Tennessee to Hire Derek Dooley

[LizardState]

ESPN is reporting now that Tennessee will hire Louisiana Tech HC Derek Dooley to replace Lane Kiffin as HC.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4829107

Dooley is the son of former UGA HC & AD Vince Dooley. Dooley was recommended by Texas DC Mike Muschamp after he refused the Vols job this wk.

Dooley was 17-22 at Louisiana Tech.

[TitanHope]

It's not yet a done deal yet.

As a Vols fan who's payed attention to all the different reports come out over the past two days, I'm not gonna believe anything til he's speaking at the presser.

Also, no matter what, UT AD Mike Hamilton will probably be fired if this is true. Make room for Fulmah!

[SimonRath]

was this guy like plan C?

[MetSox17]

was this guy like plan C?

More like Plan E.

[CashmoneyDrew]

was this guy like plan C?

Who knows? Hamilton is most likely fired soon either way. Pretty sure the only coach he could have gotten that would have temporarily got him off of the hot seat was Muschamp.

[SimonRath]

do you think they even talked to John Gruden?

[CashmoneyDrew]

do you think they even talked to John Gruden?

No, not at all.

[SimonRath]

No, not at all.

i think he woulda been a gooood hire at tennessee

[CashmoneyDrew]

I was never on the Gruden bandwagon.

[MetSox17]

I was never on the Gruden bandwagon.

I think he could have recruited the **** out of Tennessee. That's the kind of hire i think you all needed. A big splash to recover from the heartbreak and rioting. This hire seems very anticlimactic.

[TitanHope]

Gruden was a pipe dream, and the odds of him coming to Tennessee was about as good as Cowher or Dungy.

I'm actually opening up to the Dooley hiring!

[P-L]

Tennessee probably didn't contact Gruden because I doubt he has any interest.

[Splat]

I feel bad for Tenn.

[CashmoneyDrew]

I don't care one way or the other if this guy is the hire. Unfortunately right now I'm feeling kind of apathetic towards college football.

[TitanHope]

I don't care one way or the other if this guy is the hire. Unfortunately right now I'm feeling kind of apathetic towards college football.

C'mon big guy! Don't say that!

Dooley seems to be the offensive version of Muschamp, and at least he has HC experience. Plus, he was the recruiting coordinator under Saban at LSU when they were pulling in big time classes and winning a NC. To me, he's got the upside that made the Muschamp hire so appealing (and, apparently Muschamp HIGHLY recommended Dooley, who Hamilton and others already had on their list of candidates).

[CashmoneyDrew]

Eh, I'm just not feeling trustworthy to this guy, even though that has a lot to do with Kiffin. Not to mention our recruiting class will probably not do as well as it was going to.

I just feel I need to reserve all judgments, good or bad, after the Fulmer and Kiffin incidents.

[RealityCheck]

Not that bad. La Tech is a growing program, Dooley seems like a good coach.

[LizardState]

It's not yet a done deal yet.....Make room for Fulmah!

If they rehire Jugbutt Fulmer, Voodoo Monkey will jump off one of those big-ass railroad bridges over the Cumberland before the weekend starts....

[CashmoneyDrew]

If they rehire Jugbutt Fulmer, Voodoo Monkey will jump off one of those big-ass railroad bridges over the Cumberland before the weekend starts....



Nah.


It would be the Harpeth river. I live right next to that one.

[D-Unit]

Dooley is a very good coach and UT fans will love him. He brings fire, controlled intensity and coaches with guts. He's the type to go for 2 to win the game in the end instead of tying it up to go to OT. He's one of the better young coaches around and he could be a UT legend before all is said and done. This is a dream job for him... not a stepping stone like Kiffin, Gruden, or any other big name coach would've done or did do there.

Great hire.

