Lane Kiffin Owns Troll After Tennessee Loses in College Baseball Super Regionals
Jun 13, 2022
OXFORD, MS - NOVEMBER 13: Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin celebrates after a touchdown during the game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Texas A&M Aggies on November 13, 2021, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadiumin Oxford, Ms. (Photo by Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Former Tennessee head football coach
Lane Kiffin fired back at a Twitter troll after the Volunteers
were eliminated from the college baseball super regionals by Notre
Dame on Sunday.
Kiffin, who now leads the Ole Miss
football program, took advantage of the Rebels earning their ticket
to Omaha for the College World Series to take a shot at the Vols:
UT was the top-ranked team in the NCAA
men's college baseball tournament after posting a 49-7 record during
the regular season, but it couldn't overcome the unseeded Fighting
Irish, who won the deciding Game 3 by a 7-3 score.
It presented an opportunity for Kiffin
to respond to the message he'd received a day earlier, and he didn't
pass it up.
The outspoken coach spent just one year
with the Vols in 2009, leading the team to a 7-6 record, before
leaving to accept the USC job after Pete Carroll left for the NFL's
Seattle Seahawks.
Kiffin returned to UT's Neyland Stadium in October for the first time as a head coach since his departure. He guided the
Rebels to a 31-26 win, and Vols fans responded by throwing trash on
the opponent's sideline after a disputed call late in the fourth quarter.
"They're just throwing stuff. I
just said put your helmets on and let's play," Kiffin said after
the game. "They're passionate fans. People came to see a show
and it didn't end the way they wanted it to. It is what it is."
Despite downplaying the incident in the immediate aftermath, it
clearly stuck in his mind because he brought it back up Friday, which
sparked the interaction:
Unfortunately, the Rebels and
Volunteers aren't scheduled to face off during the upcoming football
season, so the trash talk between Kiffin and Tennessee fans will have to
remain on social media.
Former 5-Star USC WR Bru McCoy Transfers to Tennessee
May 4, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 17: Wide receiver Bru McCoy #4 of the USC Trojans warms up before the spring game at Los Angeles Coliseum on April 17, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Bru McCoy announced Tuesday he's transferring to Tennessee.
The former USC wide receiver made an official visit to the Volunteers in March.
He told GoVols247's Ryan Callahan before announcing his final decision that Tennesee has "an unbelievable staff." He added that head coach Josh Heupel's offensive scheme "fits the type of player I am, so it's a wholesomeāyou know, everything's clicking."
McCoy was the No. 9 overall player in the 2019 recruiting class in 247Sports' composite rankings.
The California native originally enrolled at USC, only to leave the school in January 2019 and enroll at Texas after Kliff Kingsbury chose to coach the Arizona Cardinals instead of staying on as the Trojans' offensive coordinator.
McCoy never suited up for the Longhorns and transferred back to USC in June 2019. He only made a limited impact with the team, redshirting in 2019 and then catching 21 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns in six games in 2020.
In August 2021, USC suspended McCoy indefinitely after he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence. Though the Los Angeles County prosecutor declined to pursue charges, McCoy missed the entire 2021 season.
McCoy was teammates at USC with Velus Jones Jr. and Chase McGrath, both of whom made the trip east to Knoxville, Tennessee. According to Callahan, McCoy was encouraged to consider Tennessee based on what he had heard from Jones and McGrath about their experiences with the program.
Although the Vols return their leading receiver from 2021, Cedric Tillman, the departure of Jones could open the door for McCoy to play a big role in the passing game.
Following a nondescript three-year run at Virginia Tech, Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker flourished under Heupel as well. Hooker threw for 2,945 yards, 31 touchdowns and three interceptions and ran for 616 yards and five scores.
Playing in the Volunteers offense could be a great showcase for McCoy and help get his collegiate career back on track.
5-Star QB Nicholaus Iamaleava Commits to Tennessee over Alabama, Oregon, More
Mar 21, 2022
Nicholaus Iamaleava, a 5-star quarterback out of Warren High School in Downey, California, has chosen to play college football at Tennessee.
