Lane Kiffin Pre-Press Conference Drama

Thing is, Bud didn't act like a messenger, especially with his "You're in our room" quote.

If he had been apologetic, like, "I'm sorry, but these are Lane's rules," instead of trying to act like he was everyone's boss, then I'd be more sympathetic to him.

The Poynter guy should have done more research rather than just complain about Kiffin's contract. If he did, he'd know that most big-time coaches have shoe endorsement deals and TV contracts. To me, it reads like, "Ooh, I know how to find a state employee's contract!"

 

I'm waffling where I stand on this because I don't know whether Kiffin was going to take questions if there weren't TV cameras running. The AD said "You know he won't take any questions" but I don't know if he meant that only if the cameras were running or period, no questions. If there were no questions period, then all Kiffin wanted was a rehearsal with no TV of his prepared statement which he then would have just repeated for the camera.

 

My guess is he was going to appeal to the beat writers, let them know he's really not that bad of guy and remind them how accessible he's been and stuff. Basically butter them up so they'd take it a little easier on them.

But we'll never know.

 

I got the feeling Kiffin wasn't going to take questions regardless. That's why I think the TV guy just should have agreed to it right away to get it over with. It sure looked to me like Kiffin was not going to take questions, because they didn't even bill it as a news conference. It was called something else as I recall.

 

A media opportunity.

 

I think what I might have done is just said, "Oh OK, Bill." And take it anyway. In fact, I've done that -- not in a live situation, but I've been told not to roll and did anyway.

What's anybody gonna do - sue?

And the good photogs know how to roll without looking like they're rolling. A guy I used to work with had it down to an art - "OK, camera off." as he flips a switch on the camera. Never mind that you don't stop rolling with a switch - it's a button.

So after taking it live, if Bill were to give me a hard time (doubtful since everybody's mad at Kiffin now), I'd plead ignorance or say, "My boss made me do it." And it's pretty much forgotten.

I see Ace and I are on the same page again. Let's just start our own news org.

The way that some of you have suggested "covering" the audio with b-roll and mugs is laughable. Where can I send your Emmy? : If you can't understand why it would be important for a television journalist to have raw video of the man's face... of his fucking untucked shirt at the moment he speaks... you have no concept of what live television is all about, or journalism for that matter.

But I suppose in a perfect world, it would have been nice if the TV guy didn't make such a spectacle. His job is ultimately to get the best, whole story he can. In retrospect, quietly disobeying orders might have been the best course... but you can't always think of that shit in the heat of it.

 

For starters, that little tally light on the front of the camera that tells you when it's on? It has an "off" switch.

 

Right. ;D PC, I'm trying to think of how possible it is to be inconspicuously live.

I'm assuming they were already cabled to the truck when they got the news from Bill that they weren't supposed to do it. Would anyone know if the presser were being taken live?

 

Which Knoxville station would have been up for an Emmy for its coverage of Lane Kiffin's exit interview?

 

I'm not sure what you're asking, but Emmys are indeed given for coverage of live events.

 

Not that one.