College Football Talk

ESPN.com is reporting that Tennessee Volunteers coach Lane Kiffin has agreed in principle on a deal to replace Pete Carroll at USC. Hopefully these sources are more reliable than the ones that said Jack Del Rio would be taking the job.

This is a nice little turnaround for Kiffin, whose career wasn’t looking all that promising after a difficult stint with the Oakland Raiders, followed by a year at Tennessee chock full of near-upsets, trash talking and alleged NCAA violations.  I’m not sure why that’s who USC would pick to inherit the program that Carroll appears to have left just in time to avoid NCAA sanctions for the Reggie Bush and Joe McKnight scandals.  But, regardless, the Trojans reportedly have their man.

Sources: Kiffin to USC

***UPDATE***

USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett confirms that Lane Kiffin has been hired as the Trojans head coach.  ESPN.com also now reports that a deal is being finalized to bring legendary offensive coordinator Norm Chow back to USC from UCLA.

Lane Kiffin bolts Tennessee to coach USC

***UPDATE…REACTIONS***

Rocky Top Talk – Fury in Tennessee over Kiffin’s role as “rebound girl”

Trojan Wire – Kiffin hire “pays recruiting gold”

Mark Schlabach – Kiffin’s decision a blessing for Vols

Pat Forde – USC latest proving ground for Kiffin

ESPN – College Football Nation Blog

***UPDATE…MORE REACTIONS***

Rocky Top Talk – Thank You, Lane Kiffin

Trojan Wire – Top recruits happy with hire; USC reportedly trying to snag Tennessee recruits

ESPN – Vols “disappointed” by Kiffin’s abrupt departure

Gene Wojciechowski – Kiffin cares only about himself

Mark Saxon – USC shows “suicidal recklessness or confident defiance” in Kiffin hire

Arash Markazi – Ex-Trojans thrilled

***UPDATE…NORM CHOW STYLE***

Norm Chow’s agent reportedly told ESPN that he has not been contacted about returning to coach at USC.  In fact, from reports that I read, it appears Chow and Kiffin didn’t get along at all (shocking considering how easy Kiffin is to get along with), so I’m not even sure where the story came from that he’d be courting Chow to work under him.

And I just want to take this update (which will probably be the last on this story) to say that Kiffin and Oregeron’s efforts to tell Tennessee recruits not to go to class so they can go to USC is disgusting.  I know many players commit to the coach and not the school, but telling kids not to go to class so you can rip them away from the school you ditched is just the latest on the list of classless actions by Kiffin.  Have fun with your new boy, USC.