Eddie Gran Mulling Offer From FSU

Sources close to Tennessee special teams and running backs coach Eddie Gran tell NoleInsider.com that he is close to accepting an offer to join Jimbo Fisher’s staff at FSU. Eddie Gran, a key member of Tommy Tuberville’s coaching staff at Auburn and Ole Miss for 14 years, spent last season with Lane Kiffin at Tennessee. If he accepts the position, Gran will likely hit the recruiting trail soon for the Seminoles. – NoleInsider.com

Tennessee coaching staff earns $42,400 more than No. 2 team on list

When Lane Kiffin was named Tennessee’s football coach last fall, he pledged to take the Vols to the top of the college football world. In at least one area, he’s succeeded. An examination of college football coaches’ compensation by USA Today reveals that the nine assistant coaches on UT’s staff average a little more than $369,400 per year, making it the highest paid coaching staff in college football. Texas’ staff ranks second at more than $327,000. The USA Today study, part of a three-installment series that begins in today’s editions, also lists Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, Lane Kiffin’s father, as the highest-paid assistant coach with his $1.2 million salary. The senior Kiffin will also receive a $300,000 retention bonus on Dec. 31. – Tennessean

Lane Kiffin Takes Another Shot at Florida Gators

Oh, Lane Kiffin, you are the gift that keeps on giving. The Tennessee coach cannot help himself when it comes to taking shots at the Florida Gators. As if accusing coach Urban Meyer of cheating wasn’t enough. As if saying Meyer was using the flu as an excuse for why the Gators struggled to beat Tennessee 23-13 wasn’t enough. Now comes this gem of a quote, as Tennessee prepares to play Alabama, the No. 1 team in the AP Poll. “I think one poll got it right,” Kiffin said Monday. “If you watch football and pay attention, I don’t think there’s any doubt who the No. 1 team is. Alabama has a great team — very well-coached, extremely talented, great special teams, great on offense, great on defense.” – Orlando Sentinel

Lane Kiffin, Urban Killer?

But whoever believed the Urban-killer would be Lane Kiffin? Yeah, that Lane Kiffin. Yet, that’s what happened the other day in the Swamp and it might have been the most significant development of the year in the SEC. There is another one developing as well: Florida may not even be the best team in the SEC (more on that in a moment). With the whole world watching, Meyer appeared to be a mere mortal Saturday in the most ballyhooed 30-point mismatch in world history since David vs. Goliath. Meyer’s team may have won on the scoreboard. However, Meyer’s biggest loss as a coach may have occurred when he was unable to wipe the smirk off Kiffin’s face. Gator fans cheered in the wake of the victory, but deep down, most probably left the Swamp disappointed and frustrated. Kiffin was the first person CBS wanted to interview after the game. Have you ever seen the loser interviewed first after a college football game? Kiffin just started running his mouth and trotted away happy as a lark. Asked later in the locker room about his famous utterance of singing Rocky Top all night long after beating Florida, Kiffin quipped: “We didn’t hum but I will come back for the basketball game with Bruce,” Kiffin said, referencing Bruce Pearl, the UT basketball coach who has a 7-1 record against Billy Donovan, who also has two national titles in Gainesville. And while Kiffin continued to play his role as the mouth of the South, Meyer was the defensive one. At 45 years old and one of the most feared coaches in the game, he suddenly looked old and over the hill. He parsed words. He acted truculent. He looked like a loser instead of a winner. Was this Meyer’s frustration with himself, his team, the pressure of being unable to grant his fan base their fervent desire to beat Kiffin by 50? Or was it the realization that his football team just ain’t that great? If the mighty Gators had to struggle against mediocre Tennessee, a team that lost the week before to UCLA at home, how are they going to fare in three weeks at Tiger Stadium or against Georgia or against Alabama on the first weekend in December in Atlanta? – Mobile Press-Register

