Things are never as bad as they seem. They're also never as good as they seem. But these two weeks won't ultimately define our program.Derek Dooley, UT head football coach
No trash-talk.
No mention of rivals or opposing coaches.
New Tennessee coach Derek Dooley wouldn't even break down his freshly signed recruiting class at his breakfast celebration Thursday morning at the Knoxville Convention Center.
"My goal today is not to make any national headlines," Dooley said.
Mission accomplished.
Dooley’s reference was to last year’s breakfast at which then coach Lane Kiffin famously charged Florida coach Urban Meyer with cheating in recruiting.
Kiffin’s comments were picked up by WVLT-TV and shown nationally. When the charge was later proved false, Kiffin’s dubious legacy as an accuser and recipient in the NCAA violation wars was begun.
This morning, Dooley really did nothing more than let the work he and his incomplete staff did over the last few weeks stand for itself. And considering where the Vols wrapped up in the various rankings on National Signing Day, that was more than enough for a sold-out crowd of around 1,000 fans.
"Things are never as bad as they seem," Dooley said. "They're also never as good as they seem.
"But these two weeks won't ultimately define our program."
They certainly provide a starting point, and Dooley is already redefining how the program will be led.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Tennessee Lady Vols 82, Auburn Tigers 64
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 144
OTPVol writes:
Thank you Coach!
TommyJack writes:
Nice to have a coach with a filter.
thevoice writes:
Thanks for all your hard work coach!
jesusvol4 writes:
General Dooley! Forge ahead Volunteer Nation! We are gonna take it to the top of that mountain! (and sing "ROCKY TOP" all night long)
IBleedOrange71 writes:
Coach Dooley is the man!!!
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
I love this guy. :) When we're all blinded by the lies of Coach X, it's easy to get amped up and defend it all when we're looking like a better team and going to a bowl game in his first year, but sitting back in hindsight with 20/20 vision, that a-hole is a complete 180 of what Dooley is. Not even comparable with the higher amount of class and tact that Dooley has. DOOOOOOOOOOOOLEY!!!!!!
GBO!!!
rocky_topper writes:
CDD, you and your staff did an outstanding job.
GBO!
c_h_melton#380664 writes:
As someone who originally wanted our former nameless coach, it is GREAT to a coach with class!
Seinat writes:
Our coach exemplifies the words "southern gentleman." Class, great attitude toward life, and somebody who is concerned with the character of the kids he will coach, not merely whether they can play football. After all, this whole thing is ostensibly about turning boys into men.
PennVol writes:
Dooley, gimme a swaller of that Big Orange kool-aid!
westennvol writes:
It's nice to have a coach with "Class" back on the hill! Coach Dooley will be the next great UT coach! He stands for what I like to think our great university is all about! Thanks CDD!
volRealtor writes:
I am very happy with Coach Dooley and our recruiting class. I think Dooley and Tennessee are going to be a great fit. I also think that Coach Wilcox is going to bring something to Tennessee that will change SEC offensive strategies throughout the conference just too try and figure out our defense. I am looking forward to being a program with class, a great team, and fantastic coaches that are not all about themselves.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Corch, keep us on this right road we're headed down.
Huge obstacles looming dead ahead later this year.
Corch 'em up and set that D with Wilcox. Attack-attack-attack, not drop 8 into coverage.
GBO.
dvols writes:
charles manson for "special teams coach" ....i like the way you think!...
Hounddog writes:
If you watched ESPN or any sports broadcast yesterday...I am sure you noticed no one nationally was doing anything but singing the prasises of UT-VOLS. But, since you insist on spreading lies on this website please know the only laughing is at you. Now, go play with your Leggos, okay.
The Hounddog posted the day after Coach Dooley was hired this man will "grow on us". I think 14 ot of 15 post on this article proves that to be the case, Hounddog
Pullingguard writes:
As the old saying goes "Like Father, Like Son"
Vince was also a very professional coach, and it looks like his son is following in those shoes.
pomp_and_circumstance writes:
Yep. Dooley's remarks were within 178 characters. Twitter is alive and well.
BigBadVol writes:
What a idiotic post. So we got dubbed by POS. So what? No body is laughing at us, they are rolling their eyes at your low brow posts. You must care because you spend a lot of time on here. Sour grapes by you and nothing more.
tnsportsman writes:
NO, when Tennessee makes hire, it's called SUPPORTING your new Coach, Team and University, DUMMY! Regardless how it went down or whom someone was for or against, after the hire WE ARE UT!
GO BIG ORANGE UNTIL MY LAST BREATH!
ps, you must be a Alabubba or Vaaanderbilt Fan.
tnsportsman writes:
Great Job Coach Dooley, now coach them up!
See you in a few hours at the Nashville Celebration!
GBO VOLS!
BillyVol writes:
We have a Pat Summit, and Bruce Pearl in Coach Dooley, lets see if it crosses over to the young men playing football.
gster writes:
bigorangekoolaid YOUR STUPID
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Somewhat bitter this morning?
Try a Pepto.
dwolfcreek#397971 writes:
THANKS AD. Hamilton for getting Dooley to TENNESSEE .
Seinat writes:
you migh want to look up the word "ostensibly." Sorry if I went over your head.
carsonce writes:
Sorry to be a grammar nazi, but it's "You're Stupid." If we're going to stoop to his level, at least do it correctly.
