For those looking for Lane Kiffin to swing the suspension hammer on three of his players arrested last week, he’s done one better.
The Tennessee head coach has kicked two of them from the football program.
According to a press release just issued by the school, Kiffin has dismissed wide receiver Nu’Keese Richardson and defensive back Mike Edwards less than a week after they were arrested and charged with three counts each of attempted armed robbery.
As for the third player facing the same charges -- safety Janzen Jackson -- Kiffin has not yet decided his fate as he gathers additional information. He will remain away from the team and barred from team activities as the probe continues.
Here’s the full text of the school’s statement:
University of Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin announced Monday that freshman wide receiver Nu’Keese Richardson and defensive back Mike Edwards have been permanently dismissed from the football team.
“After extensive and thorough research of the situation over the last four days and considering various disciplinary options, I’ve decided it’s in the best interest of our program to remove Nu’Keese and Mike,” Kiffin said. “As I’ve said many times before, we hold our student-athletes to an extremely high standard on and off the field. Our student-athletes must be responsible members of society, and this type of conduct will not be tolerated.
“We want a positive culture for our student-athletes that allows them to succeed in the classroom, on the field, and in life after college. My hope is that these two young men will learn from their terrible decision. Clearly, their actions have no place in our program.”
Janzen Jackson will continue to not be allowed to participate in team activities while Kiffin awaits additional information.