Say this for new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin: He doesn’t mind stepping on toes, which just might be a prerequisite if you’re going to have any prayer of surviving in the SEC recruiting wars.
Already, Kiffin has drawn the ire — in some way, shape or form — of South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier, Florida’s Urban Meyer and Alabama’s Nick Saban.
Some pretty big names, huh?
Among them, they have four national championships and 10 SEC championships to their credit.
They’re also three of the guys Kiffin needs to beat on the recruiting trail (along …

 
When Phillip Fulmer talks about Tennessee, it’s with only the slightest hint of acrimony.
One reason he didn’t accept the university’s offer to serve as special assistant to President John Petersen, he said, was because it was hard for him to be around Rocky Top after his dismissal as coach.
On Monday, the second-winningest coach in UT football history (150-51 record) was the featured speaker at the America Football Coaches Association’s President’s Breakfast at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, where he told the gathering of peers that he doesn’t regret his …

For the 22nd straight year, the University of Tennessee will be represented in the Under Armour Senior Bowl. Running back Arian Foster, defensive end Robert Ayers and offensive guard Anthony Parker have all accepted invitations to the 60th game on January 24, bowl officials announced Friday. Kickoff for the Under Armour Senior Bowl is slated for 7 p.m. (ET) in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium and the game will be televised by the NFL Network.
Foster, the team’s leading rusher in 2008, finished the season with 570 yards on 131 carries. A …

With the addition of Jim Chaney as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator, Lane Kiffin’s coaching staff is beginning to take shape.
Chaney has accepted the job and a formal announcement should come in the next few days, a source within UT’s program told the News Sentinel on Wednesday.
Chaney, 46, is a native of Warrensburg, Mo., who played college football at Central Missouri State. He was part of Scott Linehan’s initial Rams staff in 2006, serving as assistant offensive line coach in 2006 and 2007 before moving to tight ends in 2008.
Before coming to …

New Orleans Saints assistant and former Mississippi coach Ed Orgeron is returning to the Southeastern Conference as part of Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin’s staff.
Tennessee announced Friday that Orgeron will work as an assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach.
The Larose, La., native spent the last season as the defensive line coach for the Saints after being fired as Mississippi coach after three seasons. He has also worked as an assistant at Miami, Syracuse and Southern California.
Orgeron and Kiffin worked together as assistants under USC coach Pete Carroll from …

For the first time since 1989, John Chavis won’t be coaching at Tennessee. But when the 2009 season kicks off next fall, UT’s longtime defensive coordinator will likely remain in the SEC.
Chavis, 52, is expected to be defensive coordinator at LSU, a source close to the situation confirmed Monday.
A formal announcement could come this week, likely after the Tigers face Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Wednesday.
Chavis, who according to the source turned down an offer earlier this month to become Clemson’s defensive coordinator, declined comment when reached by …

Former Vol Jerod Mayo firmly answered everyone who criticized the Patriots for taking him with the 10th pick in April’s draft by winning The Associated Press 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Mayo was a nearly unanimous choice, earning 49 of 50 votes Wednesday from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. He was the outstanding performer on a linebacking corps that often struggled during New England’s 11-5 season, leading the team in tackles.
“I knew when they first called my name at the draft …