Everybody knew this was just about business for him from the get-go. He was always going to leave for the NFL or USC if he got the chance, and everybody -- including Hamilton -- knew it. The reasonable assumption was that he would have to build up an attractive resume before he'd get a top opportunity like that, probably including an SEC championship, and that even if he left after only 3 or 4 years, the talent would be stacked up for the next guy. He was going to take that opportunity whenever it came; I didn't blame him for grabbing it when it came a few years earlier than everybody expected, no.
Leaving after 3-4 years, once we were built back up, is one thing. Running off 16 players, then the better part of another signing class, is another. He made us unwilling participants in a mexican donkey show.
With most things in life there is a right way and a wrong way. He did it the wrong way. Its pretty simple, it goes to down to just being a decent person - of which he is not. We gave him money, control, and the chance to further his career. He bit of the hand... no, make that the upper body... of the arm that fed him.
Always striving for the next best thing is fine in theory, but thats why people buy crap they can't afford and why the divorce rate is > 50%. At some point, people just have to make a decision that isn't 100% focused on numero uno.
If Kiffin had built us up and left in the off season... fine. But he just sent this program back to the stone ages. We will be lucky to have 60 SEC quality athletes for 2010.
We're going to be reminiscing on the good ole days of the Sullins brothers manning our o-line in a couple of years.... it could very well get that bad.
But hey, as long as Kiffin follows his dream, I guess its OK, right?