"They had everything I was looking for," he said in an interview with 247Sports' Greg Biggins. "I met some incredible people, not just with the football program but everyone we met was so welcoming to us and made me feel like home."
Per 247Sports, the 6'5", 195-pounder ranks as the No. 3 overall prospect and the No. 3 quarterback on the class of 2023 prospect list.
247Sports lists Iamaleava as having 21 offers, including ones from Alabama, Oregon and USC. He played two years at Long Beach Poly before moving onto Downey.
Iamaleava is also a volleyball star, as On3.com detailed:
Nicholaus Iamaleava received scholarship offers in volleyball long before he picked up his first offer in football. Iamaleava is ranked by some volleyball analysts as the top high school volleyball prospect in the country. He played varsity volleyball as a freshman at Long Beach Polyāone of the top high school teams in the country. Iamaleava transferred from Poly to Downey (Calif.) Warren before the start of his junior season.
Iamaleava will now take his talents to Tennessee, which will welcome one of the top Class of 2023 quarterbacks in the country in hopes of earning a national title under his leadership.
His commitment now also helps head coach Josh Heupel build more momentum following a seven-win 2021 season that got the Vols to the Music City Bowl. That was more than what many expected given the difficult situation Heupel inherited.
Purdue Defeats Tennessee in Overtime in Chaotic 2021 Music City Bowl
Dec 31, 2021
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Aidan O'Connell #16 of the Purdue Boilermakers passes the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Purdue survived a wild battle with Tennessee to earn a 48-45 overtime win in the Music City Bowl.
Aidan O'Connell totaled 534 passing yards and five touchdowns Thursday in front of a packed crowd at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
It was a back-and-forth battle throughout, with Purdue overcoming a slow start to take a 23-21 lead at halftime. Of course, the chaos truly started in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter.
With Tennessee up 31-30, the teams combined for four touchdowns in a span of three minutes and 23 seconds.
All season long weāve seen officials not blow plays dead with forward progress. How many times have seen Bush push situations but Here we did! A real shame. Itās been such a great game.
It helped the Boilermakers close their season at 9-4, the program's most wins in a season since 2003. The success came after three straight losing seasons, including a 2-4 mark in 2020.
Tennessee also had a strong first season under Josh Heupel after going 3-7 last year, but the 7-6 final record still leaves room for improvement.
Hendon Hooker finished with five touchdown passes, but it wasn't enough for the Volunteers to pull out a win.
In overtime, the coaching staff put the game on the line with a pair of fourth-down tries. After converting the first, the second was ruled to be short to leave Purdue with an easy path to victory.
The talent was seemingly enough for Tennessee to pull away for an easy win, but the mental and physical errors held the team back in the disappointing loss.
Aidan O'Connell Thrives for Purdue Without Top Weapons
It was a difficult task entering the game for Aidan O'Connell, who had to run the offense without David Bell after the All-Big Ten receiver opted out of the game. No. 2 receiver Milton Wright was also unavailable and T.J. Sheffield suffered an injury in the second half of Thursday's game.
The passing attack still excelled at times with O'Connell throwing impressive passes all around the field.
Purdue showed it was ready to compete early on with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Broc Thompson.
Jeff Brohm is the real all-gas, no-brakes play caller. Missed a fourth-down pass from O'Connell to Broc Thompson, then came right back with a bomb to Thompson to open the next possession for a TD.
The Boilermakers eventually took the 23-21 halftime lead when O'Connell found a wide-open Payne Durham in the end zone. Purdue outscored Tennessee 16-0 in the second quarter and kept the momentum after halftime.
It wasn't all perfect for O'Connell, who made some rare mistakes after totaling 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions in the last five games of the regular season.
He stayed aggressive without his top receivers, but this led to some regrettable passes.
O'Connell uncharacteristically wild today. It's cost them two scores and at least two of the INTs.
Purdue still found a way to come out on top with players like Thompson and Durham stepping up when it mattered.
The Boilermakers showed incredible depth and resolve to win the high-scoring battle.
Tennessee Won't Self-Impose Bowl Ban After Investigation into Recruiting Violations
Nov 4, 2021
College Football: Closeup of Nike footballs on field before Mississippi vs Tennessee-Martin game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Equipment.
