TN Commit David Oku

#1,927
#1,927
So, you're saying your grad student buddy has inside information on how the majority of our current players feel about CLK. Not only that, he's also able to solidify information about how the recruits are feeling as well.

Sorry, no offense, I just don't buy it.

By the way, I think Oku will come to his senses and sign with UT, JMO.
 
#1,929
#1,929
PredUTor J said:
This is a good friend of mine. I have known him for over 8 years.

You can think what you want, but I believe him.
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That doesn't surprise me. I personally don't think it's Kiffin's job to be well-liked at this point. That was one of Fulmer's major faults. Players lost respect for him. I know most of us can't stand Saban on here, but that is one thing I like about him. He doesn't care who he yells at.
 
#1,930
#1,930
Trust me, it isn't anyone kicked off the team. Aparently it is 3-4 guys that he knows well. He says that the overall viewpoint on Kiffin is negative.
 
#1,933
#1,933
PredUTor J said:
I just talked to a buddy of mine on facebook who is currently a grad student at UTK. He was telling me that there are alot of grumblings on campus from current players about the way that Kiffin is treating not only the current players but recruits as well. Basically he says Lane Kiffin is not well liked and even hated by most of the current players. Some have said that he comes across as an arrogant jerk to the recruits (they laugh and talk bad about him when he isn't around). Aparently most of the other coaches have been well received, but LK has some work to do to win over this team.
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Always some dissension under a new coach. That's nothing unusual. Nor is the manner and method of Lane Kiffin either unusual or totally indicative of the way he is going to coach in 2 or 3 years time.

When you come fresh into a situation where there has been a culture of "just enough" players where everyone is doing "just enough" to get by, you have to immediately set a precedent and over demand. These 5AM work out sessions and runs are not going to be the norm in the future (in fact I think they've already changed to 6AM) nor is the jerk attitude. It's just the way you have to do it coming into a new situation. Most good coaches do this. Contrast the way Wade Phillips entered Dallas and immediately slackened up rules and started letting players get by with things with the manner in which Tom Coughlin came into NY and started pissing players off or Bill Parcells doing the same thing everywhere he's ever gone to. Look at the difference in results.

The object is not to win a popularity contest, it will take time to accomplish that and to build relationships with the players, the goal is to get people to do what the hell you are telling them to do immediately and without question.
 
#1,934
#1,934
Volfan8282 said:
That doesn't surprise me. I personally don't think it's Kiffin's job to be well-liked at this point. That was one of Fulmer's major faults. Players lost respect for him. I know most of us can't stand Saban on here, but that is one thing I like about him. He doesn't care who he yells at.
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True, it isn't his job to be liked. But when you are viewed by your players as an arrogant jerk and you haven't really done anything as a head coach, that is a problem.

Nick Saban can be a jerk. He entered the Bama job with credibility. He has won SEC championships and a national championship. Kiffin hasn't.
 
#1,935
#1,935
PredUTor J said:
Trust me, it isn't anyone kicked off the team. Aparently it is 3-4 guys that he knows well. He says that the overall viewpoint on Kiffin is negative.
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I will say this...

My college baseball coach who was very well respected throughout the nation (until recently) was despised by me and about every other player on our team.

Not saying it is healthy to feel that way...but it's not all that uncommon.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#1,938
#1,938
By the way, I can see there might still be some carry over from the whole Fulmer fiasco, so it wouldn't surprise me if a couple of players haven't fully warmed to CLK.

Heaven forbid that the new coach comes into town and wants to make sure all his players are held accountable in the classroom and in their free time. He hasn't had much time for mentoring with all the recruiting, so I'm sure the players have had very little exposure to him just yet.

Last thing, and this is JMO, but I would be willing to bet the players will learn to appreciate CLK because he sets very high expectations and standards and won't accept mistakes (on or off the field). You can forget the family atmosphere stuff that CPF brought, UT is on a mission for success. Don't forget, this time last year we already had like 4 players arrested, so I think CLK is doing just fine.
 
#1,939
#1,939
Sabanocchio said:
Always some dissension under a new coach. That's nothing unusual. Nor is the manner and method of Lane Kiffin either unusual or totally indicative of the way he is going to coach in 2 or 3 years time.

