Lane Kiffin denies USC players held meeting; USC players say otherwise
Lane Kiffin seems to have been caught being dishonest with the media once again.
The USC Trojans football coach, whose head is wanted by the school’s fans, denied that the Trojans players held a players-only meeting on Sunday, the day after the team’s embarrassing 10-7 loss to Washington State. Kiffin denied this despite understanding that it was a PLAYERS-ONLY meeting and that the meeting could have taken place without his knowledge.
Three different reporters covering the team said Kiffin denied that a players-only meeting took place. OC Register reporter Rich Hammond was somewhat forgiving to Kiffin, noting that the coach said he didn’t think it happened.
USC held a players-only meeting Sunday, something Kiffin said he didn’t think had happened.
— Rich Hammond (@RegisterUSC) September 11, 2013
Both LA Daily News reporter Scott Wolf and FOX/Scout reporter Lindsey Thiry say USC wide receiver Marqise Lee emphasized it was a players-only meeting.
Marqise Lee said Lane Kiffin incorrect about players only meeting not happening. "Kiffin don't know," Lee said #USC
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) September 11, 2013
Kiffin said there was no players-only meeting on Sunday. Marqise Lee just told us there was, "PLAYERS ONLY" Lee joked as he broke the news.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) September 11, 2013
Now the best part is that Wolf spoke with two other Trojans players who contradicted Kiffin about the meeting. Wolf says Devon Kennard and Hayes Pullard both said the meeting took place.
So whose word do you believe? Three players who all say they had a meeting, or Kiffin, who says nothing took place? I’m guessing Kiffin tried to keep it quiet to create the illusion that there is not a panicked situation with his team.
There really is no logic behind Kiffin’s moves. This is the same guy who wouldn’t let the media know his quarterback plans all offseason long, as if he were hiding some huge secret. That secret was so important to keep because he couldn’t let everyone know that the offense would only be scoring 7 points at home against Wazzu, apparently.