 "Photo: Wade Payne")
Clemson and Tennessee unveiled their new football coaches Monday, introducing the men who will lead two of Carolina's rivals for the foreseeable future.
After beating USC 31-14 on Saturday, Dabo Swinney had the "interim" tag removed from his title as Clemson announced that he will lead the Tigers for the 2009 season.
Swinney, 39, had been at Clemson as wide receivers coach since 2003 and was tapped to replace Tommy Bowden in October when the longtime Clemson coach stepped down. Since then, the Tigers have gone 4-2, including wins over USC and ACC Atlantic Division champions Boston College. The win over USC cemented his spot at Death Valley for the coming year.
"[Swinney] is one of the bright young coaches in America. He took over a very difficult situation for the last six games and showed me what type of coach and leader he is," Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips said Monday. "I was very impressed by the way the team responded to his leadership. That spoke volumes for his abilities. We are proud to have him represent Clemson as our head football coach."
Tennessee made national headlines by hiring 33-year-old Lane Kiffin to replace longtime coach Phil Fulmer, who was fired after a 27-6 loss to Carolina Nov. 1. Kiffin was eager to erase memories of recent disappointment for Volunteer fans.
"We're happy to get out in the community and give our fans what they want," Kiffin said at a press conference Monday afternoon.
Kiffin became the NFL's youngest-ever coach when Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis hired him in 2007. Kiffin lasted just more than a year, going 5-15 at the helm before personal tensions between Davis and himself led to Kiffin's firing in September. Kiffin, about six months younger than Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald, will be the youngest coach in Division I.
Before his time in Oakland, Kiffin spent six years as an assistant coach under Pete Carroll at Southern Cal, including serving as offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator in 2005 and 2006. Kiffin was instrumental in the recruitment and development of Heisman Trophy winners Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush.
Coaching at Tennessee looks likely to be a family affair for Kiffin, as his brother-in-law, USC quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator David Reaves, announced his resignation Sunday after seven years in Columbia, reportedly to take a position at Tennessee.
"We also appreciate the job David has done," USC coach Steve Spurrier said. "He had a wonderful opportunity presented to him and will be moving on. We wish him the best."
Kiffin is also rumored to be working on bringing his father, former N.C. State coach and legendary Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, to work under him as defensive coordinator at Tennessee. Monte Kiffin is most famous for popularizing the Cover 2 defense and coaching the outstanding defensive unit on the Super Bowl-winning team in 2003.
In other USC news, offensive line coach John Hunt, an assistant under Spurrier since 1999, has been let go.
"I don't agree with the decision, but I respect Coach Spurrier's decision," Hunt said. "I appreciate the opportunity he gave me. I enjoyed my time in South Carolina and wish the Gamecocks the best in the future."
Cornerbacks coach Shane Beamer will take over Reaves' job as recruiting coordinator. Beamer held that title with Mississippi State before leaving for USC.
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