Love him, hate him, loathe him, despise him, there’s no denying that Lane Kiffin brings a certain middle-school swagger and Eddie Haskell-meets-buzzing-gnat aura to the big boy SEC coaching table.
In particular, Kiffin seems to take great joy -- even if it means going out of his way --- in taking a potshot or four at Urban Meyer and Florida whenever the situation allows. And, this week, the situation has allowed Kiffin to tee it up and take a big ol’ whack at the biggest of the big boys.
Again.
Speaking to media earlier today, Kiffin was asked to address two situations involving his BFF Meyer and his BFF’s program that have made a coupla headlines this week.
First, Kiffin -- part of the impetus behind new leagues mandates that could have coaches fined/suspended for public shots at SEC officials -- was questioned about Meyer seemingly criticizing officials this afternoon for a hit they didn’t call on quarterback Tim Tebow.
His answer?
“Urban Meyer?” Kiffin deadpanned according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. “Criticized the officials, wow, that will be interesting. We’ll see.”
(Pardon the interruption while we attempt to clean the smarminess and sarcasm off the screen.)
(There. Got it.)
Then, Kiffin was asked about the eye-gouging incident involving UF linebacker Brandon Spikes.
“I did see the rerun,” Kiffin said. “It was pretty bad but we’ll worry about our team and what we can control. We’ve got a lot of work to do. Obviously, he’ll discipline his team - or not - however he feels.”
OK, one more time, CliffsNotes-style:
“It was pretty bad ... he’ll discipline his team -- or not ...”
I don’t know about you, but I’m getting the feeling that this Meyer-Kiffin tiff ain’t going away for quite awhile. Now, once again, where’s my popcorn...