No Freedom of Speech for Kiffin

Lane Kiffin wants to speak up. Really, he does. 

But for once, the coach won't.

Kiffin was threatened with suspension Monday after criticizing the officiating at the end of the Vols-Alabama game.  

The outspoken Tennessee head coach is mum.  And it's killing him.

I asked Kiffin Tuesday if the suspension threat by SEC commissioner Mike Slive would make him pause now before speaking. I squirmed a bit when, before answering, Kiffin just stared.  

"Like this pause right here?"  The coach smiled. 

" I am not going to get into it. I am excited about this match-up with South Carolina. And, as hard as it is for me to do, I am not going to get into it."  He paused again, and then said...

"I'd like to."

And I believe him.  

It's too bad Kiffin has been silenced on the week the Vols face Steve Spurrier.

The South Carolina coach used to be the posterboy for crass comments in college football.  By today's standards, Spurrier got away with murder when he was hurling insults at UT during the mid-1990s.

But there's a new sheriff in town, and Slive's taken a firm hand.

And we're all wondering what Kiffin really thinks.