The Apple Doesn't Fall Far

Readers of this space probably think I am obsessed with USC Coach Lane Kiffin. The following will do little to detract from that notion. From time to time I have chronicled some of his more questionable decisions and actions. I suppose some of my interest is linked to trying to somehow rationalize the behavior of the son because of the reputation of the father.

Monte Kiffin is widely considered to be one of the preeminent defensive coordinators in modern football, as well as one of the greatest defensive coordinators in NFL history. The inventor of the widely imitated "Tampa Cover 2" defense, Monte Kiffin's philosophy is one of the most influential in modern college and pro football. The respect with which he is spoken of by colleagues makes me think I am missing something.

I remember in 1995 the Saints acquired Kiffin Sr. to run the defense. The fact he lasted only one year actually had me gain some respect for him. In '95 the Saints were a mess and I read his "one and done" as a pro's pro getting away from a rinky dink organization. Remember he went on to join Gruden in Tampa and there they won a Super Bowl.

So where am I going with this....remember the dilemma was how did a respected pro like Kiffin Sr. have a cry baby/cheater son like Lane. Like Paul Harvey said "Now the rest of the story."

In 1960, the NCAA placed the University of Oklahoma on indefinite probation, which prohibited the football team from participating in bowl games and appearing on television. The NCAA investigation revealed that Bill Jennings, a former OU player and assistant coach, had received funds for recruiting athletes between 1952 and 1954. Jennings had moved on to coach at Nebraska, denied receiving money from Arthur R. Wood, an Oklahoma City accountant and OU booster.

Wood admitted that he and Jennings collaborated to help recruit players for the football team in 1953, the money was to help defray travel expenses for prospective athletes. The NCAA proposed to drop the probation charges if Wood divulged financial details of the recruiting fund. Wood refused to reveal the details, stating that doing so would be professionally unethical.

In his book, Presidents Can't Punt, OU President Dr. George Cross wrote:"In the spring of 1958 the department of Intercollegiate Athletics received a phone call, a letter and a visit from a Nebraska high school athlete named Monte Kiffin, who expressed an interest in attending Oklahoma. Later, by invitation from the boy's parents, OU coaches visited with the family at his home." Legendary coach Bud Wilkinson, after the visit, said he had encouraged the boy to attend Nebraska.

"Wilkinson later received a letter from Jennings in which he said that if Kiffin enrolled at Oklahoma, it would be necessary for him, Jennings, to give information to the NCAA which he had withheld at the time of the investigation in 1954."

So the college football program, that owns the record for the longest winning streak, was put on probation for recruiting violations. Not an earth shattering revelation. However, that the center of this recruiting battle between two heavyweights was Monte Kiffin, is just too perfect. In one swipe a recruit got a little payola from the Sooners and the scholarship from the Cornhuskers. The hometown team got the player and the rival got probation.

I guess Lane learned from the best.