Kiffin Car Accident Story Much Ado About Nothing
by Joey Kaufman on Jan 20, 2010 4:27 PM PST
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PrintOver the past 14 months, Lane Kiffin has been in the news quite often. From his hiring at Tennessee, to his comments regarding Florida's Urban Meyer, and to his most recent decision to leave Knoxville to replace Pete Carroll at USC, the name "Lane Kiffin" has remained one of the most popular searches on google in recent months. This week is no exception, as the latest story regarding the young coach revolves around a traffic accident that took place more than a year ago:
Lane Kiffin was behind the wheel of his leased Lexus in August when, the coach said, he fell asleep and crashed the car, a high-ranking University of Tennessee official confirmed to ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach on Tuesday.
Also, Kiffin told athletic director Mike Hamilton that he had been at the football complex for a late meeting that night and said that he was heading home when he got into the accident, according to the source.
Kiffin walked home from the scene of the wreck, a high-ranking Tennessee source told ESPN's Dwayne Bray.
Despite the fact that this accident took place about five months ago, Kiffin continues to receive a great deal of flak from Volunteer fans and media members regarding the reported incident. In reality, it's rather unfair.
First off, Kiffin does need to take full responsibility for the incident. In this situation, as the driver, there is nobody to blame but himself. He was driving home tired in the early hours of the morning so it is more than reasonable to expect trouble to ensue. He screwed up and that is that.
But in the meanwhile, the rumor mongering and the defamation of his character need to end. It's childish, immature, and flat out irresponsible. Despite the various internet reports that Kiffin had been drinking and was with female students at the time of the accident last summer, there has yet to be any substantial evidence that supports such claims. Even Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton told the media that they "were never able to substantiate any of that."
So why press the issue further?
Over the past few days, there have been plenty of people out there who have continued to use this situation as an opportunity to criticize Kiffin's abilities as a collegiate head coach. In actuality, the two have little to no correlation.
How does the fact that Kiffin got into a one-car accident last summer have any determination on whether he will be successful here at 'SC. At the very least, the primary reason he wrecked the leased Lexus to begin with was due to the fact that he was driving after spending extra hours at work. He wasn't drunk or under the influence of any sort of drug. He was simply spending extra time doing his job. While it is somewhat irresponsible to drive so late, his effort and intentions as a football coach are commendable.
Wouldn't you prefer your head coach to be putting in those extra hours anyway?
It's unfortunate this situation happened, nobody wants to get in an automobile wreck, but this does not necessarily mean that Kiffin is a failure as a head coach or a bad guy. Based on the facts presented, he crashed the car, because he was tired after a long day at the office. Nothing more and nothing less. Now, let's close the book and move on.
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I mostly agree
except that driving tired is the near equivelent of driving drunk. Your reaction times & judgement are impaired and sometimes non-existant (especially if you’re asleep). I had a friend who was in a pretty bad car accident because the other driver fell asleep and crossed the street meridian & hit my friend head on. Thankfully, my friend was wearing his seatbelt. The other guy? Not so much. He was ejected through his windshield and suffered severe head tramua (not to mention bodily trama).
Still, glad no one was seriously hurt in this accident, so it’s all good, right? Imagine the liability both Kiffin & the Uni of Tenn would have had….
Kiffen crash?
No accident report filed with Tn. hwy patrol, nor Knoxville P.D. or Knox county Sheriff. Move along people…. no story here. WTF?? Failure to report an acident, nothing to report???? U$C picked a real winner.
Who cares?
The best you’ve got is Lane Kiffin was in a traffic accident with no injuries and his insurance paid for it? But I guess we all strive for the ethics of Alabama.
Kiffin at USC is your worst nightmare, Bama
Enjoy your 1-time BCS anomaly. Better focus more on your recruits, and less on Victory Lane the wunderkind.
Hypocritical Hillbillies
This happened 5 months ago. No news.
Now that he’s left Tennessee, and by the looks of the way the SEC tries to slander the guy, I’d say he’s made the best choice since Madame Curie decided to cure polio.
Then they try to circulate a photo and label it as Kiffin fraternizing with COEDs, when in fact, it is Kiffin, his wife and two of his staff members. Sports by Brooks uncovered the truth here: LOL at TN.
The SEC honks and specifically the Tenn folks really need to move on. They are acting like 5-year olds. And the longer they act this way, I’m going to start questioning the in-breeding factor.
To be fair to the hillbillies, that photo was circulated back in April
And denounced by RTT’s rednecks. In fact, we were the first to post on that.
