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Foley statement: No violations (UPDATED)

 |  February 5, 2009  |  15 Comments

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

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15 Comments so far

alaegator said...

You don’t tug on Superman’s cape...You don’t piss into the wind & You don’t mess with a man named Urban...just ask Richt. Hello Kiffin has done all three...in the future this will be the worst mistake known to mankind!

11:47 am | 5 February 2009 - #
tiogagator said...

Kiffen continues to target our staff and Coach Meyer in particular. His conduct is unprofessional and innapropriate. The UT should be required to formally apologize.

And then let’s look at Richardson’s recruiting and see if anyone violated any rules.

11:54 am | 5 February 2009 - #
pcolagator said...

you go, Jeremy! call Boy Blunder out! I pity that fool and his players ‘cos Coach Meyer will unleash the hounds on UT at the Swamp!

12:02 pm | 5 February 2009 - #
ufgatorfan100 said...

I hope we destroy UT on a yearly basis starting this season at the SWAMP. The Boy Blunder has ignited this rivalry and I hope to continue our dominance for many years to come. GO GATORS!!!

P.S. New Keys will regret his decision. He put us in a bad position and not able to pick up another WR is this class. Also, he put his coach in a bad situation who was shocked at this change of heart.

12:10 pm | 5 February 2009 - #
FLfan said...

I am thrilled that Foley took this route.
A public apology is absolutely in order.

Lane Kiffin, you are a fool.

12:19 pm | 5 February 2009 - #
G8rTodd said...

It is sad that UT has found it necissary to lie and misrepresent regulations to get recruits. I wonder how long it will be before Nu’Keese Richardson recognizes this and what his reaction will be. Lane Kiffin won’t have a long career in the SEC if his first reaction to recruiting presure is to lie to the recruits. Sad, I had enjoyed the rivalry and thought we benefited from playing top notch SEC schools. I expect this is the swan song for UT as a power in the SEC.

1:11 pm | 5 February 2009 - #
azipper said...

A lame apology from a lame UT coach.  That apology had as many falsehoods as Richt’s apology last year.  We know how Richt was handled and I forsee similar payback in UT’s future.

2:03 pm | 5 February 2009 - #
Back2Back2Back said...

Here’s why Kiffin is an arsecap.  He had all the time between when NewKeys was on his visit, knew that Meyer had called him, until this morning to MAKE SURE that was a violation.  He didn’t care to check or was misinformed.  This wasn’t a snap decision.  It was planned and he shouldn’ve checked the freaking rule book.

2:10 pm | 5 February 2009 - #
reagan said...

Either this guy is very stupid or he is not ready for prime time.

2:19 pm | 5 February 2009 - #
chalkb said...

I wonder how much of a deal Kiffin made about the phone call with Nukeese while he was on the UT campus?  Could he have told Nukeese that UF was going on probation because of this erroneous charge?  Could this have anything to do with Nukeese’s sudden change of heart?

2:25 pm | 5 February 2009 - #
navybear said...

What a BS apology… Very Sincere… A new clown in the SEC…

4:05 pm | 5 February 2009 - #
urbangirl said...

“IF” I’ve offended anyone?  IF, IF......ya think?  This guy needs a serious review of rules.  Somebody PLEASE recheck the test he supposedly passed on NCAA rules.  I think someone took it for him. Aside from this.........he shows a major lack of class/upbringing.

4:54 pm | 5 February 2009 - #
Jrod3542 said...

lol at aleagator!!

5:33 pm | 5 February 2009 - #
Jrod3542 said...

but you did forget the part about pulling the mask off the old lone ranger.. we can let it slip this time.

5:34 pm | 5 February 2009 - #
bdbass said...

Sing it with me:
You don’t tug on Superman’s cape,
You don’t piss into the wind,
You don’t mess with a man named Urban Meyer,
Just go ask Mark Richt
Do Do Be Do Be Do Be Do Do Do

3:21 am | 6 February 2009 - #

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