All sorts of rumors are flying about in Big Orange Country about Lane Kiffin.  Numerous websites, blogs, and news organizations are reporting that Smilin’ Mike has already offered the Tennessee coaching job to the 33 year-old former head coach of the Los Angeles Raiders.

Could this be Tennessee's next head coach?

In response, Mike Hamilton publicly stated that he had not offered Kiffin the job.  According to the Knoxville News Sentinel Hamilton stated:

We have not offered the job to anybody.  If anybody has said that, that would be incorrect information.

Our process is fluid.  I understand there is a lot of interest in what’s going on. It would not surprise me that people would want to talk about these kinds of things.  The process is not over.

— Courtesy of the Knoxville News Sentinel

What Hamilton did not say was that he had not already made a decision, even though a formal offer had not yet been extended…

I find this all a bit troubling, considering that this weekend is supposed to be about honoring our current coach, as opposed to spinning the rumor mill about who our next coach will be.

Either way, I agree with Mike Hamilton that there it is understandable that people are interested.  After all, I suppose I am writing about why it bothers me that so many people are writing about it (now you are beginning to understand why I became a lawyer).

One way or the other, here are a few of the noteworthy stories flying about at present:

• Dave Hooker and the News Sentinel report that Kiffin has not been offered the job.
• According to the folks at the Pigskin Pathos, Jimmy Hyams is reporting that it is already a done deal, which mirrors the report from MrSEC.com, from Will at SESB, and other rumors of a Creamsicle Orange Scuttlebutt.
• For what it is worth, the Cincinnati Enquirer says that Brian Kelly—head coach for the Cincinnati Bearcats who has been mentioned as a possible candidate—is more than happy to stay right where he is.
• Of course the fans on the message boards over at Smash South Sports and VolNation are going nuts over the news—some even doing their part to “encourage” Mike Hamilton visually:

A subliminal message posted by my friends at the "King" of Tennessee Message boards.

• Some are asking why Tennessee would want Kiffin, while others more preoccupied with whether Bob Kesling might leave the Vol Network.
• The whole thing has Ghost of Neyland speaking as if possessed, while Joel and Hooper are going to run out of webspace at the rate they keep posting Fanshots.

Meanwhile, I’m just wondering what it could be like to have a head coach only one year older than me?

– Go Figure …

Contributions and Leads Courtesy of: Rocky Top Talk

Images Courtesy of: SI.com • SmashSouthSports.com

About the Author:  "Lawvol" -- I'm just a guy living in North Carolina who has an unnatural fascination with the color orange. Just because I'm a Tennessee alum and die-hard Volunteer fan doesn't mean that I can't poke a little fun at the Big Orange and anybody else for that matter. Feel free to complain all you want. >> Read more from this author

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