Kiffin Is Tennessee's New Head Football Coach

Monday Lane Kiffin was introduced as the new head coach of the University of Tennessee. OSG reported last week that Kiffin had gotten the gig and a press conference would take place on Monday making it official.

Kiffin got a 6 year contract that will pay him $2 million in 2009 and will escalate to $2.75 by 2014.

"I'm rolling my sleeves up and going to work,"Kiffin said. "I can promise you that no one is going to outwork me and no one is going to outwork my staff. It starts today."

"When it was all said and done, we felt like Lane Kiffin was a perfect fit for Tennessee," Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said in a statement released Sunday. "He’s energetic, charismatic, consumed with recruiting and has had a lifelong love affair with football."

Kiffin is a risky hire for Tennessee. He has never recruited the southern part of the US and has never coached in the SEC which is a totally different experience that the Pac-10. The NFL is a challenge but there you don't have to deal with an ultra rapid fan base, alumni and boosters.

How long will the honeymoon period last in Knoxville?

Photo Courtesy: Michael Patrick/Knoxville News

Clemson Interviewing Coaching Candidates

Clemson is in the process to find a new head football coach. Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster is interviewing with Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips Friday.

Phillips flew to Detroit and interviewed former Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin. He has also interviewed Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables.

Interviews with Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson seem to be in the works. I wouldn't be surprised there will be a conversation between Phillips and outgoing Tennessee head coach Phil Fulmer.

Foster has been the only one to public state his interest in the Clemson head coaching position.

Don't forget that Dabo Swinney is auditioning for this job and is winning the hearts and minds of Tigertown. In a recent survey by greenvilleonline.com out of Greenville, South Carolina, Swinney was the popular choice getting 37% of the vote over Bill Cowher with 23%. Bobby Johnson received 13% while Will Muschamp got 10%.

Kiffin Fired Over The Phone

The worst kept secret in the National Football League is finally revealed from beneath it's silver and black tablecloth... Oakland Raiders boss man Al Davis fired Head Coach Lane Kiffin today ((pictured, thanks Getty Images)), according to multiple reports and sources.

Davis did so over the telephone and, apparently, without pay...

((ed. note- the only way that will fly is if Kiffin was in breach of his deal... good luck proving that one...))

Davis had interviewed the likes of line coach Tom Cable, special consultant Paul Hackett, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, and James Lofton while Kiffin was still employed and game planning. Kiffin basically dared Davis to fire him, and not make him quit. There was too much money on the table for Kiffin to go voluntarily...

Davis, apparently, called Kiffin shortly after noon eastern time to inform him of his decision...

As we know more, you know more... a decision on the successor will be made later today. Davis is scheduled to have a press conference to give his rationale for the firing- finally...

UPDATE: Davis released a letter to the media that he claims Kiffin received on September 12th notifying the then-coach that, if he continued his pattern of behavior, he would be fired for cause... the letter can be found in black...

The first paragraph is below...

"Dear Lane:

Over the past months, you have made a number of public statements that were highly critical of, and designed to embarrass and discredit, this organization, its players and its coaches. I left you alone during training camp in hopes that you would cease your immature and destructive campaign..."