Tennessee fined by league for fan behavior
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Southeastern Conference has fined Tennessee $250,000 for fans stopping the Volunteers’ game with Mississippi for about 20 minutes throwing water bottles, beer cans, pizza boxes, hot dogs, a plastic mustard bottle and at least one golf ball onto the field late in the game.
The league office also announced Monday that Tennessee must meet other standards, including reviewing all possible video to identify and punish fans who threw anything onto the field late Saturday night. Tennessee’s cheerleaders and dance field left the field dodging trash, while the band also left the stands.
“The disruption of Saturday night’s game is unacceptable and cannot be repeated on any SEC campus,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement.
Tennessee’s fine will be deducted from its share of SEC revenue. Every person identified from video will be prohibited from attending a Tennessee athletics event for the rest of the 2021-22 academic and athletic year.
The SEC also wants Tennessee reviewing and updating game management procedures and alcohol policies. Tennessee also has to make sure it’s complying fully with the SEC’S current standards. Tennessee must report back before the Vols’ next home game Nov. 13 hosting No. 1 Georgia.
Tennessee athletic director Danny White said in a statement that he talked with Sankey repeatedly about what happened in the game. White again called the stoppage “unacceptable” and said some of what the SEC ordered already is happening, including the review of video to identify fans who disrupted the game.
“The conduct of a small percentage of fans has led to unfortunate consequences on multiple fronts,” White said. “While I don’t believe that conduct is representative of the Tennessee fanbase as a whole, I understand this imperative action by the league. Safety is paramount.”
SEC members can be fined immediately and risk alcohol sales being suspended immediately if “cans or plastic bottles are used as projectiles or otherwise cause game management issues.” The SEC is not suspending alcohol sales at Tennessee yet but made clear that could happen.
Play stopped when fans started throwing items after officials ruled Tennessee a yard shy of a first down on a fourth-and-24 pass with just over a minute left. Review confirmed the spot, then debris started flying from the stands. Once play resumed, Tennessee forced Ole Miss to punt and ran out of time in a 31-26 loss.
Sankey said the SEC is using this to remind each member of the need to keep stadiums and arenas safe. The SEC also will work with members to review the availability of alcohol policy and consider other rules for the sale and managing of alcohol “while providing the appropriate environment for collegiate competition.”
Orgeron, LSU to part ways after season
For Ed Orgeron, LSU’S Cajun coach, a dream job is coming to an end.
LSU and Orgeron have agreed to part ways after this season, 21 months after he coached the Tigers to a national championship with what is considered one of the greatest teams in college football history.
“I’m always gong to appreciate my time here my time here. I have no regrets,” Orgeron said while sitting next to athletic director Scott Woodward, who made the announcement at LSU’S Baton Rouge campus Sunday night.
“We haven’t won enough games the last two years,” Orgeron continued. “I totally get it.”
Woodward spoke fondly of Orgeron even as he outlined what compelled him to make a change.
“Ed Orgeron’s a friend. We’re both Louisiana guys through and through. We both deeply care about this football program. And I will always be grateful for coach Orgeron for leading the Tigers to the greatest season in the history of college football,” Woodward began. “With that said, the job requires us to set personal feelings aside.
“We expect to compete for SEC and national championships year in and year out,” Woodward added. “Our last two seasons have simply not met that standard.”
Orgeron, who signed six-year extension after the 2019 season, will receive a buyout of $16.9 million in a variety of installments made through 2025, according to copies of a new employment agreement for the rest this season and termination agreement, both provided by LSU.
Sports Illustrated was first to report that Orgeron would not return to LSU in 2022.
While the timing of the announcement — the day after the Tigers (4-3) upset Florida — came as a surprise, the end for Coach O at LSU seemed to be approaching after a blowout loss to Kentucky last week.
That’s when Orgeron said he recognized “we were heading down road wasn’t positive for LSU and there was going to be a change made . ... I just knew it wasn’t LSU style football. It wasn’t pretty. I was embarrassed.”
The win over Florida at home Saturday made LSU 9-8 since beating Clemson in New Orleans for the national championship on Jan. 13, 2020.