And yes, Virginia, the hicks have moved on. At least some of us have; as with any fanbase, there is always a distribution of reactions.
As for the rest of the rumors, RTT is steering clear of the whole mess unless something of actual merit comes out.
But feel free to continue the backwater strawman. After all, we have a new favorite song. Well, second favorite to this one, naturally.
by David Hooper on Jan 20, 2010 8:23 PM PST up reply actions
RTT is NOT the problem..
its all the weirdos from GVX and such.
I have great respect for RTT..you guys have pretty much kept a level head.
You and Joel and the rest of RTT are the model of how handle a bad situation with class!
Oh, I know. That was meant to be as much humor as a little frustration.
Kiffin, if nothing else, is polarizing. And that’ll continue for a long time. And I wholeheartedly agree about GVX, et al. There is a lot of mouth-breathing going on. In L.A., you have the Lakers, Kings, two major schools, and a lot else to keep your entertainment and local pride humming. In Knoxville, it’s football first, last, and always. I’m frustrated at a lot of the local response as well. (Though the sewage treatment plant re-naming idea is really funny, even if it really needs to not happen.)
so.cal: GVX = Go Vols Xtra, the sports wing of the Knoxville News-Sentinal. www.govolsxtra.com. Their message board is overrun by rival trolls and UT kneejerkers.
by David Hooper on Jan 21, 2010 12:52 PM PST up reply actions
Very interesting, GVX has same ethos as the PatheticNation (or BN), actually eerily similar.
¡Fusílenlo, después veriguamos! - Pancho Villa
by Locoweed 1.1 on Jan 21, 2010 1:28 PM PST up reply actions
heh
¡Fusílenlo, después veriguamos! - Pancho Villa
by Locoweed 1.1 on Jan 21, 2010 2:10 PM PST up reply actions
There are rumors
That he was partying with coeds and drinking before the accident and that it was covered up by Kiffin. Thats the only reason why this is a story.
Do these Hicks have nothing else to whine about…these sanctimonious putz’s act as though the live in the Bible Belt, then allow such questionable activity by students with vitriol and vulgarity…I suppose this is what University is all about nowadays at least at Tennessee. So whada’ ya expect from Appalachian Upstarts?
Since when has any SEC school not been about their football program? (Excluding Vandy)
But given the way the last few years have gone on the Hill, UT probably wouldn’t mind being upstarts right now. it’s been a while since they’ve had a true dynasty.
by David Hooper on Jan 21, 2010 12:53 PM PST up reply actions
But, like all things internet, not as cool in person. ;-)
Thanks, though.
And seriously, other than actual news, RTT is staying out of the Lane Kiffin drama from here forward. You all and the UCLA bunch can hash that out amongst yourselves all you like. :-)
by David Hooper on Jan 21, 2010 2:38 PM PST up reply actions
By the way, if you're interested in history,
look up what the Ivy Leaguers used to do when their team lost. (Way back in the day when football consisted of Yale, Harvard, and Princeton.) When you have to line-item for vandalism repair in your school’s budget requests…
by David Hooper on Jan 21, 2010 2:40 PM PST up reply actions
I don't think . . .
. . . you can reconcile this statement:
Despite the various internet reports that Kiffin had been drinking and was with female students at the time of the accident last summer, there has yet to be any substantial evidence that supports such claims
. . . with this one:
[H]e wrecked the leased Lexus to begin with was due to the fact that he was driving after spending extra hours at work. He wasn’t drunk or under the influence of any sort of drug. He was simply spending extra time doing his job.
You’re right that there is no direct evidence that he was drinking (although his decision to walk home is weird under the circumstances), but neither is there any evidence that he wasn’t.
The point, though, is that this guy showed up, ran his mouth, made a complete ass of himself for an entire year, and then bailed in the most shameful manner possible. The strong reaction is perfectly understandable. Trust me . . . on the day this clown ceases to be the Trojans’ head coach, you’ll hate him as much as the Tennessee fans do.
Go 'Dawgs!
I have no idea what either of your comments was intended to mean . . .
. . . but I told the Tennessee people a year ago that this would end in disaster, and it did.
USC runs a great program with a storied heritage. The Trojans’ run under Pete Carroll was one of the finest in college football history. I have no ill will towards Southern California and its fans, but this was a bad hire.
Maybe it’ll take a year or two or three, but, eventually, you’ll recognize that this was a bad hire.
Go 'Dawgs!
OK Pyle King thanks for your output!