Oxford, MS 9/5/2015
CREDIT: Pouya Dianat (Photo by Pouya Dianat /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set Number: X159910 TK1 )
The Tennessee Volunteers football program announced Thursday that it will not self-impose a postseason ban following an investigation into recruiting violations under coach Jeremy Pruitt.
"We will hold ourselves accountable considering the nature of the violations, our prompt investigation and corrective personnel actions, the new recruiting environment and other factors," the school's statement read (h/t The Athletic). "In the interest of protecting the rights of innocent student-athletes, the university will not impose a postseason bowl ban."
"NCAA bylaws prevent us from sharing details of the investigation at this time, but we do commit to providing that information when we are able," the statement continued. "We appreciate the patience and support of our fans during this process."
At 4-4 (2-3 SEC), the Volunteers are two wins away from bowl eligibility. Tennessee may choose to self-impose other penalties, such as a reduction in scholarships or recruiting limitations. The NCAA could also opt to punish the program beyond its self-imposed sanctions.
Pruitt was fired for cause on Jan. 18 after an investigation that began nearly a year ago. The university reportedly "uncovered evidence that members of Pruitt's football staff engaged in conduct likely to result in serious NCAA rules violations and Pruitt failed to monitor their actions or promote an atmosphere of compliance," per Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel (via Yahoo Sports).
After Danny White was brought on as athletic director, he hired Josh Heupel from UCF on Jan. 27 to take the head coaching position.
Tennessee has lost two straight, falling to No. 13 Ole Miss and No. 4 Alabama. Things don't get much easier this Saturday as the Vols will face No. 17 Kentucky (6-2, 4-2). Tennessee also has a matchup against No. 1 Georgia on the horizon on Nov. 13.
Tennessee Bans 16 Students, 9 Fans from Games for Throwing Trash vs. Ole Miss
Oct 29, 2021
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 31: A block with the Tennessee Volunteers logo on the sideline during the third quarter of the season opener at Neyland Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
The University of Tennessee banned 16 students from all athletic events through the spring sports season for throwing objects onto the field during a 31-26 loss to No. 10 Ole Miss on Oct. 16, school leaders announced Friday, per Becca Wright of the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Nine fans who aren't students were also banned.
The school was fined $250,000 for littering the field, Wright added.
Volunteers fans trashed the Neyland Stadium field after Ole Miss' game-clinching defensive stop with 54 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Tight end Jacob Warren was ruled a yard short of the first down on 4th-and-24, and the call stood after video review. Fans began throwing trash and debris after the call was announced.
An embarrassing way to end this sellout in Neyland Stadium. Fans throw trash onto the field and postpone the game for quite some time after a controversial fourth down call in the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/lr9md1uraN
Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin was hit with a golf ball, and play was stopped for more than 15 minutes as the debris had to be cleared off the field.
Volunteers athletic director Danny White sent an email to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey on Friday outlining ways the school plans to prevent similar incidents in the future, per Wright.
Changes that will be implemented for Tennessee's home game against Georgia on Nov. 13 include prohibiting student guest tickets, increasing police and security staff in the student section, adding enhanced metal detectors and adding more signs and announcements warning against misconduct.
Students will also be required to agree to the SEC and Tennessee fan codes of conduct. In addition, Tennessee is considering adding more video cameras, adding more game-day staff and reconfiguring how students enter the stadium to minimize lines.
Tennessee is 4-4 on the season and hasn't won a game since an Oct. 9 victory over South Carolina. The Volunteers have had several disappointing seasons in recent years and haven't had a winning season since 2019.
Jeremy Pruitt's Lawyer Threatens Lawsuit vs. Tennessee Without Contract Settlement
Oct 20, 2021
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 12: Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt argues a call during a game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and Tennessee Volunteers, December 12, 2020 at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Former Tennessee football coach Jeremy Pruitt wants a settlement after the SEC school fired him for cause following the 2020 season, and his lawyer said he will file a lawsuit that will "cripple" the athletic program if he doesn't get it.
