Lane Kiffin sticks out among the candidates
FACEOFF: The right guy for the Clemson job
By Gene Sapakoff
People feel very strongly about Clemson interim head coach Dabo Swinney, one way or the other. Maybe it all comes down to the South Carolina game. But if you think you're torn, check out the back-and-forth conflict within a four-word Dabo Swinney anagram.
Win. Bad. Yes. No.
So the logical answer for a permanent Clemson solution is Lane Kiffin. He is young (33), a proven recruiter (was the recruiting coordinator at Southern California), knows offense (also served as Pete Carroll's offensive coordinator) and defense (his father is venerable NFL defensive coordinator and former N.C. State head coach Monte Kiffin).
Burger's take
Anyone who thinks Monte Kiffin's reported feuds with Danny Ford are a negative is too stuck in Clemson past to care about Tigers future.
Kiffin seems interested in Clemson. While not mentioning Kiffin specifically, athletic director Terry Don Phillips said last week that ties to the Palmetto State are not necessarily important if everything else clicks.
Kiffin must know Clemson offers an easier path to BCS glory than Tennessee or Washington, or Auburn if that job opens. Best for Clemson, the former Oakland Raiders head coach is available. At least until another school jumps ahead in the Lane line.
Reach Gene Sapakoff at gsapakoff@postandcourier.com.
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vmid (anonymous) says...
spell and smell dollars....will not happen.
November 18, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
843allday (anonymous) says...
And Washington will shell out the dollars for Kiffin to give Carroll some competition in the PAC-10
November 18, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
drock4484 (anonymous) says...
As usual you're wrong again Gene. A couple weeks ago TDP said that being familiar with the area was a factor and that "someone from california might not be the best fit".
Do I think he would do a good job, yes. Do I think he will get the job, no.
TDP has a man crush on Dabo and if Dabo beats the chickens he gets the job, unfortunately. Clemson hung on to Tommy based on him just beating the chickens. I just dont think Dabo is ready to be a full time head coach.
November 18, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Get_Real (anonymous) says...
Please, please, please DO NOT HIRE LANE KIFFIN !!!!
All I need to say is this: He had a 5-15 record with the Raiders. We've had enough coaches that know how to lose!
Why hire a loser?
November 18, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Get_Real (anonymous) says...
Kiffin has filed a grievance against the Raiders for firing him. In Kiffin's mind, it's ok for a coach to lose 75% of his games and then talk trash about the players, coaches, and fans.
Raiders executive John Herrera issued a statement to The Associated Press refuting Kiffin's claims, saying "Mr. Kiffin was terminated for cause. The grievance is without merit."
The statement says that Kiffin's grievance "completely ignores the fact that Mr. Kiffin repeatedly made reckless statements that attacked players, assistant coaches and the owner of the team and were damaging to the Raiders organization." The statement also alleges that Kiffin made false statements to the media that damaged the Raiders.
Is this the kind of coach we want for Clemson? I don't think so.
November 18, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
P&C, I suggest removal of that nasty weight loss ad on this page. Good grief, don't you proof anything.
November 18, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OldSalt (anonymous) says...
theronce,
I hadn't even noticed it until you brought it up. Gee thanks. I was just about to have lunch.
November 18, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
softbatch (anonymous) says...
what makes the Kiffin / Raiders thing even more unusal is that Kiffin's boss, Al Davis, is one of the most level headed guys to run any business.....oh wait.
You can not go by what happened in Oakland. That is the worst run sports franchise in America, which includes the Clippers, Knicks, and Pirates.
Im not saying I support the hiring of Kiffin, but i've heard a lot worse names tied to the Clemson job.
November 18, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Whopper (anonymous) says...
Whoever clemson ends up with, just know that TDP will screw it up like he did last year's contract extension to Bowden. 12-0.
November 18, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bdg45uj (anonymous) says...
The Bowden extension was Barker's deal, NOT TDP's.
November 18, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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