But really what is your problem is it the fact that Georgia FB or sports in general (except tennis) have never held a candle to Usc. What are you having a bad hair day but no this the second time you have come here, to bitch. I have a lot of friends in the Atlanta area and they have much class then you have. If you want I could steer them your way and you could learn from them, then again maybe it’s to late.
So really when you practice Law do you just hand the judge your findings and prediction and walk away, while everyone bends over and says what do you think Pyle man. So tell us will 2012 actually happen Pyle the all mighty, it seems that you have the crystal ball. Oh but wait you have to pull it out to read it , so wipe it off and tells oh mighty one.
by so.cal.native1952 on Jan 22, 2010 1:13 AM PST up reply actions
It's "Kyle"
You may want to proofread for typos next time.
I’m sorry if you think I have no class. Try reading Dawg Sports sometime and you may change your opinion.
The next time you choose to lecture someone on it, though, please try to show some of it. Thanks.
Go 'Dawgs!
Paul Please...
While I disagree with Kyle’s take on this, that is no excuse to demean his name.
Kyle is one of the most respected writers on the network. We emailed back and forth on this earlier this morning and I laid out why many of us are frustrated over the constant bashing of Lane Kiffin. He understood where we are we at. That was before I read the comments above from this morning
Kyle is Passionate about CFB and has he his opinions of LK…I respect those while disagreeing with them but I can do it in a respectful way.
I have asked this before…I cannot and will not accept personal attacks on other SBN site managers and their front page team members.
PERIOD!
This is for everyone…
I will not be asking this again…no more warnings…I will start suspending peoples privileges for 30-60 day clips.
We are better than that…why do we need to get in the muck and mire just because we disagree on one persons opinion.
Lay out your argument and move on…
How did Tenn end in disaster?
1) team improved/players developed substantially
2) had one of their best recruiting classes in years in 2009 – Bryce Brown will be a future Heisman candidate
3) teed up another top #5 class in 2010. Dooley is keeping almost all of them and adding some LA prospects of his own.
The facts of the matter, if anyone cares to look, are that Tenn is in a much better position today then they were before Lane Kiffin. Sour grapes? Jilted ex-lovers? Scared of the new SC juggernaut?
The Kiff bashing simply has no merit.
Kyle...
I am not really understanding your interest in all of this…
Kiffin was not at UGA…so to me this must be all about the SEC.
I get it, you are a purist, but I am more tolerant…people deserve a second chance.
Maybe this is all about “tradition” in your eyes in how things should be done but that is other peoples porblem.
The fact is, is like it or not, Kiffin is our coach now and he deserves and will get our support until he proves us wrong.
I am not interested in what went on in Knoxville…
It would seem to me that if Kiffin did have an accident and if it was hidden my the Knoxville faithful until Kiffin left then what does that say about say about them.
One word that comes to mind is corrupt…
I appreciate your take but we are not really interested in your constant hammering of this hire.
You should probably focus on your coach who may find his job in jeopardy if he doesn’t live up to expectations in 2010 instead of Kiffin who has no bearing on what goes on in Athens…
Thanks
Understood, Paragon
As it is clear I am not welcome here, I will depart and cause no further trouble.
Go 'Dawgs!
Hey Mr. T Kyle King!
The tail end of my comment from below got cut-off somehow? In closing, I purposely went out of my way to let you know, personally- my words and thoughts on the Lane Kiffin-schadenfreude polemic wasn’t at all directed towards you or in response to what you’ve written about the matter on this blog. My comments stem from reading and perusing other SB Nation blogs as well as other non-SBN ones, as well as mainstream media websites, various print media publications and all kinds of sports-related cyber-space public forums.
I’ve gleefully read your work for a good 2 – 3 years now, and can attest (as a true cardinal & gold Trojan) that you harbor no ill will towards USC or it’s athletic programs and that you are one of the- if not THE, most level-headed SEC fan/follower in all of college blogland.
From this fan of yours, I hope you don’t misunderstand our protective nature in this whole brouhaha and that, for better or for worse- Trojan fans are on DEFCON 3 alert in the “highly defensive” mode while looking out for and defending our new head coach. In any other circumstance, you might see a varied response towards matters concerning USC athletics. In this Lane Kiffin polemic, we seem to all be pretty much lock-step in hoping for the best from our new HC and we’ve seemed to unilaterally (and independently) fall into line in coming to his defense as a person and coach. It is what it is.
(we’re BITCHES about this subject, for lack of a better phrase)
No hard feelings and good luck to you guys in Athens and Coach Richt. I mean that.
