In comparison with countless world tragedies, wars, threats and other major events, discussion of “Big Orange” football at the University of Tennessee and its prospects may seem trivial. But to countless Big Orange fans, and some other sports enthusiasts, Tennessee football is a subject of a great deal of interest and conjecture.
While the big UT campus offers educational opportunities to thousands of young people from Tennessee and beyond, the name of the football coach may be more familiar to many than the name of the president of the university. And changes occur.
There is surprise that UT football coach Lane Kiffin, who has been well received in the Volunteer State, is departing by his own decision after a very short tenure in Knoxville.
But that’s understandable in view of the fact that Coach Kiffin came to Tennessee with a background of several years as an assistant coach at Southern California — and now is going to become head coach at Southern Cal.
Kippy Brown, who has been an assistant coach at UT, has been named interim coach.
Now, all of the Big Orange fans, supporters (and detractors) will spend much of their time looking to the future. What are the prospects for coaches, players, schedules — and the wins and losses — that help make UT football such a popular subject?
It will be of great interest as changes take place, and as Big Orange footballers get ready for spring practice.
It isn’t far away.