Tony Vitello mentioned many people in his statement Oct. 23 about leaving as Tennessee baseball coach to manage the San Francisco Giants.
There was comedian Leanne Morgan, Grizzlies star Ja Morant and Tennessee legend Peyton Manning.
He also mentioned Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin, who was Tennessee’s coach for one season.
“It’s the right decision and I just hope it doesn’t give me Lane Kiffin status around here, because I feel like I’m a VFL,” Vitello said in the statement. “I think if someone truly invests in being a VFL for any amount of time, they’re just that — a Vol For Life. That’s what I am in my mind.”
Why did Lane Kiffin leave Tennessee?
Kiffin led Tennessee to a 7-6 record in what turned out to be his only season as the Vols coach in 2009.
When the Southern Cal job opened up, Kiffin took it on Jan. 12, 2010.
An estimated crowd of 1,000 fans gathered on the UT campus to protest Kiffin’s decision to leave, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Fans burned Lane Kiffin T-shirts, a mattress and chanted obscenities.
Lane Kiffin to Florida rumors continue
Kiffin is in the news again for another possible job change. He continues to be a favorite in media speculation about who will replace fired Billy Napier at Florida.
On Oct. 19, Kiffin was asked about the Florida job and Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter’s recent comments about wanting to extend Kiffin’s contact.
“I don’t comment on these other jobs or these ongoing things in-season,” Kiffin said. “That’s awesome that Keith said those things and I don’t take that for granted. I’m extremely appreciative of how everyone has been here. The chancellor (Glenn Boyce), everybody. I’m flattered that that would even be discussed halfway through the season, but I don’t deal with that.”
No. 8 Ole Miss (6-1, 3-1) plays at No. 11 Oklahoma (6-1, 2-1) on…
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