From this
"As for being a Raiders fan, I wouldn't wish that fucking shit on anybody." [the venerable OTS at Roll Bama Roll}
by BixBeiderbecke on Jan 22, 2010 8:57 AM PST up reply actions
He ran his mouth off for a reason
Its the same reason Neuheisel is running his mouth off now. Its nothing personal. Its designed to get people talking about the Tennessee program, which has been mostly forgotten in lieu of Florida, LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, and more recently Ole’ Miss. No one was really talking about UT when Kiffin took over, and when he was the coach, he changed all of that. You may perceive it as negative, but he turned that buzz into a couple of top recruiting classes, so I guess it worked.
He just came here to grandstand A-typical loser lawyer, even when you pay there high fees doesn't mean your going to win.
I wonder if that is how the Bulldogs try and win games, kind of like the Weasel. Hey they could be a great act The Pyle & Weasel Show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3S-n8AMCxU
by so.cal.native1952 on Jan 22, 2010 12:35 PM PST up reply actions
I don't think I've experienced such a degree of . . . . .
. . . . .insincere concern regarding one man, one coach in, like. . . . . .forever!
Lemme get this straight:
A. Lane Kiffin evokes a decisive “love/hate” response in people
B. Lane Kiffin comes off as rude, disrespectful, and witless
C. SEC fans hate his guts through and through
D. SEC fans ALL OF THE SUDDEN emote grave concern of USC’s football program
E. The majority of college football fans want to see USC get the death-penalty from the NCAA (due to the Bush, Mayo, and McKnight investigations)
F. People, for no apparent/rather dubious reasons, feel the compulsion to tell us Trojan fans we’re crazy for hoping/retarded for believing/too stupid to realize that Coach Lane Kiffin is gonna do well/gonna majorly fail (. . . . . . be very scared! . . . . .these “people” live among us. . . .they do MAN!)
Don’t get me wrong? I take it very seriously when some random person warns me of impending doom, especially if I can gather that THEY’RE SERIOUSLY LOOKING OUT FOR MY WELL-BEING! Now in saying all that, how should one feel if they’re being told, “You made the wrong choice, your choice is gonna turn out badly, there’s nothing but dark days ahead, oh and- by the way, I don’t really like you anyway, and I also don’t care for the people you care for OR your interests, and . . . .one more thing, I hope your passion gets stepped on, punished, and forbidden to become your passion any longer. . .or at least limited and mitigated from you enjoying it fully for a couple years. As I’ve never cared for what you stand for or any interests you involve yourself with.”
Here’s the scary part: these insincere-concern people? they don’t just happen to be overcome with their concern on some street corner on some random day under a serendipitous setting! No. They COME TO YOUR HOUSE and SEEK YOU OUT to tell you these things.
"As for being a Raiders fan, I wouldn't wish that fucking shit on anybody." [the venerable OTS at Roll Bama Roll}
by BixBeiderbecke on Jan 22, 2010 12:17 AM PST reply actions
One small request
If you want to take issue with Kyle’s comments, that’s fair enough, but let’s not make this personal. As a general rule, what keeps SBN from exploding into flames (figuratively and literally) is that we don’t go after the various blogs’ leading lights on a personal level. Besides, Kyle’s a pretty open book thereabouts, and you’re going to have a hard time landing one on someone who’s a lawyer and a lay minister (I think I have the terminology right…) and lives out in the open, internet wise.
What I find interesting
Is that a lot of SEC fans have been jumping on the “hate Kiffin” bandwagon citing such reasons as how Kiffin left UT, and how Kiffin shot his mouth off as a reason why Kiffin will prove to be a failure at USC. What they all seem to look over is how he performed on the field, and in recruiting. Why do they overlook these facts? Because it blows a gaping hole in any argument that they could make.
Here is how Lane Kiffin will be judged at USC for all of you SEC fans out there:
Kiffin will be judged on wins-losses primarily.
Kiffin will be judged on how well he recruits.
Kiffin will be fired if he violates NCAA rules (secondary violations will be forgiven if at an acceptably low rate)
This may come as a surprise to you SEC guys, but Lane Kiffin will not leave USC after one season. The only way I can see him leaving is if he is fired for being involved in some huge scandal. I don’t see that happening, but it is possible. If you want to bet on that horse, I will take you up on it.
I don’t know what to think of Kiffin as a hire, but he will have at least 3 years to show us what he’s got. If he feeds the USC faithful a steady diet of 10 win seasons, then I’m happy as a clam. If he is in the 6-8 wins a season range, USC will probably make a change. With our recruits though, I don’t see that happening either.
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