After Tennessee terminated the hiring of Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano as its next head coach, former Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin commented on the coaching vacancy.

Kiffin, in his first year at Florida Atlantic, led Tennessee to a 7-6 record in 2009 in his first season as head coach, but skipped out on the remainder of his contract to take the coaching job at Southern California. Kiffin wrote he was busy coaching his 9-3 team ahead of Saturday’s Conference USA Championship against North Texas.

"As Tennessee again finds itself engulfed in flames, Lane Kiffin waits by his phone," Kiffin wrote on Twitter. "Not waiting at all! Getting this team ready to win its 9th straight against a great North Texas team. Come to the championship here in Boca Dennis at #thefaU."

Kiffin's comment references a CBS Sports report from early Monday that claimed Kiffin was "waiting by his phone" for the call to return to the University. CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd write re-hiring Kiffin would actually stabilize the team.

Tennessee was reported to be in the process of hiring Schiano on Sunday afternoon, but student protests on campus and heated messages online caused the University to terminate the hiring process.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Ava Merrill of Johns Creek shot a record 15-under 201 to win the 96th Georgia Women's Amateur Championship at Dunwoody Country Club, July 2. (Courtesy of Kate Awtrey-King)

Credit: Kate Awtrey-King

Featured

The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC