Steve Spurrier confronts Lane Kiffin

Lane Kiffin may be the new mouth of the SEC. But Steve Spurrier isn’t going down without a fight. Earlier Tuesday in Destin, Fla., Kiffin was asked if he would apologize again to Florida coach Urban Meyer for accusing him of cheating. Kiffin responded that he had never received an apology from Spurrier after Spurrier questioned whether he had passed the NCAA compliance test before he began calling prospects. Told of Kiffin’s comment late Tuesday, Spurrier shook his head and faced Kiffin, who was waiting for an elevator with a couple other coaches. “I didn’t accuse you of cheating,” Spurrier told Kiffin. “I said, ‘Is it permissible to call recruits before he’s announced as head coach, before you take the test?” Spurrier then turned back toward reporters and told them Kiffin took the test online and was unaware that was allowed. Kiffin’s face turned red during the 40-second exchange and said something that was inaudible. – Birmingham News

Kiffin won’t apologize to SEC coaches

Lane Kiffin didn’t back down or hand out apologies Tuesday before he met his fellow Southeastern Conference football coaches — many of whom he has called out and insulted. The new Tennessee coach and his SEC colleagues gathered in Destin for face-to-face meetings at the annual spring conference. All the coaches individually addressed the media before the sessions began. Meyer said before meeting Kiffin on Tuesday that he expected their first contact to be “professional.” “That’s the way we’re supposed to act in this league,” Meyer added. If Meyer was looking for an apology from Kiffin on Tuesday, there was none forthcoming. Kiffin, who issued a public apology to Meyer and the SEC almost immediately on signing day, said Tuesday that was it. – Atlanta Journal Constitution