Titans’ Jeff Fisher Furious with Lane Kiffin’s Approach
The Tennessee Titans running backs coach, Kennedy Pola, has received a promotion by the University of Southern California (USC). Pola, who just had a season in which his player, Chris Johnson, rushed for over 2000 yards, is to become the new offensive coordinator under coach Lane Kiffin.
Titans coach and USC alumnus Jeff Fisher was not pleased at all with Kiffin’s approach as Fisher claimed he was uninformed of Kiffin’s interest in his assistant before the hiring was confirmed.
"I am very disappointed in Lane Kiffin's approach to this," Fisher told a Tennessee newspaper. "Typically speaking, when coaches are interested in hiring or discussing potential employment from coaches on respective staffs there is a courtesy call made from the head coach or athletic director indicating there is an interest in talking to the assistant.”
The Titans coach, who’s entering his 16th full season as the franchise’s head coach said: "I am very disappointed in the lack of professionalism on behalf of Lane, to call me and leave me a voicemail after Kennedy had informed me he had taken the job. It is just a lack of professionalism."
Reports say that the team will look to replace Pola by promoting from within the organization.
Kiffin has denied that he did anything unprofessionally as he tried to clear up the timeline in the sequence of events.
"We reached out to Kennedy Pola to gauge whether he had any possible interest in returning to USC before we moved forward with the process," Kiffin said. "Kennedy said he would think about it and get back to us today. Once Kennedy did call back earlier today, out of my great respect for Coach Fisher I immediately reached out to Coach to make him aware of the situation. I have spoken with Coach Fisher and he now has an accurate understanding of the timeline of events.”
USC certainly has made its share of headlines recently as they named a new athletic director last week and several of their players and alumni are now considered ineligible for their dealings with agents that go against NCAA rules. That list includes former Trojan and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush.
"We realize the timing of this isn't perfect for all parties, but this is a great opportunity and promotion for Kennedy."
USC has now tried to cut any ties with Bush as they removed his name from a mural, returned his Heisman, and removed his jersey display.
Former Trojans coach Pete Carroll left the college this offseason to take the head coaching job for the Seattle Seahawks. That’s when Lane Kiffin was asked to continue the school’s football tradition as the team is suspended from postseason play for two years.
Kiffin has not exactly made any friends in Tennessee. He may now be the most hated man to football fans in the state. First, he left the Tennessee Volunteers after last season to take the job at USC. He also left the University of Tennessee after one season, in which he led them to a 7-6 record and an appearance in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Now Tennessee’s NFL team has heated feelings toward the coach.
Kiffin also coached one season in the NFL. He was the youngest coach in NFL history at 31 years-old, coaching the Oakland Raiders during the 2008 season. He went 4-12 with the team and left after a public dispute with longtime Raiders owner Al Davis.
The Titans are now left in a tough spot after losing a great assistant in the midst of training camp. Certainly, the team has received the short end of the stick in this situation.
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