For most coaches, shaking hands and kissing babies is pretty low on the priority list. In fact, most of those dedicated to their craft would much rather spend time watching film and chasing recruits. Such was the case with Billy Clyde Gillispie. While there is little doubt in my mind that next year would have been an entirely different story for the Cats, in the end Billy Clyde’s refusal to play the Rotorary Club game cost him the throne in Lexington.
Coaching a state program in a southern school requires some degree of emotional intelligence. Often people from other parts of the country simply do not realize the magnitude of the job. Every school has its own unique identity, but when you end up coaching football at Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia or LSU you have to realize that the population of those states live and breathe for Saturdays in the fall. I’m not saying that it should be that way, but that is the way it is.
The idea of having to appease media, fans and alumni who often approach their team from a “child like” point of view shouldn’t be a requirement for any coach. Some might argue that Saban is an exception to the rule, but even Saban has learned to bend a little to the media machine in Alabama.
This is something that wouldn’t be worth mentioning, if it weren’t for my initial impression of Lane Kiffin. Upon the announcement that he would be our new head coach, I had little doubt that recruiting and Xs and Os would be covered. It wasn’t his youth or inexperience as a college head man that scared me either. My primary concern was his approach to the public relations side of the job.
I was very impressed in the first press conference, but with his matter of fact tone, and his cadence I wondered if the people of Tennessee would trust him enough to hand over the Keys to the State.
Perhaps the Kiffin roots to Nebraska should have allayed some of my fears. Nebraska fans are one of the few fan bases in the country that would rival even the most passionate SEC fans. A failure to recognize the symbolism of the position and what it means to the people of the state is a monumental mistake. This is something that Lane Kiffin seems to understand.
It matters not that fans at other schools vehemently despise our new head man. Somehow he has managed to win the hearts of Tennessee fans across the state. Sure, some of that has to do with the acquisition of Bryce Brown and a host of other recruits.
However, it is now clear to me that Lane has mastered the art of communication. Not only does Kiffin use the national media to propel his recruiting efforts, he also has the charm to meet the fans on an individual level. By opening practices, holding chalk talk, and inviting fans into the Vols world he has immediately endeared himself to those who live and breathe for Saturdays.
When the criticism does come, it will be interesting to see how “Kiffin the Young” deals with the adversity. You can rest assured that after the first snap there will be plenty of notes in the suggestion box. Hopefully Kiffin will be able to respond with maturity to the situation. He has surrounded himself with experienced people who are more than qualified to help him in that area.
No program or coach is without flaws, and there will be some turmoil and adversity in the Vol football program. It may come as early as this fall. For that very reason, whether you like it or not, coaching football at the University of Tennessee requires some degree of political capital. Judging by what I’ve seen so far, Lane has been wise enough to build a little equity in his account.
Until next time, Go Vols!