[Editor's Note: What follows is the second in a new series of regular posts that you will start to see here on MSF called Wendell Willkie's Spam Cleansing (WWSC for short).
Throughout the day I participate in email conversations with friends about hot sports topics. One of my friends in particular is very active in these conversations. This is that friend.]
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Lane Kiffin… all hat, no cattle as my texas brethren would say.
How does Lane Kiffin score one of the premiere jobs in college football presenting a resume with more emptiness than wins?
Not to demean his accomplishments, but a 5-15 record in Oakland and a 7-6 record in Tennessee is hardly excellence especially considering the 7 wins in tennessee came against teams with an average of 5 wins on the season (including 3 teams with 2 wins or less).
Kiffin’s record as the OC at USC is noteworthy, but has anyone failed at USC during the Carroll regime? A greater accomplishment would have Kiffin managing a successful defense in an offense first conference.
Is it because Lane is the son of Monte? Is it because Al Davis’ only redeeming skill is identifying young head coaches — John Madden, Mike Shanahan and Jon Gruden?
Moreover, why has Lane left every coaching job dramatically? Has the lawsuit with Al Davis even been settled? Is this a statement of him or is the truth in the middle?
If you’re Lane do you not want to better understand the impending NCAA ruling?  Was Lane contemplating this move longer than believed? After all, the news of his decision came rather quickly following Carroll’s departure.
Did his youthful exuberance to climb the mountain out pace the requisite lessons to achieve and maintain a championship level program?
Every sage would tell the whipper snapper you NEVER want to follow the legend.  Even if you have success it will never be enough. Expectations need to first ground prior to building up again. Successful transitions are extremely rare and typically end in tears.
Call me crazy, but i suggest with great confidence Kiffin’s USC tenure will end along the lines Matt Doherty — or the youthful vigor who hastily shot up the coaching ladder and into the spotlight of another premiere program (UNC basketball).
* – Lane Kiffin photo credit: TruFan.com
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Who is Wendell Willkie? Wouldn’t you like to know.
The pseudonym was inspired by the very Wendell Willkie who is an Indiana University legend and democrat turncoat who ran for president against FDR in 1940; however, the man behind the pseuodonym shall otherwise remain nameless.
Jerod simply posts WW’s ramblings here to help unclog his inbox (hence, the spam cleansing) and because there are occasional nuggets of insight that provide good jumping off points for conversation.
So go, converse. WW will undoubtedly be back soon with more email ramblings…
