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Vols' Kiffin Reprimanded For Calling Meyer A Cheat

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Urban Meyer did not violate any rules about contacting a recruit, Florida's athletic director says. The SEC and the NCAA agreed.

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By MICK ELLIOTT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 5, 2009

Updated: 02/05/2009 05:23 pm

GAINESVILLE - The heat has been turned up on the Florida-Tennessee football rivalry.

New Volunteers coach Lane Kiffin called Florida's Urban Meyer a cheater, then felt the immediate wrath of the Gators, the SEC and even the NCAA.

Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley was the first to respond, pointing out that Kiffin only opened his mouth to put a foot in it, and the Tennessee athletic department quickly backed away from the accusation.

In addition, the Southestern Conference reprimanded Kiffin for making the allegation hours after the remarks surfaced, and Kiffin himself issued an apology Thursday afternoon.

"At an energetic breakfast with some of our donors and alumni I made a statement that was solely meant to excite the crowd," Kiffin said in a statement. "If I offended anyone at the University of Florida, including Mr. Foley and Urban Meyer, I sincerely apologize. That was not my intention."

Here's what happened:

Florida, the defending BCS national champion, and Tennessee were both in the hunt for receiver Nu'Keese Richardson of Pahokee, but the Vols finally landed him during Wednesday's signing day.

While announcing signings at a recruiting celebration, Kiffin announced a postscript to Richardson, telling attendees the Vols landed him despite recruiting violations by Meyer.

"I'm going to turn Florida in right now in front of you,'' Kiffin said. " Nu'Keese was here on campus (on his recruiting visit) and his phone kept ringing.

"One of our coaches said, 'Nu'Keese, who's that?' He said, 'Urban Meyer.'

"Just so you know, when a recruit is on another campus, you can't call him. I love the fact that Urban had to cheat and still didn't get him."

Sounds serious.

Except for one thing.

"There was no rule violation and we have confirmed this with Southeastern Conference,'' Florida's Foley said Thursday. "It is obvious that Coach Kiffin doesn't know that there is not a rule precluding phone contact with a prospect during an official visit on another campus during a contact period. His allegations are inappropriate, out of line and, most importantly, totally false.

"It is completely unfair to Urban Meyer, our coaching staff, our football program and our institution. The appropriate action at this time in my opinion is for Coach Kiffin to make a public apology.

"His comments not only slandered our coach, but he violated SEC rules by publicly criticizing another coach and institution."

Tennessee spokeswoman Tiffany Carpenter told The Associated Press the school would not file an official complaint to the NCAA.

The NCAA also released a statement saying Meyer's call was not a recruiting violation.

"It is not a violation of NCAA rules for a coach to contact a student athlete while they are on an official visit to another school," Christopher Radford, NCAA assistant director of public and media relations said in the statement to WVLT-TV in Knoxville. " I recommend contacting the SEC for conference rules regarding contact, but generally speaking, it is not a violation of NCAA rules. Bylaw 13.1.3 outlines the specific NCAA telephone contact rules."

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive reacted with a quick reprimand for Kiffin, hired after the Volunteers accepted Phil Fulmer's resignation late in the 2008 season.

In a statement, Slive said the following:

"Coach Kiffin has violated the Southeastern Conference Code of Ethics," Slive said. "SEC Bylaw 10.5.1 clearly states that coaches and administrators shall refrain from directed public criticism of other member institutions, their staffs or players.

"The phone call to which Coach Kiffin referred to in his public comments is not a violation of SEC or NCAA rules. We expect our coaches to have an understanding and knowledge of conference and NCAA rules."

Kiffin also took a shot at Alabama and its coach, Nick Saban. He chided the Crimson Tide for its bowl game loss to Utah and gloated about hiring former 'Bama assistant coach and lead recruiter Lance Thompson to the Volunteers.

"Nick Saban should have started his press conference (Wednesday) by saying, 'Our great class that we signed ... I'd really like to thank Lance (Thompson) because Lance signed eight of those guys,'" Kiffin said.

Tennessee plays at The Swamp and at Alabama this season.

Lane Kiffin's father, Monte, resigned as defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2008 season to join his son's staff at Tennessee.

Information from the Associated Press, as well as the Tribune and TBO.com staffs was used in this report

Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534.

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