Abandoned

it would be funny if Michael Vick was walking off with the dog Ha Ha.

If my memory serves me correctly, Kiffin was a bit of a 'stretch' (and possibly joke) when he was first announced as the new coach. So, why all the uproar now??

Let's review here. A 7-6 season and a "Bowl" loss.... So, what are we losing??

Any mediocre coach could fill those shoes. And, if there is still a good coach out there just waiting for the chance at greatness, now's the time and this is the place....

Just don't give the keys to Neyland Stadium to just anyone. Remember, the price of regular oranges will be going up this year due to all of the recent cold weather. Let's not add insult to injury.

Wishing all Volunteers well, Woody

I'm not even a Vols fan (ROLL TIDE!!!) but I'm glad to see Kiffin go. I hate to see any team in the SEC demoralized like that. I hope they find someone who can turn UT around.

Okay...okay...let me say 'this' is a good one. Thought I'd say that since you usually 'fire' me up when you trash my beliefs. So...there...got it out...outstanding cartoon! Phew...that was hard to do....

Very nice cartoon, Clay.

You are now officially a Tennessean. While the rest of the world is concerned over the devastating earthquake in Haiti, we're more distressed about the impact of the UT football coach's departure.

With that off my chest, I do have to say good riddance to Coach Kiffin. Like every other Vols fan, I feel as abandoned and betrayed as Smokey looks in this cartoon, but if this is an indication of Lane Kiffin's sense of loyalty and commitment, maybe we're better off without him.

What school did Fulmer leave for?

Oh wait...

Vol fans should be celebrating! Although it won't happen I hope Kippy Brown becomes the head coach. Maybe next time "Thunder" Thornton, Allan Jones, and the other "Fat Cats" who actually run the UT Athletic Dept. will make a better choice.

Is UT football coach the highest paying public sector job in Tennessee? Are any positions outside of sports in similar compensation catagories?

Smokey and the rest of TN players and fans will be fine. WonderBoy was never a Vol and could never have carried himself with the tradition of "Class" that is revered in SEC sports. So, now we have a footbal team and two basketball teams who will show the SEC and others that integrity and commitment are more powerful than any 'image'. Win or lose, their blood still runs ORANGE. That is what we fans should be most proud to support.

Ollie writes:

"While the rest of the world is concerned over the devastating earthquake in Haiti, we're more distressed about the impact of the UT football coach's departure."

13 January 2010: A 7.0 magnitude quake rocked Port-au-Prince last night, with many feared dead. WARNING: gallery includes images of the dead and injured http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/gallery/2010/jan/13/haiti-earthquake?picture=358031930

Times Online January 14, 2010 Race against time for Haiti earthquake aid http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6987771.ece

Interesting that both websites are in the UK, InspectorB, with none here...says a lot about our mainstream media, doesn't it?

But then, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and so on come and go -- but the Vols ever remain...

Side question: What does SEC stand for? Here I always thought it was the Securities Exchange Commission...silly of me, I know. [SouthEast Conference?? Or is that a different sport?]

I didn't like the hire from the beginning. For us, he was a hired gun. No ties to the region or the school. No real regard or understanding for Tennessee tradition.

I think he was an effective coach and a heck of a recruiter. Who knew Crompton could actually be a decent quarterback?

But people with no real ties, like many hired guns, often leave without apparent regard for shape of the place they left behind.

Perhaps the Vols have reconfirmed an old philosophy of recruiting coaches. Maybe they won't make the same mistake again for a long time.

"Interesting that both websites are in the UK, InspectorB, with none here...says a lot about our mainstream media, doesn't it?"

Yes, Rolando, the juxtaposition of what is "urgent news" is jarring. O mores o tempora &c.

I was glad to hear that Bill Clinton was spending his (considerable) energies in Haiti.

Former President Clinton On Haitian Quake http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122540788

Obviously, after the damaging claims about Bill's affairs and Hillary's presumption published in Game Change, it is an opportune time for the Clintons to be out of the country and changing the news cycle.

But if it can draw a greater good and healing to that woeful country of Haiti, I say send on Tiger Woods, Lane Kiffin, and President Clinton and anybody else who can use hands and voices.

You know, InspectorB, it wasn't dislike that I held for W. Clinton -- it was disappointment.

At the beginning, I could have supported him; even cheered him on. The man was a moderate Democrat with tremendous potential...and he essentially wasted it during his presidency. His initial mistake, IMO, was making his wife anything but First Lady...it was probably Hobson's Choice...but in any case, she overstepped her bounds and he started losing it there.

Finally, after considerable other issues, his dalliances caught up with him and his perjury was the last straw. Water under...etc., etc.

It is good to see him doing good...especially out-of-country.

Good riddance Kiffin. The best part of this whole thing is that the deplorable Ed Orgeron is gone too. That guy was creepy.

Go Vols, and best of luck finding the next coach. Better days are ahead. The Vols will find a coach that fathers will want to send their sons to play for.

Can't wait to meet USC in some major bowl game a few years from now so we can humiliate Kiffin and crew.

Walden, so are you a displaced Tennessean? Chattanoogan?

"It is good to see him doing good...especially out-of-country."

Agreed, Rolando.

President Clinton's convincing presentation of the dire humanitarian situation in Haiti has left me realizing the "wasted" potential of his presidency.

And here is the other news about Bush & Clinton co-chairing the relief, which I actually did not know when I posted above:

JANUARY 14, 2010, 5:10 P.M. ET Bush to Co-Chair U.S. Haiti Efforts http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704281204575003433920577398.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_5

That is better news than I had hoped, and I hope this helps the Haitian people.

Smokey should be hiking his leg on Kiffin!

Kiffin hasn't proved anything as a coach but he is one heck of a salesman.

Testing!