gas comments towards Alshon Jeffrey, the Pilot gas station attempted robbery and the use of recruiting hostesses.
Lane gets up and first thing he says "It was actually 7 violations, not six, don't short me." Not exact quote, but something along those lines.
He talked about Dan Willimas was too fat and slow when he got there and how he is now going to be a 1st round draft pick. Talked about a lot of senior leaders leaving, even Eric Berry. As for next year's QB he said that there were 4 guys, two currentely there and two coming in at midterm to compete. He talked about developing Crompton and how you can't listen to what the public wants you to do.
Former Mississippi State head football coach Jakie Sherril was there and he said the best coaches get the most reprimands. Lane said he was just trying to chase his record.
Lane didn't allow the South Carolina fan to ask anymore questions because he had roasted him. But said the next time we're up by 2 touchdowns in the 4th quarter against South Carolina that we were going to keep going-deep thanks to you.
He said when he took the job and was watching film on Florida that the players looked scared. So he said he had to do something to get their backs and started taking shots at Urban, etc. That way the team wouldn't go to the swamp just to play them close, but to actually go in and win.
Right now it looks like the weak spot on next year's team will be the offensive line, but that he's not too worried because he saw how well the coaches developed the line this year. This year, UT led the conference in sacks allowed with 12.
He said to expect anywhere between 10-12 midterm enrollees and from the sound of it there may be some surprises. Kiffin also said that someone was flying into Memphis to interview for the vacant Running Backs coach position while he was in town.
