I think he's right, assuming that Kiffin wouldn't have gotten us in major trouble with the NCAA by now. But that's a VERY big assumption.
I don't think he could've avoided major sanctions. For whatever reason, he thought he had to bend the rules to be able to recruit at UT.
If we assume he could've kept his nose clean, there's no doubt in my mind that UT would be contending for SEC championships by now. But I'm glad he's gone. I defended him some and criticized him some, but I sure didn't cry when he made his midnight escape.