Readers weigh in on Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, Lane Kiffin, Tony Vitello | Adams

Most of my readers are still focused on the shortcomings of Tennessee football after that minor setback against Vanderbilt.

But one of my literary contributors painted with a broader brush, taking a swipe at all UT sports.

Another couldn’t resist taking a swipe at a former Tennessee coach – a winning coach, in fact. How dare he question Lane Kiffin’s integrity.

Mike writes: As various sports analysts assess whether Kiffin should have been permitted to coach Ole Miss through the playoffs, I wonder why they all seem to overlook what happened just a few years ago.

After Kiffin accepted the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic, Alabama was willing to let Kiffin keep coaching at Bama as offensive coordinator.  Ultimately, however, they had to let him go since he kept focusing on his new job rather than carrying out his Alabama responsibilities.

Based on that, why would anyone ever let Kiffin continue to coach after accepting a different job?  He lacked the integrity to do what he said he would do.

My response: Kiffin has talked a great deal about his personal transformation during his time at Ole Miss. He apparently eats less and prays more.

Good for him.

He might have changed significantly from his one year at Tennessee to his six years in Ole Miss. But Kiffin still puts Kiffin first. And the team he’s coaching is a distant second.

Steve writes: Having read your columns for many, many years, I always appreciate your honest evaluation of Tennessee athletics’ programs. 

However, I don’t think you are putting enough blame on the head man in the football program, as both the boss of the defensive coordinator and the primary play caller on offense.

My point is that our defense is not our only problem. We were not prepared for either the Vandy game or the Oklahoma game, and that is what is not acceptable.

My response: Heupel needs to make changes or his coaching seat will be sizzling next season.

He changed his offense for the better after the 2024 season. Now, it’s crucial he does something about the defense – coordinator Tim Banks was fired Dec. 8 – and be more aggressive in the transfer portal.

Colorado Mark writes: How long will this CFP Committee clown show go on? It will end up being a 24-team playoff and why?

Money, money, money. 

The decision has already been made, by who, is the real question, probably the same handful of people that brought about NIL and the transfer portal, and again I ask, who is actually running big-boy college football?  Who are the real decision makers?  Everything the committee is doing is to create validation for the 24 team playoff.

The stage has been set, the additional revenue has been calculated, it’s on to 24. The next question will be: Will they milk this cash cow until in collapses?  

My response: Who’s running big-boy college football? You answered your own question in the first paragraph: Clowns.

Chris writes: Again, overall, Josh Heupel does a good job but a strong emphasis on good. He is just not the coach to get Tennessee to the elite level.

But that’s sort of what UT is in all sports now. Just good. With all of its resources – facilities, money (a lot of money) – good just sucks.

That’s the reality of Tennessee sports. And we all better get accustomed to it.

My response: Most Tennessee fans would have settled for good when Vanderbilt was running the Vols out of their own stadium in the second half on Nov. 29.

Dave writes: The new players from the “portal” who have been with other teams have no skin in the game and zero Volunteer pride. Vanderbilt did not have a better team. Their players just had more pride and effort as the game results confirmed.

My response: “Volunteer pride” might have left the building. But I believe Vanderbilt is a better team.

I just didn’t think it was good enough to win at Neyland Stadium. I was wrong.

Glenn writes: I wonder how Tony Vitello will be received by major league players playing for a manager who never played or coached in the majors prior to leading them. 

I would think managing a major league team is vastly more challenging than managing a college team.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out for him although we wish him the best.

My response: Vitello is a great communicator with good people skills. He will adjust to a different level of baseball.

My guess is the pros will enjoy playing for him just as college players did.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Josh Heupel, Lane Kiffin, Tony Vitello on Tennessee fans’ minds

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