After USC interfered with Kennedy Pola's employment with the Tennessee Titans by hiring him to be their new offensive coordinator, the Titans, in what might be a first, have slapped USC and head coach Lane Kiffin with a law suit.

There is a lot of legalese in it to be sure, but the bottom line is this: In the NFL, when you want to hire a coach under contract, you ask his employer for permission to talk to him.  In some case, draft picks are exchanged or other compensation is given.  The bottom line is, if you poach a coach in the manner that Kiffin hired Pola, the league would get involved and someone would get fined.

Since USC is out of Roger Goodell's jurisdiction, a lawsuit will have to do.  What the Titans most likely are doing is looking for compensation and sending a stern message that this kind of behavior is unacceptable.  The suit slams Kiffin hard, which will certainly not endear him to new AD Pat Haden.  But then again, there is little endearing about Kiffin, who has burned more bridges than than the Roman military.

The suit is a brilliant PR move for the Titans, especially in a state where Kiffin is a pariah after abruptly leaving Knoxville for L.A. and taking most of his staff and a few prized recruits with him.  Even if the suit gets thrown out of court, Titan fans will be pleased that someone had the cahones to go after him. 

Titans Coach Jeff Fisher, sounding somewhat like Tony Soprano, calls Kiffin's actions unprofessional and a lack of respect.  He's right. But in the world of Lane Kiffin, there is no asking for permission.  And very little asking for forgiveness.