How has Lane Kiffin done so far as UT's head football coach?
Peyton Manning can't answer that question.
The former Vol and current Indianapolis Colts quarterback said it will be at least 2 years before he can properly evaluate Kiffin, who was announced Dec. 1, 2008, as the 21st head football coach at Tennessee.
"Kind of what I've learned, it's kind of like when we draft players with the Colts," Manning said Monday morning at Fox Den Country Club during a break in a golf tournament fund-raiser. "Two weeks after the draft they say 'well how was the draft?' I used to be wrong. I used to say: 'this guy is great and on and on.'
"My answer now is ask me in 2 years. I'll tell you how we did in the draft. I think it's kind of that same way (with Kiffin)."
Manning met with Kiffin later in the afternoon. It was the second time Kiffin and Manning have met in person since Kiffin was hired.
Manning also worked out with current UT players.
"To be fair to Coach Kiffin, everybody is making a judgment either one way or the other already," Manning said. "I think we need to let Tennessee play some games this year and maybe not just necessarily this year. I know it's a long offseason and it's more time to talk and analyze.
"I'm trying to get to know Lane. I can tell from people I talk to how hard his staff works and how hard the players are working. They're excited, which is good. Everybody should be excited during this time. It takes some time to develop."
Manning said he first met with Kiffin in March during an event for former UT players to meet the new staff.
"I know he is excited," Manning said. "I know he's got a lot of work to do. It (the SEC) is a hard conference. The conference is like the NFL - it's just gotten so competitive. I know they're working hard, and I'm going to pull hard for them." (By Brad Gaskins) The SEC Rocks!
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