Report: former Raiders coach Kiffin set to take over Vols

Sports Network | November 28, 2008

Knoxville, TN (Sports Network) - Former Oakland Raiders head coach Lane Kiffin has reportedly agreed in principle to take over the coaching duties at the University of Tennessee.

According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, the announcement is expected to take place in the next few days.

Kiffin would replace longtime head coach Phillip Fulmer, who announced earlier this month he would not return for an 18th season with his alma mater.

The 33-year-old Kiffin was let go by the Raiders on October 1 after Oakland got off to a 1-3 start this year. He had a 5-15 record in a season and a half with the Silver and Black, leaving in a bitter war of words with Raiders owner Al Davis.

Prior to taking over the Raiders, Kiffin was the offensive coordinator at the University of Southern California from 2001-2004.

The Vols are just 4-7 this season, including 2-5 in the SEC heading into Saturday's season-finale against Kentucky.

Since being named head coach in 1992, Fulmer has a record of 151-52 with two SEC titles. He also guided the Vols to the 1998 national championship, the school's first since 1951.

Tennessee has been to 15 bowl games in Fulmer's first 16 seasons, missing out only in 2005 with a 5-6 record. Nine times his teams have reached double-digit wins.