FLORIDA ACCUSES KIFFIN OF SLANDER, DEMANDS APOLOGY

Earlier today, Keith Arnold posted an item regarding the Al Davis-style rantings of Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin.Kiffin objected to the fact that Florida coach Urban Meyer called a recruit during his on-campus visit to Knoxville.“I love the fact that Urban had to cheat and still didn’t get him,” Kiffin said.The only problem? Urban didn’t cheat.”There is no rule that would prohibit Coach Meyer from calling a prospect at Tennessee on a Friday or Saturday during an official visit during a contact period,” Florida’s NCAA compliance director, Jamie McCloskey, told the Gainesville Sun. “There’s never been a rule. I’ve been doing this for a long time. Not only has there never been a rule, there’s never been a discussion about having a rule."Also, Athletics Director Jeremy Foley released the following statement, which reads like a verbal body slam of Kiffin:"There was no rule violation and we have confirmed this with the Southeastern Conference. It is obvious that Coach Kiffin doesn’t know that there is not a rule precluding phone contact with a prospect during an official visit on another campus during a contact period. His allegations are inappropriate, out of line and, most importantly, totally false. It is completely unfair to Urban Meyer, our coaching staff, our football program and our institution. The appropriate action at this time in my opinion is for Coach Kiffin to make a public apology."His comments not only slandered our coach, but he violated SEC rules by publicly criticizing another coach and institution."Yikes.Lane, welcome to the SEC.