Doug Ainge makes his living as a coach and a teacher. He's also a father.

This week, the coach and the father has become a counselor for his son, Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge.

The two talk every day, in good times and bad. This just happens to be one of those trying times. His son has lost his starting job to UT senior Rick Clausen.

"It's hard," Doug Ainge said. "Just like Rick was close to going back to California last week. It's hard, but Erik's not in Iraq. He's not in Afghanistan.

"He's a 19-year-old kid who plays quarterback for one of the best schools in the country. He just needs to settle down."

The Clausen family experienced almost the exact same emotions just one week ago. Clausen lost his job. He was named the starter at Florida, but it was Ainge who led Tennessee on its lone scoring drive in a 16-7 loss.

On the following Monday, Ainge was named the starter. Clausen sought out the advice of his family and admitted later he had briefly considered going home.

Then came a trip to LSU. One ugly half of football in Baton Rouge cost Ainge his starting job and Clausen is again the man in charge as Mississippi visits Saturday.

There's obvious frustration for Doug Ainge. There's also obvious pride in a son. There's also fatherly advice.

"The bottom line is just win and forget about your own ego," Ainge has told his son. "I think he's mature enough to understand that's all that matters.

"That's what he has told me, his uncle Danny (Ainge-former player wit the Boston Celtics), his mother, his sister and all the people who really matter in his life. Just win, baby."

There has been no mention of leaving Tennessee.

"He hasn't mentioned anything about leaving," Doug Ainge said. "All he has talked about is getting up, going to work, and getting it done."

Advice from dad is: "Be patient. Your time will come again."

Patience is golden.

"He has talked to Danny about that," Doug said. "He has talked to me about that and we're all saying the same thing. It's all about team and you're one play from being in the game. It's that simple, son.

"He understands that. Last year Rick was one play away and he took advantage of it and Erik will too."

Statistically, Clausen has been the better quarterback.

Clausen has completed 40-of-61 passes for 413 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Ainge, last year's freshman phenom, is 26-of-62 for 258 yards, two touchdown and three interceptions.

Neither has been blessed by sterling play from a wide receiver corps surprisingly beset with a number of dropped passes.

"Maybe there is something to the sophomore jinx or sophomore-itis," Doug Ainge said. "But Erik will be back, guaranteed.

"We're talking about the kid who threw for 17 touchdowns in 8 1/2 games last year. He beat Georgia between the hedges. He beat Florida. He was beating Notre Dame. He'll be back."

Mark Burgess covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6277.