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Why Spurrier did not apologize to Kiffin
Posted on 05.28.09
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OK, last thing on the Lane Kiffin-Steve Spurrier exchange (neither party is here anymore, but this story has legs).
If Kiffin is waiting for an apology from Spurrier for asking if the former SoCal assistant had passed the NCAA recruiting exam before calling prospects at UT, Kiffin will be waiting a while.
Why?
Because Spurrier doesn’t have to.
When Kiffin in February accused Florida coach Urban Meyer of breaking NCAA recruiting rules, his comments drew a public reprimand from SEC commissioner Mike Slive. Florida athletics director Jeremy Foley demanded an apology from Kiffin, who did in fact issue an apology.
After Kiffin’s reprimand, Tennessee officials apparently were curious why Spurrier did not receive a reprimand for his comments.
And it turns out what Spurrier pointed out to Kiffin here on the first day of the meetings – that he had not accused him of cheating but had asked whether he took the test – was enough of a distinction for the SEC office.
SEC spokesman Charles Bloom said Spurrier’s remark “didn’t rise to the level of a reprimand (public or private) because of the way he phrased it as a question.”
So Kiffin can use all this as a learning lesson from the Head Ball Coach: The next time he wants to accuse Meyer or anyone else of cheating, he should forego the declarative and phrase the allegation in the form of a question – Jeopardy style.
To other matters from Day 3 of the SEC spring meetings …
–Quiet day here as the coaches have all cleared out, including new Kentucky coach John Calipari, who is rumored to be on a slow boat to China while leaving Memphis on the fast track to NCAA probation.
–SEC commissioner Mike Slive is expected to announce another year of record revenues Friday … while pointing out ways the conference might look to cut costs. The real revenue spike will come in 2010 when the fistful of dollars rolls in from the SEC’s $3 billion (no, that’s not a typo) TV deals with CBS and ESPN.
Can’t you hear Slive now: “Gentlemen, here are the $17 million checks to take back to each of your schools. And we’re encouraging you to make your reservations early at the Sleep Inn for next year’s meeting.”
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