[diabsoule]

Dooley is a very good coach and UT fans will love him. He brings fire, controlled intensity and coaches with guts. He's the type to go for 2 to win the game in the end instead of tying it up to go to OT. He's one of the better young coaches around and he could be a UT legend before all is said and done. This is a dream job for him... not a stepping stone like Kiffin, Gruden, or any other big name coach would've done or did do there.

Great hire.

You and me have the same sentiments on this hire. I think Dooley is a great hire and should be with the program a long time, just like Fulmer was. I saw the way he coached against LSU. The guy has a great mind for offense and if he brings in the right coordinators then Tennessee should be back competing for the SEC title in about 3-4 years.

[TitanHope]

If they rehire Jugbutt Fulmer, Voodoo Monkey will jump off one of those big-ass railroad bridges over the Cumberland before the weekend starts....

I meant as Athletic Director, not Head Coach! Fulmer may be a tubber, but he's a Vol through and through and has a much better presence and namepower than Mike Hamilton. Hammy is just a puppet for Haslam and the boosters.


Either way, the actual hire of Dooley isn't bad at all. It's just the process of how it occurred. Tennessee shouldn't have gone through several options at less prestigious schools to get a guy (not including Muschamp who's at a better school in Texas). I mean, Vols are Top 10 all time in wins (#9, right in front of who at #10? USC), and only Bama and Texas have been to more Bowl games. Elite facilities, dominate the state, one of the oldest members of the SEC, and annually have 100,000+ in the stands of every game. They shouldn't be getting turned down by guys at Duke and Utah.

I think a lot of Vols fans are just worried that a Mike Shula era is about to begin at Tennessee. I actually like the hire a lot.

[TitanHope]

Derek Dooley has resigned as the HC and AD of LA Tech.

Looks like a done deal folks!

[BuddyCHRIST]

You would think UT could get a bigger name, and his resume doesn't look too great though I know La Tech has been improved. But who knows, the big coaches were all unknown at one point (besides Kiffen that is)

[TitanHope]

You would think UT could get a bigger name, and his resume doesn't look too great though I know La Tech has been improved. But who knows, the big coaches were all unknown at one point (besides Kiffen that is)

I'm believing one of the complications was whether or not the next HC would bring in their own staff. Only Gruden or Muschamp would've been able to assemble a new staff, but Tennessee wants to retain the likes of Kippy Brown, Lance Thompson, Jim Chaney, and others. Kiffin left a lot of great coaches in Tennessee.

That may've been why so many guys passed.

[yourfavestoner]

You would think UT could get a bigger name, and his resume doesn't look too great though I know La Tech has been improved. But who knows, the big coaches were all unknown at one point (besides Kiffen that is)

To quote Wojechowski, Kiffin is your typical "kid who was born on third base and acts like he hit a triple."

[TitanHope]

To quote Wojechowski, Kiffin is your typical "kid who was born on third base and acts like he hit a triple."

Truthfully, he doesn't touch the UT job on his own merit. That may sound like a Vols fan just being bitter, but we knew it when he was here. Bringing Monte Kiffin to run the DEF, and promising to assemble an allstar recruiting staff was what got Kiffin the job. Now, give him credit for following his word, but it was expected that he'd be here for a few years. Monte would retire after a couple of years, and Orgeron would move up to DC or move on to a HC position elsewhere. By the time the allstar staff started moving on to higher positions, they would've recruited Top 10 classes and built the program up. Lane was expected to stay there and grow with the school, and lead a school that SEC royalty back to prominance.

That's how he sold himself as the next HC, and it worked. The AD and boosters fell for it, the university fell for it, and the fanbase fell for it. It's just that he basically sold the exact same product to USC, bringing along Monte and Orgeron with him. Lane himself isn't enough, but when bringing in an NFL legend and one of the best RC's there is, it's hard to say no. There is a past with Kiffin and SC, but he's not Carroll and Monte will only be around so long (Vols fans expected around 5 years of Monte at best). That'd be my worry as a USC fan, since it was a worry for Vols fans. What happens when it's just Kiffin, and Monte's retired and Orgeron moves on to a promotion elsewhere?


