We all know Lane Kiffin’s departure as the head coach at Tennessee back in 2010 after just one 7-6 season for the head coaching job at USC ruffled more than a few feathers in Knoxville, and some of those emotions ended up boiling over with some colorful language directed at Kiffin and his family for some time afterwards.
Years later, when Lane Kiffin returned to Neyland Stadium for the first time as the offensive coordinator at Alabama, security had some major concerns for Kiffin’s safety according to a story he shared on Marty Smith’s America podcast.
Fast forward to the 17:15 mark to hear Kiffin tell the story of his return to Knoxville and how security urged him to wear a bulletproof vest.
“It was crazy. They were literally talking about from the bus in, a bulletproof vest – and I’m just like ‘C’mon guys. This is football.'”
“So they had security with me the whole way, even walking onto the field and stuff like that. But I was like – ‘I’m not wearing a vest guys. Alright? That’s a little bit too over-the-top.”
“But it was all fun. There was mean words said. Four letter words. But after that…that just speaks to how passionate Tennessee fans are. I think Phil Fulmer said it the other day, they’re the most passionate fans in the country.”
Hear that story, and more from Kiffin, in the clip.
