Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley issued a statement Thursday afternoon in response to allegations by Tennessee’s rookie football coach Lane Kiffin accusing Urban Meyer of breaking NCAA rules. Kiffin claimed that Meyer broke NCAA rules by calling Nu’Keese Richardson on his cell phone while Richardson was in Knoxville.
“There was no rule violation and we have confirmed this with Southeastern Conference. 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.”
UPDATE:
SEC OFFICE REPRIMANDS KIFFIN
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive has issued a public reprimand to University of Tennessee head football coach Lane Kiffin for his public comments made earlier today.
“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.”
Later, Kiffin issued an apology:
“If I offended anyone at the University of Florida, including Mr. Foley and Urban Meyer, I sincerely apologize. That was not my intention.”—Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin