Day One of the Kiffin Era #USC

Get it?

That didn’t take long. In his first news conference as USC head football coach Lane Kiffin told his first lie.

Either that, or he has no idea what his assistants are doing. Which is it? Dishonesty or incompetence? Does he think if he just says something that it makes it true, like a child's way of thinking? Say it enough times, it must be the truth? Or, as George Costanza says, “It’s not a lie if you believe it.”

Kiffin said he and his staff had not reached out to players who had already committed to Tennessee, only to find out that recruiting guru/assistant coach Ed Orgeron, had done exactly that. That exchange followed Kiffin’s claim that he would run a ‘clean’ program. Yep, clearly.

This is going to be good. The local media is not going to roll over for this guy; they already dislike him and they are looking to catch him in lies and half-truths, something he seems to specialize in.

Hey, I guess he can always fall back on his stellar record as head man: 5-15 with the Raiders and 7-6 at Tennessee, including a home loss to a bad UCLA team. That should make people settle down.

What baffles me is why he keeps talking? He’s not eloquent, funny, or charismatic. He doesn’t seem particularly bright or engaging. Maybe he is different in living rooms or on the phone, but the charm is lost on me. Dishonesty, shiftiness, and lack of eye contact aren't what I'm looking for. Never a great sign when the assistants are more composed and impressive than the guy in charge. Just because he looks like he knows what he's doing doesn't mean he does.

Kiffin was USC’s 4th, 5th, or 6th choice, depending on who you believe. They may have gotten lucky nine years ago when Pete Carroll fell into their laps after their first four choices said no, but Lane Kiffin is no Pete Carroll. Lane Kiffin is Paul Hackett only younger, less intelligent, and more greasy.