University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Tailback Creer Departs; First Scrimmage Saturday
April 02, 2009 | Football
April 2, 2009
Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin announced Thursday that junior tailback Lennon Creer has left the team.
"Lennon is no longer with us," Kiffin said. "We had a meeting and he's decided he doesn't want to be part of the program anymore, so we're going to go in a different direction. We wish him the best of luck.
"Hopefully, he will finish the semester well academically so he will be able to transfer somewhere else. I talked a lot about it with him and really pushed him to (finish the semester), get some credits, get some units, so he will be able to transfer."
Tennessee's Thursday practice took place amid attendees to the 2009 UT Spring Coaching Clinic, and the visitors saw the prelude to Saturday's first full scrimmage under Kiffin and his staff.
"I thought the defense had a great day, I really did," Kiffin said. "We put in some new fronts that gave the offense some problems. They got after us. It's a big day Saturday."
Kiffin was alluding to the first full scrimmage of his Tennessee coaching tenure.
"We're going to treat it just like a game and get these guys ready to play," he said. "We will see who responds with a bunch of live plays."
During Thursday's live action, the defense continued its recent success forcing turnovers.
"The last thing we ever want to do it turn it over," Kiffin said. "It's more important than anything we do in the program. That was disappointing to have some turnovers, and especially Saturday when things get live and there are big hits you really want to take care of the ball. The other side of it means the defense is doing a great job."
VOLS NAME GORTMAKER ASSOCIATE STRENGTH COACH
The UT Athletics Department announced Thursday that Steve Gortmaker has joined the staff as men's associate strength and conditioning coach. Gortmaker comes to the Vols after four seasons at South Carolina, with prior stops in his 10-year career at Oklahoma, Western Kentucky and Kansas.
"It's great to have Steve on board with us," said Mark Smith, head football strength and conditioning coach. "We've been together for a long time. He knows the type of program I run, so I can really count on him. He knows exactly what I want done, and I'm really excited to have him on board."
Gortmaker, 32, is a 1998 graduate of Oklahoma, where he earned his health and sport science degree. The White Deer, Texas, native played defensive back for the Sooners from 1995-98 and earned Academic All-Big 12 honors. Gortmaker owns certifications with USA Weightlifting, the International Sports Sciences Association and with the National Association of Speed and Explosion.
