Tennessee Vols Recruiting - Taylor on Tennessee: 'It's not dead with cow pastures'
Monte fell off a fence:
You never really know what it is that will win over a recruit. College coaches have been saying that for years.
But falling off a fence in the middle of a football practice? Now thats breaking new ground.
Quite unintentionally, thats what happened to Tennessees 69-year-old defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin while Atlanta-Westlake Highs Michael Taylor was there on an unofficial visit this past weekend. And it was was one of the reasons the 6-foot-1, 205-pound linebacker decided to commit to the Volunteers.
Taylor shared the story of the bizarre accident when I asked him for his impressions of the wizened elder Kiffin, considered one of the games brightest defensive minds.
When I was there he tried to climb a fence and he fell, Taylor said, trying to stifle a chuckle.
I had to ask: First of all, what is a 69-year-old man doing climbing a fence?
I have no clue, Taylor said, laughing fully now. He was upset about the defense or something and I guess he thought he could get over it. He fell backwards.
Was he hurt? I asked, now laughing, too.
Ended up with a couple of scars, Taylor replied. [Linebackers] Coach [Lance] Thompson said he thought a bear had mauled him.
As it turns out, Monte Kiffin falling backward off that fence helped clinch it for the Vols.
I thought it was great, Taylor said. Hes a warrior for that, in my opinion. Thats the kind intensity he has and the type of players he wants. He reminds a lot of my grandfather that still lives in California. Theyre two similar guys. They have the same mannerisms and everything and they still try to do a lot of stuff like theyre still young. Monte Kiffin is a great guy and so is everybody on that coaching staff and were going to have a lot of success in that defense.