Anyway, press conference announcing Dooley tonight at 9 PM EST! Gonna be on ESPN News! Lookin' forward to it!

[Brent]

as someone who has been following LA Tech the past few years (our neighbor is a huge alum/donor), this is a good hirie

[CashmoneyDrew]

Poor guy probably won't even get a fair shot considering that AD hiring him is about to get canned and half of the fan base already hates him.

[Hokie_Pokie08]

Mark Schlabaugh said that Dooley was the one coach that Alabama was worried Tennessee would hire. They think he has the ability to recruit throughout the SEC areas.

[JRTPlaya21]

And a Dooley is back in the SEC. Nice, nice.

[SimonRath]

if a big name coach becomes available next off season, i hope to god tennessee doesnt can Dooley to get him

[TitanHope]

Watching the presser now!

I like him! A lot!

[LonghornsLegend]

if a big name coach becomes available next off season, i hope to god tennessee doesnt can Dooley to get him

That's what always worries me about these type of signings, in College and the NFL. You hire a guy who doesn't have a big name or a pretty resume, he does average in year 1 with the talent available, but coaches become available that weren't around the time he was hired so he catches a raw deal and is fired. I hope they don't do him that way.

[SimonRath]

That's what always worries me about these type of signings, in College and the NFL. You hire a guy who doesn't have a big name or a pretty resume, he does average in year 1 with the talent available, but coaches become available that weren't around the time he was hired so he catches a raw deal and is fired. I hope they don't do him that way.

I hope he stays in tennessee for awhile. He looks like a loyal guy to me and i cant see him pull a Kiffin

he has a great voice too.

[TitanHope]

He flat out nailed the presser, and without pissing off Florida and the rest of the SEC either! :D

[CashmoneyDrew]

Yeah. His press conference was impressive. Looked way more comfortable and genuine than Kiffin did last year. He said all the right things, now we'll see if he can walk the walk as well. We'll find out pretty quickly his recruiting skills.

[Smokey Joe]

I think this is an awesome choice by Tennessee. Dooley is a great coach and got everything he could have out of LA Tech, and LA Tech has been very competitive in the WAC and has always been in their games.

I think Dooley is gonna rise to the challenge and be considered one of the best in the SEC in a couple years.

[FUNBUNCHER]

I hope he can recruit, you would think so because of his youth and enthusiasm.
But MiKe Shula looked impressive in pressers too.

Bottom line is, can he outcoach teams in the SEC??

SEC is a better conference when Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Alabama and LSU are all top 15 programs.

[TitanHope]

After the departure of Kiffin and the hiring of Dooley, here is what the Vols coaching staff is looking like:

Head Coach: Derek Dooley
Offensive Co.: Jim Chaney
Defensive Co.: ?
Recruiting Co: ?
ST Coach: Eric Russell
QB Coach: ?
WR Coach: Charlie Baggett
RB Coach: Darin Hinshaw
OL Coach: Harry Hiestand
TE Coach: ?
DL Coach: ?
LB Coach: Lance Thompson
DB Coach: Terry Joseph
SC Coach: Bennie Wylie

Terry Joseph, RC/DBC, is also on staff. Dooley brough him from LATech. Dunno where he fits in, if they'll release Garza, or if he gets RC instead of Thompson or another hire.

Chaney can coach QB's, OL's, or TE's. Thompson could become DC and/or RC.

Also reportedly interviewing TCU's DC Dick Bumpus. Georgia DL/RC Rodney Garner, who coached at Tennessee before, is also rumored to be interested in a position.

[diabsoule]

After the departure of Kiffin and the hiring of Dooley, here is what the Vols coaching staff is looking like:

Head Coach: Derek Dooley
Offensive Co.: Jim Chaney
Defensive Co.: ?
Recruiting Co: ?
ST Coach: Eric Russell
QB Coach: ?
WR Coach: Charlie Baggett
RB Coach: ?
OL Coach: ?
TE Coach: ?
DL Coach: ?
LB Coach: Lance Thompson
DB Coach: Willie Mack Garza

Terry Joseph, RC/DBC, is also on staff. Dooley brough him from LATech. Dunno where he fits in, if they'll release Garza, or if he gets RC instead of Thompson or another hire.