The best way to handle him is to just ignore him. He just wants attention and knows he is full of it.
DaddyVol writes:
Very Bill Battle-esque.
Now VOL fans...let's get out there and motivate the high school coaches to elevate the football and talent levels across this state. In-state players will "Give Their All For Tennessee Today."
Let's get behind Coach Dooley in every possible way.
As Charley Daniels once said..."It's Great To Be Alive and Be In Tennessee."
tennrich1 writes:
Things must be looking up! We got ole bigorangekoolaid after us...thanks for the wake up this morning, friend.
tennrich1 writes:
And by the way, I bet you just offend Charlie Manson....now you ought not do that..could come back on you later....
Flopshot writes:
The best thing Hammy ever did was hire Lame. Without that transaction, we would not now have a coach who will bring UT back with class and dignity. Instead of kool aid we are getting pure Smoky Mountains spring water. Let the true re-branding begin.
Mule_Days_King writes:
Don't start giving vocabulary lessons. You'll confuse Jawja and Free Shoes University fans.
IBleedOrange71 writes:
We need to cut BigOrangeKoolaid some slack...he is just like his family I see every time I drive through Utah...a bunch of Rocks!
FearTheVols1252 writes:
Hmmm… yeah… we’re supporting our team… HOW DARE US! I suppose if Kiffin coached your team you’d jump ship and start supporting someone else? Pffft… whatever!
Retard!
537081 writes:
Well I feel alot better after signing day and we ended up with a good class everybody can't be a 4 or 5 star guy. We will end up in the end on how good the 3 and 2 star guys end up playing. I sure wish we had gotten more Tennessee players we were late getting on them and I don't blame them for going other places I would have also. God knows I love the Vols so less just support the Tennessee Vols like we have for all the years past. GBO
jobrando#216494 writes:
Gone from classless to all class. Plans to do his talking with the players on the field. Great coach.
kevin151 writes:
This helps put the horrible memories of Kiffin and NuKeese away.
tartarsauce writes:
charles manson was recruited by U S C
jobrando#216494 writes:
Exactly, we got a taste of falling in with the devil coach and got such a break when USC took him away from our great State. I've see Dooley on the sidelines coaching and he's not the Mr Humble he presents to the media. This is exactly what I want. Kiffin looked like a zombie on the sideline.
riverosa writes:
Nice to have a coach with common sense. What a guy
volfan53 writes:
I hope he stays here as long as his dad stayed at Georgia. This is exactly what you want in a coach, honesty, integrity, sincerity, good morals, and humility. He will be a shining example to all the student athletes he comes in contact with. Now, all you naysayers leave him alone for at least 3 years so we can see what he does with his own people in the system. Please.
Volunatic writes:
The recruiting class was pretty good-- it met a lot of needs. (I wish there were more DTs though, even 3* or smart 2* ones.)
Next season is going to be a tough one, but I'm looking forward to seeing how the new coaching staff handles it and makes adjustments.
I also hope the new coaching staff does some things the previous coaching staff did-- stress academics and discipline, and give incoming freshmen a chance to play.
GO VOLS!!!
VOLinAthensGA writes:
I can't wait for August!!!!!!
OTPVol writes:
Yep, heard they made him a graduate assistant. Already has a bed warm for Nu'Keese...
tnsportsman writes:
Totally agree 100% Coach Dooley will take it to the field for the results! However, UT does need National Media Exposure and Good PR!
We all bought in last year, but the engery and renewed UT excitement was great! The VOLNATION needs to contiune the (silver lining) we found!
Again, 100% behind Coach Dooley, let's just don't to bland.
GBO!
jobrando#216494 writes:
I watch Urban on ESPN yesterday and I'm going to say he's gone. He want be back. He's got serious health issues. You could see it in his eyes and speech.
FEARinSEC writes:
SKA-ROO MEYER & KITTEN!!!!
I had enough of the "national headlines" last year...
we3vols#281863 writes:
It is called being a fan. No one in the world would expect you to understand. Troll ON...LOL Go Vols!
jesusvol4 writes:
Honesty is the best policy. Yes, I for one was supporting Lane Kiffin and the staff he had put together. When you truly love a university and want to see it succeed, you try to stand behind it. However, sometimes situations arise that are out of control of the fans, understand? Or do you not really have a university you love, and can't follow where I'm coming from? Good luck finding one. GO BIG ORANGE! IT'S GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL! Keep up the CLASS job DD!
Troll_Here writes:
I honestly believe you guys picked the right coach this time. He did an outstanding job over the last few weeks in a difficult situation. I can already see his charm starting to win people over around the SEC. This past bowl season was the first time I didn't pull for every other SEC team to win their game because of Kiffen. Now, I am actually looking forward to you guys getting better over the next few years and competing with us for the SEC east. I say that because I once again have respect for your program. I still hate you, but I respect you again. Good luck to CDD and the Tennessee Vols!
nwcs writes:
Sometimes it takes a big mistake (Kiffin) to make you realize what is truly important. I thought Kiffin was a good hire last year but I was wrong. I'm just glad we are rid of him after 1 year. I'm looking forward to this season and not cringing every week wondering what violation or scandal might happen around the corner.
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