Kiffin, the coach, with his own style and his own likes and his own dislikes. His system, a round...

Kiffin, the coach, with his own style and his own likes and his own dislikes. His system, a round hole.

Damien Thigpen, the player, with his own attributes and his own strengths and his own weaknesses. His abilities, a square peg.

"I don't know what the story is there," Neuheisel said. "They've got one side of it, Damien has another side of it. I just know we're glad he's here. At the end of the day, everybody needs to go where they're wanted and where they'll flourish. I can guarantee you that Damien Thigpen will flourish here."

Damien Thigpen Profiled In The Daily News

over 2 years ago Nestor 8 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

This happened with several prospects last year

And several were higher touted (and more needed!) than Thigpen! While is does have us scratching our coon-skin-cap-covered heads, it’s the general consensus that we do respect Lane for being honest with recruits about his intent for them, and as they aren’t his recruits we can forgive that.

Thigpen, I wish you the best at UCLA. Once a Volunteer, always a Volunteer ;-) (Well, as long as you don’t leave us for freaking kentucky!!)

I got punk'd by UT's Athletic Department.

by bobo_the_vol on Sep 10, 2009 5:59 AM PDT reply actions

I respect Tennessee

but don’t respect Lane. Whether its going of for it on 4th and 4 in his own territory after establishing a large lead against WKU, or his classless talk, or hiring the dirty Ed O, there is little to respect about him character wise. He did a great job getting the right dad, but other than that, I haven’t seen him accomplish anything. He took over at SUC after Norm Chowd did the offensive work to win the BCS trophy for them and the offense started misfiring and was never as good again. His time with the raiders was a disaster.

I think Tennessee, which has classy fans, is going to be gravely disappointed by the Lame Era.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Sep 10, 2009 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Rofl

He did a great job getting the right dad

I couldn’t help but think: “wasn’t that his mom’s job?”

I got punk'd by UT's Athletic Department.

by bobo_the_vol on Sep 10, 2009 7:34 AM PDT reply actions

His Dad.

I’m still laughing. Looks like his dad might also help them win this week. I’d like our odds more if Monte wasn’t around.

by Bruin'96 on Sep 10, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions

The Thigpen deal is puzzling to me.

Lane seems to have a pretty clear idea how he wants to go forward (setting all arguments of effectiveness aside); telling Thigpen he wasn’t ideal, much like telling Tajh Boyd, wasn’t done just to prove a point. And even though Kiffin got Nu’Keese Richardson later on, that wasn’t even a consideration at the time Thigpen was advised to look elsewhere. In many ways, those two are very similar, so I’m not sure the difference.

Whatever it was, it seemed to work out for everybody. UCLA got a guy that will fit in very nicely, UT got Nuke, and Florida was minus a recruit on National Signing Day. So both UT and UCLA ended up in the black.

And no Vols fan has any ill will toward Thigpen. Best of luck to him, this weekend aside.

by David Hooper on Sep 10, 2009 1:31 PM PDT reply actions