When you come fresh into a situation where there has been a culture of "just enough" players where everyone is doing "just enough" to get by, you have to immediately set a precedent and over demand. These 5AM work out sessions and runs are not going to be the norm in the future (in fact I think they've already changed to 6AM) nor is the jerk attitude. It's just the way you have to do it coming into a new situation. Most good coaches do this. Contrast the way Wade Phillips entered Dallas and immediately slackened up rules and started letting players get by with things with the manner in which Tom Coughlin came into NY and started pissing players off or Bill Parcells doing the same thing everywhere he's ever gone to. Look at the difference in results.

The object is not to win a popularity contest, it will take time to accomplish that and to build relationships with the players, the goal is to get people to do what the hell you are telling them to do immediately and without question.
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Well said Sab.

IMO a coach that becomes respected doesn't need to be a friend.
 
#1,941
#1,941
PredUTor J said:
True, it isn't his job to be liked. But when you are viewed by your players as an arrogant jerk and you haven't really done anything as a head coach, that is a problem.

Nick Saban can be a jerk. He entered the Bama job with credibility. He has won SEC championships and a national championship. Kiffin hasn't.
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Yeah, I mean I see your point. I just think that the players don't need to like him right now. He's in control of the depth chart. That should be their soul motivation... not whether or not they've buddied up with him. I think a coach can be well-liked and a great disciplinarian as well ... I think Meyer is like that in some ways. But, I would rather a coach come in and lay down the law first and be friendly later.
 
#1,943
#1,943
OHvol40 said:
Well said Sab.

IMO a coach that becomes respected doesn't need to be a friend.
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And there is time for that down the road. You can't gain enough respect in the short amount of time that Kiffin has to get things changed before the season starts, you must do it with fear. This is not a long term attitude for him. It's just the only way to do it at this point and get results.
 
#1,944
#1,944
I understand, some coaches can pull off the whole bad a$$ routine and be very successful. But I don't think Kiffin is coming across that way. It seems he is coming across as a 33 year old arrogant brat that has always gotten what he wants. He hasn't established any credibility or respect level, but you should still kiss his butt.

My whole reason for bringing it up, was because this is coming across to alot of recruits. It is likely the reason why we are losing so many. They would rather play for someone with a proven record that is likable.
 
#1,945
#1,945
PredUTor J said:
True, it isn't his job to be liked. But when you are viewed by your players as an arrogant jerk and you haven't really done anything as a head coach, that is a problem.

Nick Saban can be a jerk. He entered the Bama job with credibility. He has won SEC championships and a national championship. Kiffin hasn't.
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Do you think Nick got those championships by acting like a pansy and then he changed once he won the hardware? How much cred did Saban have in the NFL? That didn't stop him from making grown men cry.
 
#1,946
#1,946
PredUTor J said:
I understand, some coaches can pull off the whole bad a$$ routine and be very successful. But I don't think Kiffin is coming across that way. It seems he is coming across as a 33 year old arrogant brat that has always gotten what he wants. He hasn't established any credibility or respect level, but you should still kiss his butt.

My whole reason for bringing it up, was because this is coming across to alot of recruits. It is likely the reason why we are losing so many. They would rather play for someone with a proven record that is likable.
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Yeah, well if that is true, then hopefully Kiffin will adjust to some degree.
 
#1,948
#1,948
Exactly how much time has CLK spent with his players so far? Not much from what I've heard. A meeting or two here, a drop-in at the 5AM workouts there. I wouldn't expect for him to be well liked. In fact I bet he is going out of his way to be offish to establish control. He just needs to back it up with good coaching and wins.
 
#1,949
#1,949
PredUTor J said:
I understand, some coaches can pull off the whole bad a$$ routine and be very successful. But I don't think Kiffin is coming across that way. It seems he is coming across as a 33 year old arrogant brat that has always gotten what he wants. He hasn't established any credibility or respect level, but you should still kiss his butt.

My whole reason for bringing it up, was because this is coming across to alot of recruits. It is likely the reason why we are losing so many. They would rather play for someone with a proven record that is likable.
Click to expand...

This post is so ridiculous I wouldn't even know where to begin. Let me just say you were wrong on your first point, and every subsequent one.
 
#1,950
#1,950
My position coach in college was a complete jerk sometimes but he demanded 110% on and off the field. I didn't like him so much then, but I totally get what he was doing and why...I therefore respect him more than any coach I've ever had. The point is he made me a much better player than I could have ever made myself and I think that that's what Kiffin is striving for. He doesn't necessarily have to translate that into wins, although that helps, he just has to teach these kids how to better themselves as ball players and men...however brash he comes across.
 
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