High School Coach Says Lane Kiffin Has “Shady” Recruiting Tactics
By Josh Hill
If there is a singular figure in college football that can instantly divide a room of fans, it’s USC head coach Lane Kiffin. Son of an NFL coaching legend, Lane Kiffin has proven that the apple does indeed fall far from the tree (although Bucs fans will attest to the fact that the apple fell very close to the tree).
Kiffin destroyed the football program at Tennessee in one season by pretty much being a loud-mouthed idiot but moved on to USC before he himself had to pay a penalty. It was this very act that drew the line in the sand when it came to people pro-Kiffin and anti-Kiffin. But while some just say Tennessee fans are lashing out due to a notable hometown bias, one high school coach took to Twitter to say Kiffin’s still s sleezeball when it comes to recruiting players.
When people are desperate, their true colors show. Take the USC coach, captain of an underachieving ship. His true color: SHADY! #goKylie
— Kurt Bruich (@CoachBruich) January 11, 2013
Redlands East Valley High School head coach Kurt Bruich called Kiffin out for going back on his word regarding one of his players committing to USC for next season. Kyle Fitts is a four-star defensive end prospect that played his senior season last year for Bruich, and graduated in June of 2012.
Fitts committed to USC back in April of 2012 and planned on enrolling at USC this month with the idea that he’d begin college in the spring. On January 5th, Fitts met with coaches from USC at this year’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl, who said they were looking forward to having him play for them this upcoming season.
But on January 7th, Fitts was told by USC that they won’t have a roster spot available for him in the spring and that his scholarship had been pushed back to the fall semester. Not only would Fitts not be playing for the Trojans, he’d have to wait even longer to begin his college education.
Due to the sudden change of heart but USC, Fitts has de-committed and will now be attending either Washington, UCLA, Tennessee or Notre Dame.
Should Fitts pick Notre Dame, he’d be the second USC player since November to switch their commitment from the Trojans to the Irish. USC lost safety max Redfield to the Trojans back in November and two other players have since left as well.
Not only can Lane Kiffin consider East Valley High School off-limits when it comes to recruiting, but it’s yet another blemish on an already shady record for the college coach — a college coach who has yet to win a meaningful game in his career.