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KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee players met with new head coach Lane Kiffin on Sunday night.

And the emphasis was on making a fresh start.

"He said it's a new page in the Tennessee book," tight end Luke Stocker related Monday following Kiffin's formal introduction at a press conference.

"He said last night there's no starters on either side of the ball. You've got to work your tail off. That's what it needs to be. Everyone needs to go out busting their tails everyday and not feeling comfortable with where they're at. It'll make every individual player better."

Stocker, who had 13 receptions for 139 yards this season, was impressed by the leveling of the playing field.

"The practices are going to be different. It's going to be a war," Stocker said. "You're going to have to earn your spot and that's going to make the team better.

"I think a lot of the guys are excited about it and looking forward to what's to come."

Gerald Williams, a linebacker converted to defensive end this season, has heard the rumors about Kiffin bringing his father, Tampa Bay Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, to Tennessee. That would be a coup, Williams thinks.

"Me and a couple guys were watching some of the Tampa game," Williams said. "We were seeing how the guys were flying around, making interceptions. It would be good to get him in here."

Williams liked Kiffin the Younger as well.

"Coach Kiffin told us what's going to be done and what's expected of us. His personality came across as a player's coach. He's willing to listen to his players. He sat down and talked with some of the players after the meeting, which he didn't have to do.

"Everybody was excited. Everybody was energetic after the meeting and ready for spring to start."

Williams added that the past month has been a roller coaster, with Phillip Fulmer's resignation, the search for a replacement, back-to-back wins to end the season and Kiffin's hire.

"It's been a long ride, the ups and downs," he said. "It was very hard losing Coach Fulmer. I spent most of my time trying to get here to play for him. I feel sorry for his family, but you just got to keep moving.

"It's a business. We've just got to accept it and move on."