“The kids.”
It’s the go-to term used by whiners to paint Lane Kiffin as a big, bad, mercenary football coach. In taking the USC job after one season at Tennessee, Kiffin is abandoning “the kids” he recruited, “the kids” he promised to spend four years with, “the kids” that he vowed to have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.
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Seriously, every time we hear “the kids,” it should cue a chorus of violins. Oh, woe, are “the kids” of the Tennessee football program, wandering the wilderness in search of their coach.
Why is it that every time a college football or basketball coach leaves a program for greener pastures, it becomes all about “the kids”?
Hey college fans, get over it.
Coaches moving on to higher-paying, higher-profile jobs are a sign of the times. The stakes are higher than ever in big-time college sports. With it comes more competition — for coaches and players.
And it’s a two-way street. More players are de-committing from schools than ever. Maryland landed a stud linebacker this week, Javarie Johnson (Dunbar), who had made a verbal commitment to Miami.
How does Miami feel about this “kid”?
There’s plenty to debate on Kiffin’s hiring. It seems ludicrous that USC would bring back its former recruiting coordinator, who was in place during the period under which the program is currently under investigation.
But don’t blame Kiffin. What was he supposed to do? Ignore his alma mater? Ignore one of the top five jobs in his profession? Ignore Malibu beach?
So don’t blame Kiffin. Blame the system. And please don’t trot out “the kids.”