Blake Toppmeyer of USA Today reported Michael Lyons, who is Pruitt's lawyer, gave Tennessee an ultimatum of Oct. 29 to reach said settlement if it wants to avoid going to court.
The school, which fired Pruitt Jan. 18 after alleging the football program likely violated NCAA rules during his tenure, does not plan to settle and has not paid the $12.6 million buyout clause on the coach's contract because the firing was for cause.
Ryan Stinnett, who is general counsel for Tennessee, responded to Lyons and explained the school's position:
Your letter contains no denials of your client's actions. Instead, you raise vague and unsupported allegations of other violations by the University and threaten to embarrass the University publicly by revealing these alleged violations.
The University emphatically denies these allegations and will not be intimidated into settling with your client based on your unsupported assertions.
Lyons said a lawsuit will "embarrass UT" and lead to NCAA sanctions while alleging NCAA and recruiting violations across multiple sports.
Pruitt was the head coach of the football program from 2018 through 2020 and finished with a 16-19 record. His only winning campaign came when the Volunteers went 8-5 and won the Gator Bowl in 2019, and they were just 3-7 during the shortened 2020 season.
Tennessee hired Josh Heupel to replace Pruitt, and his 2021 team already has more wins than last year's version at 4-3. He was also the head coach of UCF from 2018 through 2020 when Pruitt was at Tennessee and led the Knights to a 28-8 record during his tenure.
They went 12-1 in 2018 with their only loss coming in the Fiesta Bowl against LSU.
As for Pruitt, he is a senior defensive analyst for the New York Giants in the NFL.
Tennessee Fined $250K for Fan Behavior in Loss vs. Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss
Oct 18, 2021
Fans dressed in orange and white form the checkerboard pattern in Neyland Stadium as Tennessee players run through the "T" before an NCAA college football game against Mississippi Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
The SEC has docked the University of Tennessee $250,000 after fans threw objects onto the field and at the opposing team during and after the Volunteers' 31-26 loss to Ole Miss at Knoxville's Neyland Stadium last Saturday.
Tennessee's reprimand includes other requirements:
Of note, Tennessee is required to use all available resources to identify individuals who threw objects. Eighteen arrests and 47 ejections occurred at Saturday's game alone, a UT Police Department spokesperson told Adam Sparks of the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Tennessee released a statement regarding the fan behavior, per Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel:
I was in communication with Commissioner Sankey throughout the weekend, and we discussed a variety of things that took place Saturday night. As I stated after the game, the actions that led to the temporary stoppage of play were unacceptable. The conduct of a small percentage of fans has led to unfortunate consequences on multiple fronts. While I donāt believe that conduct is representative of the Tennessee fanbase as a whole, I understand this imperative action by the league. Safety is paramount.
Some elements of what the league office has instructed were already in motion, as a review of in-venue video began this weekend. Internallyāand in collaboration with our campus partnersāweāll continue to evaluate accountability measures and develop an action and education plan for future games.
Items thrown onto the field included soda bottles, beer cans, pizza boxes, vape pens, liquor bottles, hot dogs, a mustard bottle and a yellow golf ball, per Wilson.
The golf ball struck Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, who also said he was hit by bottles that contained a brown substance:
I asked Lane Kiffin what all he got hit with other than the golf ball.
"Bottles filled with some brown stuff. Probably wasn't moonshine. I don't think they'd waste moonshine on me."
The object throwing started after officials ruled Tennessee tight end Jacob Warren just short of the first-down marker on a 4th-and-24 play late in the fourth quarter. Ole Miss was set to get the ball back up 31-26, but the fan behavior forced a 20-minute stoppage.
Order was restored, and Ole Miss held on for the win.
Tennessee's next home game will be against No. 1 Georgia on Saturday, November 13.
18 Tennessee Fans Arrested For Allegedly Throwing Trash on the Field vs. Ole Miss
Oct 18, 2021
Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin stands on the field during a timeout in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. Mississippi won 31-26. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Eighteen fans were arrested for throwing items onto the field during Tennessee's game against Ole Miss on Saturday.
The University of Tennessee Police department told Adam Sparks of the Knoxville News Sentinel that they are continuing to investigate security footage in an effort to identify fans. Students who are identified could face additional disciplinary action and be banned from attending future games.