Lane Kiffin Takes Jab at Urban Meyer - Again

It seems Lane Kiffin just can’t help but give his opinion… Responding to earlier comments by Meyer that Tennessee didn’t appear to be playing to win Saturday and that his own team was battling the flu, Kiffin at first said he would not respond. But then, after he was asked whether he was worried about the Volunteers being struck by the flu, he said, “I don’t know. I guess we’ll wait, and after we’re not excited about a performance, we’ll tell you everybody was sick.” Kiffin also said, “This off-season [Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive] made a big deal of renewing vows in terms of what we say about other teams, other coaches and other players. Obviously, Urban feels he doesn’t need to follow that. We won’t say anything else.” – LA Times

Phil Fulmer Still Upset at Tennessee Over Firing

Phil Fulmer was approached by some UT big-wigs, who inquired about the possibility of him running for a state house spot. He says he’s not done coaching. Less than 10 months ago he stepped down as Tennessee’s head coach, but not necessarily willingly. UT fans and administration had become restless, and in early November he agreed to step away at the end of the season. “I’m still PO’d to say the least. There’s probably a couple of people there that I’m not going to invite to Christmas dinner any time soon,” Fulmer said. “I’ve chosen the best I can to take the high road. I really love Tennessee, so let there be no doubt about that. It’s very much a part of me.” – Daytona Beach News-Journal

Phil Fulmer Takes Jab at Lane Kiffin

Now 1-1 after a shellacking of Western Kentucky and Saturday’s home loss to UCLA, Kiffin is about to get the meeting with Meyer and the 2-0 Gators he desires as the SEC on CBS returns for its 2009 debut on Saturday afternoon at the Swamp. “You know everybody has the chance to do things their way,” said Fulmer, who is about to be unveiled as a CBS studio analyst. “We were very pleased with what we were able to accomplish during the majority of our time at Tennessee, and we did it without having to be brash and so on. But this is his style, what he thought he had to do. “We didn’t have a very good season last year. I certainly take full responsibility for that. And now it’s (Kiffin’s) turn to do it as he thinks he needs to do it. But the problem in this league is you’re going to play great football teams every week once you get into the Southeastern Conference schedule. So, if you’re going to be brash, you’d better be able to back it up.” – Gainesville Sun

Lane Kiffin’s Wife Loves Knoxville

Moving to Knoxville has afforded Layla Kiffin something that’s very unusual in the world of football - being near family. “For us to be here with my mom and Lane’s dad and mom is just priceless. It’s very rare in this profession to be with family,” she said. Her brother, David Reaves, is also in Knoxville, working with husband Lane Kiffin as quarterback coach for the University of Tennessee. “I told Lane we better do good because I don’t ever want to leave,” she said. – Knoxville News-Sentinel

Phillip Fulmer Eyeing Louisville Cardinals?

Former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer is multitasking. First, the CBS gig keeps Fulmer busy. Second, it maintains a link to the game he loves. And it keeps him in the public eye while he’s looking for his next job. Fulmer is making no secret that he wants to get back into college coaching if/when the right situation develops. Those closest to him say he has interest in a handful of jobs, some of which could come open after the ‘09 season. Fulmer isn’t alone. Ousted Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville is watching and waiting. Like Fulmer, he’ll be on TV this fall, working as a co-host on ESPNU’s Inside the Polls. The availability of veteran coaches like Fulmer and Tuberville will ratchet up the pressure on at-risk coaches who need strong seasons to keep their jobs. Among the attractive jobs that could be looking for new leadership are Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Virginia, Wisconsin, Colorado, Indiana and Louisville. Of those, Louisville would appear to be the best fit for Fulmer. – Tennessean

Fulmer wants return to coaching

Phillip Fulmer plans to spend this football season working for an investment firm, doing some television work and even taking a few weekends off. By next season, the former Tennessee coach expects to be back on the sideline and back in the spotlight. He’s already spent time at Ohio State and Duke, where his good friend and longtime offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe is now the coach, and plans to drop in on Mack Brown and Texas later this month. – Associated Press

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