Chaney can coach QB's, OL's, or TE's. Thompson could become DC and/or RC.

Also reportedly interviewing TCU's DC Dick Bumpus. Georgia DL/RC Rodney Garner, who coached at Tennessee before, is also rumored to be interested in a position.

That staff is looking really good. I have a feeling that Tennessee is back on their way to prominence in the SEC

[TitanHope]

That staff is looking really good. I have a feeling that Tennessee is back on their way to prominence in the SEC

What would you think about Kevin Steele returning to the SEC as UT's DC?

[Darksider]

Dooley isn't a "sexy" hire but he's very very "solid". Great HC guys.

[TitanHope]

It's official - Kevin Steele will be coming to Tennessee to become the Vols DC.

Kevin Steele is on his way back for a third stint with the University of Tennessee.
The longtime coaching veteran, who returns to Knoxville after previously serving two separate stints under Johnny Majors, is accepting the defensive coordinator's post on Derek Dooley's first staff.

Per Rivals/Brent Hubbs.

[diabsoule]

What would you think about Kevin Steele returning to the SEC as UT's DC?

I think it's a fantastic hire. Clemson has had some really good defenses while he's been there and Tennessee is going to have more talent for him to work with.

[TitanHope]

I think it's a fantastic hire. Clemson has had some really good defenses while he's been there and Tennessee is going to have more talent for him to work with.

I'd love it too. It seems that Steele is giving the chance to match UT's offer (~$800,000/year), but that'd be a lot to match (I believe his current salary is $375,000/year, I believe). This is according to Wes Rucker, who was the most reliable and responsible throughout the coaching search, and apparently Steele is going to "sleep on it."

Professionally, I think it's a much better move to come to Tennessee. For one, he's getting a raise, and two, he's coaching in a better conference with more national attention - which would help if he's wanting to move on to a HC job. I can understand why he'd want to stay at Clemson though, and it'd certainly reflect well on his character to stay true to his commitments.

[LizardState]

Kiffin sold himself to SC b/c he has hands-on experience dealing with NCAA investigations like the ongoing one at Tennessee, he could help SC out with the one regarding a paid rent condo for Reggie Bush's family (guess he didnt know Kim "Big Booty" Kardashian yet & crash at her mcmansion) & he came with famous dad Monte as a pedigree pkg. deal ..... But isn't that like hiring an ex-con as your state prison warden b/c he hands-on experience with the penitentiary system?

Does anyone here doubt for a minute that the Bush family LA condo rent investigation at USC & the NCAA investigation into Tennessee were the primary motivating factors sending Carroll to Seattle & Kiffin to SC? When dogs like that run away from those very high-paying jobs you have to look at what's chasing them.

[TitanHope]

Kiffin sold himself to SC b/c he has hands-on experience dealing with NCAA investigations like the ongoing one at Tennessee, he could help SC out with the one regarding a paid rent condo for Reggie Bush's family (guess he didnt know Kim "Big Booty" Kardashian yet & crash at her mcmansion) & he came with famous dad Monte as a pedigree pkg. deal ..... But isn't that like hiring an ex-con as your state prison warden b/c he hands-on experience with the penitentiary system?

Does anyone here doubt for a minute that the Bush family LA condo rent investigation at USC & the NCAA investigation into Tennessee were the primary motivating factors sending Carroll to Seattle & Kiffin to SC? When dogs like that run away from those very high-paying jobs you have to look at what's chasing them.

What investigation at Tennessee are ya talking about, Liz? There's not one currently going on. There's a review over the hostess incident, but I believe that's it.