Fans littered the field with trash and other items late in Ole Miss' 31-26 victory over the Volunteers, which also featured former Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin returning to Knoxville for the first time as a head coach since leaving the program in 2009.
"I just wanted to play. The players have got helmets. It's the coaches that are going to get hit. I still have my souvenir golf ball that I got hit with. I just said 'Put the helmets on and let's play,'" Kiffin told reporters.
"Really, the Tennessee people were really down there on the field taking care of us. We were worried more about the players than anything else, even the Tennessee people. That was really cool to see that part of it."
The game was delayed by 20 minutes as a result of the fan behavior. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel told reporters he was "disappointed" by the behavior exhibited at the stadium.
Tennessee vs. Ole Miss Delayed After Fans Throw Objects onto Field
Oct 17, 2021
Tennessee's Chase McGrath (40) kicks a field goal during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Mississippi on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
An ugly scene developed at Knoxville's Neyland Stadium on Saturday evening as University of Tennessee football fans pelted the field with objects following a close call near the end of a 31-26 loss to Ole Miss.
The Ole Miss-Tennessee game was delayed because of fans throwing objects at Ole Miss players. pic.twitter.com/VXAenOy1Ty
Down 31-26, Tennessee faced a 4th-and-24 from its own 36-yard line with 54 seconds remaining.
Undeterred, quarterback Hendon Hooker fired a pass down the middle of the field to tight end Jacob Warren, who split Ole Miss defenders and tried for the first down.
He appeared to fall right before or at the line to gain as Ole Miss defensive back Otis Reese tackled him. The call on the field was that Warren was one yard short, and that stood upon review.
Fans started throwing objects on the field as Ole Miss got the ball back. The game was forced to stop as the scene got more dangerous.
Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports described some of the objects relayed via the SEC Network broadcast:
Ole miss-Tenn sideline announcer, as fans throw shit on the field:
āIāve seen vape pens, golf balls, water bottles, beer ... thereās a whole jar of mustard down here in the field.ā
The Ole Miss sideline was also littered with debris as the game halted for more than 20 minutes.
The Rebels moved toward the middle of the field as coaches, officials and law enforcement met to discuss their options.
Ultimately, the scene calmed down, and the game continued.
Ole Miss went three-and-out as Tennessee burned its timeouts. If there wasn't already enough drama, a Velus Jones Jr. punt return past midfield and a Hooker 14-yard run got the ball to the Ole Miss 33-yard line with 18 seconds left.
However, Hooker then went down with an injury, and he was replaced by Joe Milton II, who found Walker Merrill for 12 yards. A miracle was not meant to be, however, as an incomplete pass and a 13-yard Milton run ended the game.
Emotions were already running high pregame thanks to the return of Kiffin, who led the Tennessee program in 2009 before resigning after just one season and leaving for USC in Jan. 2010. The sloppy departure created an uproar in Knoxville, and fans made sure Kiffin knew of their displeasure with their pregame jeering as he was interviewed.
Then the game started, and it was a back-and-forth affair between two SEC rivals in front of a raucous crowd.
Still, none of that was an excuse for the fans' behavior, which received just criticism postgame:
Ole Miss wins and more trash raining down from the stands. Disgraceful, UT fans. Pathetic night when everyone started out talking how good that atmosphere was. Just gross.
After the game ended, Kiffin was escorted into the locker room by security. More objects were thrown in his vicinity, and Kiffin returned the favor by tossing his visor over the tunnel to a fan above, as shown by Ben McKee of Volquest.
Vols head coach Josh Heupel addressed the fan behavior postgame.
#Vols head coach Josh Heupel's opening statement: First, I want to acknowledge to the few fans what transpired at the end. Disappointing to see things thrown on the field. For the most part, what an unbelievable atmosphere. Phenomenal to be a part of it.
Heupel also had no update on Hooker. As Trey Wallace of OutKick tweeted, Hooker didn't appear to put pressure on his right leg following the aforementioned run.
As for the two teams, Ole Miss improved to 5-1 (2-1 SEC), and Tennessee fell to 4-3 (1-2 SEC).
