SEC Recruiting As a Blood Sport

by srr50 on Feb 5, 2009 2:56 PM CST in Recruiting

As if having Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Les Miles, Steve Spurrier, Bobby Petrino and Houston Nutt wasn't enough, it appears that the SEC has yet another wild card in play. Tennessee's new coach, Lane Kiffin added fuel to the off-season fire today at a breakfast to celebrate his first recruiting class. Kiffin crows about stealing a recruit from Florida, while also accusing Meyer of cheating.

Kiffin accused Meyer of violating recruiting rules in the battle between the two schools over wide receiver Nu'Keese Richardson. Kiffin told a group of fans at the signing day celebration that Meyer had phoned Richardson repeatedly while the recruit was on his official visit at Tennessee.

I'm gonna turn Florida in right here in front of you," Kiffin said. I love the fact that Urban had to cheat and still didn't get him."

Richardson had committed to Florida last May, but signed with Tennessee yesterday.

Urban Meyer suddenly realizes that SEC Media Day will once again be a pain in the ass to attend.

Now Lane may have been just a little bit too giddy in his delight over his getting Richardson to switch. Phoning a recruit while on a campus visit elsewhere is not a violation. Tennessee has already announced that they have no intention of turning Florida in.

As for the Gators, well they responded quickly as well. The Gator AD Jeremy Foley released a statement saying, His allegations are inappropriate, out of line and, most importantly, totally false. It is completely unfair to Urban Meyer, our coaching staff, our football program and our institution. The appropriate action at this time in my opinion is for Coach Kiffin to make a public apology.

Let the good times roll.

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There’s a reason major programs rarely hire unproven 33-year-olds to coach their football teams.

Have fun taking Jonathan Crompton against Brandon Spikes in Gainesville next year, kid. Good luck with that.

by Texas_Dawg on Feb 5, 2009 3:09 PM CST reply actions

As they say in hockey, Game on!!

by Bob in Houston on Feb 5, 2009 3:22 PM CST reply actions

Is this even a recruiting violation anyway?

by Texas_Dawg on Feb 5, 2009 3:26 PM CST reply actions

the SEC is vicious. talking smack before you’ve ever played a game. dumbass.

by drankthewine on Feb 5, 2009 3:32 PM CST reply actions

Awesome:

Mike Slive said that not only was Meyer not in violation of any rules/regulations, but Kiffin himself was in violation of the SEC Code of Ethics that coaches must adhere to, and he cited the specific rule. Basically, member coaches cannot publically criticize, demean, make allegations, etc. against other member institutions, teams, coaches, or players.

FAIL.

by Texas_Dawg on Feb 5, 2009 3:49 PM CST reply actions

Sounds like Signing Day ’09 was a banner day at the Kiffin/Orgeron household.

by Texas_Dawg on Feb 5, 2009 3:55 PM CST reply actions

Then Kiffin tells the kid to keep up the act with UF as if he was going to sign with the Gators. That does sound familiar.

by 8straight on Feb 5, 2009 3:56 PM CST reply actions

It sure does.

by Tommie Harris on Feb 5, 2009 4:36 PM CST reply actions

I was just dropping a line to let him know the wire transfer had gone through.

by Urban Meyer on Feb 5, 2009 4:46 PM CST reply actions

(Lane Kiffin enters press conference)
“Sorry I’m late guys… I was out nailing Urban Meyer’s wife. Or was it his mother? No wait, it was his wife. His mother is the one I have to pay. Haha. Man, what whores. Anyway, where were we?”

by Lane Kiffin on Feb 5, 2009 5:36 PM CST reply actions

The Lane Kiffin experiment at Tenn is either going to produce like 4 MNC’s or it is going to be a complete and total failure. His program management technique is so volatile that there really is no in between.

by Newy25 on Feb 5, 2009 7:03 PM CST reply actions

Nu’Keese?

by JUICE on Feb 6, 2009 9:57 AM CST reply actions

TennStud a.k.a. Roy Adams (owner of the legendary Memphis Showboats) – well known money man back in the good ole days – who jerked the chains of the Alabama crowd and his once good friend the late great Logan Young…