This weekend is the Alabama vs. Tennessee game and a homecoming of sorts for Lane Kiffin.
It is well known that Kiffin is not the most popular person in Knoxville. He was Tennessee's head coach in 2009, led the Vols to a 7-6 record which by the way was the last time they had a winning season. He was working on a top 5 recruiting class when he bolted to take over at USC in January 2010. The night it was revealed he was leaving, Tennessee fans were ready to riot. Someone even burned a mattress in the street.
Quote from Kiffin the night he resigned: "This was not an easy decision," he said Tuesday night, reading a brief statement on Tennessee's campus. "This is something that happens very quick. We've been here 14 months, and the support has been unbelievable here. I really believe the only place I would have left here to go was ... Southern California."
I'm sure the Volunteer faithful will be ecstatic to see Kiffin back in Neyland Stadium. A couple weeks ago during the Florida game the student section broke out in a 'F*** you Florida'chant. University of Tennessee chancellor Jimmy Cheek admonished students in an email but they'll probably ignore that this weekend. I'm sure there will be some colorful things shouted in Kiffin's direction Saturday. However if Alabama plays like they did this past Saturday against Texas A&M then things will quiet down quickly.
Kiffin has even been inserted into a political dirt slinging campaign. In a Tennessee State House race pitting incumbent Gloria Johnson against challenger Eddie Smith. Kiffin is so unpopular in this East Tennessee district that he's being used in a direct mail ad that compares him to Johnson.
Kiffin apparently still owes his Knoxville barber. Rusty Manis, the owner of the Western Plaza Barber Shop says that Kiffin skipped town in January 2010 before paying a $14 haircut debt.
One funny thing about this, I want back and read articles from 2010 and found some interesting quotes.
Tennessee will now make a run at Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp to replace Kiffin, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com's Chris Low late Tuesday. Texas has said that Muschamp will succeed Mack Brown as Longhorns head coach, but no timetable has been set for that transition. The source says that Muschamp is Tennessee's No. 1 target.
Will Muschamp at Tennessee, how would that have turned out?
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