... he just tweeted out a random "Go Vols!"
Go Vols!
It's strange how much he loves UT. We're like the girlfriend he left because he thought he found someone better, but then he regrets that decision for the rest of his life.
I don't think it's that strange, actually. Because I think you're spot on. One Sunday, I was at JB's in Deerfield Beach. The FAU football team was there on some sort of recruiting luncheon. Lane wasn't there, but Monty was there, since they split up into defensive & offensive receuits I think. Given his status as a defensive legend, I went up and introduced myself. He was super nice and happy to chat, and we talked various football items for around 10 minutes, actually.
Amongst that, I mentioned I was a Vol fan. I believe I tactfully segued with something like, you know I think the reason Tennessee fans were so upset that he left, was that other than the attrition, which you would have wizened up and started to recruit hire character guys as he got a foothold there, the fanbase was excited about his recruitment and the improved play on the field. I referenced his work with Jonathan Crompton as an example of that.
Monty responded that Lane and his entire family loved Knoxville, himself included, and that Lane has kind of referenced that it was a mistake to leave. Monty said he just thinks that he was young, and USC was his dream job, so that was the reason why he left, but if he had to do it over again he would stay. He said they all still have fond memories of Knoxville, and loved it there. FWIW.