Kiffin, Pittman Contrast in Styles When It Comes to SEC Recruiting

Steal Momma's heart, or steal one right off an opposing coach's doorstep? Which is more effective?

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Dec 16, 2023 9:02 AM EST
Original:
Dec 9, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – It's been interesting watching Arkansas coach Sam Pittman and newly minted offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino zip around from house to house, meal to meal hoping to cement relationships over broken bread. It's got a wholesome aura to it that feels safe. Like Santa Claus, but with fried catfish instead of cookies.

It's an image that stands in stark contrast to what Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has done lately. His whirlwind tour across the country with image after image of airports, floor mats and other teams' names showing up in photos slapped across various objects has to be the stuff of nightmares for coaches who dared leave their university to recruit. With each photo another coach curses while his heart drops a little at the same time.

He's not popping up in places like Pine Bluff, Fayetteville, College Station and Gainesville, Florida because he's looking to bring Christmas cheer. He's there to wreck havoc on rosters and recruiting classes by stealing every player who's not tied down. It's only after the fact coaches recognize what's missing. In the Razorbacks' case, Kiffin strolled into Fayetteville and departed with a shiny new linebacker in Chris "Pooh" Paul.

It's a good thing Kiffin appears to be happily married with children and a beloved dog. Just imagine if he were single. Instead of pictures of opposing school planes and golf carts, there would be a photo of his shoes next to some poor unsuspecting coach's bed. Next thing you know, both his wife and his leading receiver are in the transfer portal looking for quality time in "The 'Sip."

Speaking of "The 'Sip," Kiffin's "Come to the Sip" branding campaign has been a huge success. Anyone who has ever been to Mississippi even once knows how difficult it is to make the place feel cool and drip with swagger. It shouldn't be possible at all, yet, through a firm grasp of subtle trolling and a master class in social media branding, Kiffin has done exactly that.

Between unapologetically barnstorming opposing teams' back yards and a catch phrase that doesn't stink of desperation and cheesiness (Left lane, hammer down anyone?), Kiffin has managed to capture the hearts and minds of the audience that matters most – recruits.

Everyone knows the tales of how close Arkansas is believed to have been to hiring Kiffin. There is a general acceptance things got pretty hot and heavy before falling apart at the end. It would have been interesting to see how it all played out.

The general notion is Pittman turned out to be the right man for the moment. He was a strong fit with the people of Arkansas and did what it took to dig the Razorbacks out of the pit of despair.

The only question is whether Kiffin would have been able to replicate what he did at Mississippi at Arkansas. Would he have been allowed the freedom he has in Oxford?

His methods resonate with the younger crowd and recruits, but would have the 55+ group that loves to remind everyone it funds what little money the program has to work with accepted how Kiffin approaches the job? How long would it have been before some booster called up Hunter Yurachek demanding the head coach act like he's been there before instead of being so disruptive on Twitter.

Before he could get to his 10-win seasons, Kiffin would probably get bounced because he couldn't resist putting out a tweet of him in front of the same airport with the line, "But I have been here before," effectively outing the thin-skinned booster and hurting his pride.

It would have at least been interesting to see what branded phrase he came up with for Arkansas. It's the one area where the program has struggled. The many variations of "Yes,sir!" served well, but it wasn't something that has staying power like "Come to the 'Sip." Of course, Pittman avoids social media anyway, which is a part of his brand that endears him to a portion of the fan base.

He has a more down home approach. A throwback to a slower, more stable era of college sports. Pittman wants to look mom and dad square in the eye and gain their trust that he has their son's best interest at heart one cheddar biscuit at a time.

Meanwhile, Kiffin's looking for a more direct approach, reaching the recruit at the one place he knows he can't quit. His phone.

One's looking to steal momma's heart in a good way. The other is looking to simply steal her son. Neither could be effective at the other's method.

Some time next fall, both fan bases will get to see which worked better this given recruiting cycle in what typically is a tight game between the Rebels and Razorbacks. And, don't forget. "Pooh" Paul will be there again, too.