As a UT fan, I like Lane Kiffin. Really. I do. He’s grabbed a good recruiting class in less than three months of work, and all signs point to things looking well on the recruiting front in 2010 (has four early commits, two of which are four-stars by Rivals’ account). The guy’s been getting a lot of flak, and rightfully so — it isn’t very wise to come in and take shots at a coach that just won a national title and is building a freaking dynasty at Florida.

So despite the numerous recruiting infractions that Kiffin has had to go along with the numerous stupid things he’s said, he’s just misunderstood, according to his AD, Mike Hamilton.

And while the new coach has ruffled some feathers with his bold moves and brash comments, athletic director Mike Hamilton told The Associated Press Thursday that Kiffin’s statements have been “misunderstood.”

“Everybody says, ‘Does he really understand what he’s doing or saying?’ Yeah, he does,” said Hamilton. “He might have been shocked initially or surprised initially at the attention that anything he says will get.”

Bottom line: The guy’s getting recruits, something that hadn’t been done in a while at UT (okay, only two years). As far as I’m concerned, he could rip his clothes off and run around in panties screaming that Nick Saban is a drag. As long as he grabs recruits, we’ll take anything. And then we’ll spin it that it’s just misunderstood.

[AJC]