Kiffin sends sparks flying in Knoxville

New University of Tennessee head Coach Lane Kiffin is intent on letting every coach in the Southeastern Conference know he won't be intimidated.Kiffin's first jab at fellow SEC coaches came during the official press conference at which he was presented as the man who would replace Phillip Fulmer. Kiffin said he was excited about coaching the SEC and was even more excited about singing "Rocky Top" all night long after the Vols beat Florida in 2009.

It's worth nothing the Vols haven't beaten Florida since 2004, and the last time they beat the Gators in Gainesville was 2003. Those losses include a 59-20 loss to the Gators in 2007 and a 30-6 beating in Knoxville last year.

The most publicized shot from Kiffin came during a booster meeting in Memphis. Kiffin, during his address to the audience, wasn't shy about pointing out a possible infraction of the NCAA's recruiting rules committed by Gators head coach Urban Meyer.

"This is a recruiting violation," he said. "I'm going to turn Florida in right here in front of you. As Nu'Keese (Richardson) was here on campus, his phone keeps ringing. So, one of our coaches is sitting in the meeting with him. He says, 'Who's that?' He looks at the phone and says, 'Urban Meyer.' Just so you know, when a recruit is on another campus, you can't call a recruit on another campus. I love the fact that Urban had to cheat and still didn't get him."

As it turns out, there is no such rule prohibiting a coach from contacting a recruit while that player is visiting another school.

University of Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley was quick to defend his coach.

"His allegations are inappropriate, out of line and, most importantly, totally false. It is completely unfair to Urban Meyer, our coach staff, our football program and our institution," Foley said.

While some may view this attention as negative publicity for the football program and the University of Tennessee, Kiffin sees it a different way. Kiffin actually relishes the idea of being in the media spotlight because, in his eyes, it will bring notoriety to the program.

"The players that we need to recruit that are freshmen, sophomores and juniors are seeing our colors and our logos, and that helps us out tremendously down the road," Kiffin said.

It's only April, and already excitement and anticipation are in the air. The Vol Nation continues to grow evermore restless with the promise of a new season, a new attitude and success.

The key is in the ignition for the Vols, but whether the engine will turn over is another question entirely.