Also, looks like Steele is staying at Clemson. :(

[Cigaro]

I think it's a fantastic hire. Clemson has had some really good defenses while he's been there and Tennessee is going to have more talent for him to work with.

(he's only coached one season at Clemson)

[Cigaro]

What investigation at Tennessee are ya talking about, Liz? There's not one currently going on. There's a review over the hostess incident, but I believe that's it.


Also, looks like Steele is staying at Clemson. :(
A review is the same thing as an investigation...let's really not go down that road.

[TitanHope]

A review is the same thing as an investigation...let's really not go down that road.

You and I have discussed this before, and like I said prior it's bordering arguing semantics since "investigation" is such a broad term. But they're two different points in the process, and at this point, they're just reviewing the allegations against Tennessee's recruiting methods. They've interviewed about a half a dozen recruits, and I'm assuming from those statements, they'll decide to launch an official investigation which is much more in depth. It's silly to argue over the difference, but from my perception, I see as official investigation as clinch my butt and bite down on a stick time, where as a review isn't as hot of water yet.

In fact, in Mike Hamilton's press conference after Kiffin left for USC, a reporter asked about the "investigation," and Hamilton corrected him that it wasn't an investigation and just a review (And then followed it up with, "I know that sounds like I'm arguing semantics," hah). Writers have called in an "investigation" as well, but since it's a broad term and it's sexier than "review," I can't really blame them.

So yeah, I trust the word of UT's AD in this situation more than others, but by all means, keep the dream alive Cigaro!

[Cigaro]

You and I have discussed this before, and like I said prior it's bordering arguing semantics since "investigation" is such a broad term. But they're two different points in the process, and at this point, they're just reviewing the allegations against Tennessee's recruiting methods. They've interviewed about a half a dozen recruits, and I'm assuming from those statements, they'll decide to launch an official investigation which is much more in depth. It's silly to argue over the difference, but from my perception, I see as official investigation as clinch my butt and bite down on a stick time, where as a review isn't as hot of water yet.

In fact, in Mike Hamilton's press conference after Kiffin left for USC, a reporter asked about the "investigation," and Hamilton corrected him that it wasn't an investigation and just a review (And then followed it up with, "I know that sounds like I'm arguing semantics," hah). Writers have called in an "investigation" as well, but since it's a broad term and it's sexier than "review," I can't really blame them.

So yeah, I trust the word of UT's AD in this situation more than others, but by all means, keep the dream alive Cigaro!

Link? I know in the official statement it was referred to as a review, but I haven't seen anything about him correcting a reporter who called it an investigation.

And it is semantics. It's an investigation, plain and simple.

[TitanHope]

Link? I know in the official statement it was referred to as a review, but I haven't seen anything about him correcting a reporter who called it an investigation.

And it is semantics. It's an investigation, plain and simple.

l6VQNElHbeE

It's the first question asked at 6:07. It's a NCAA review, not an investigation.

[Cigaro]

l6VQNElHbeE

It's the first question asked at 6:07. It's a NCAA review, not an investigation.

lol, he didn't say it was 'like' semantics, he said it was semantics. I don't think I need to argue further.

[TitanHope]

I don't think I need to argue further.

I figured you wouldn't after he confirmed my point that Tennessee isn't under NCAA investigation - it's under NCAA review. :)

[CashmoneyDrew]

Yeah, there's a difference. Otherwise Hamilton wouldn't have corrected it. If the NCAA review finds any inconsistencies, that's when there will be an actual investigation.

[mellojello]

Yeah. His press conference was impressive. Looked way more comfortable and genuine than Kiffin did last year. He said all the right things, now we'll see if he can walk the walk as well. We'll find out pretty quickly his recruiting skills.Voodoo, I just wanted to take the time to remind you that I told you Kiffin was a loose-lips piece of ****. Mark my words, things will not end pretty for Kiffin at SC.

As far as Dooley, he seems like a high-character guy and I like him. I hope he can live up to the high expectations while doing it the right way. Good luck.