NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Derek Dooley's first public appearance in Nashville as the University of Tennessee's football coach Thursday was memorable as much for what he didn't say as what he did say.
He didn't diss Florida Coach Urban Meyer.
He didn't vow to sing Rocky Top all night long after beating (insert rival here).
He didn't accuse anybody of cheating — falsely or otherwise.
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Comments » 30
LCfastball writes:
Class Act !!!!!!!
rockytopatl writes:
More rave reviews for the coach. This is the kind of publicity we want, not the OMG phooey we were getting from Monte's Punk. Tradition of one of our strengths, and that idiot didn't care about it or realize its power.
CoverOrange writes:
Laudable. But can he beat Florida and Alabama?
volsnationalchamps writes:
I like his demeanor, he is truely from the SOUTH. Just get the job done on the field, none of the other stuff matters. Go out and recruit with class unlike someone else we all know.
TommyJack writes:
Turby. Why are you such a contrarian?
InertGas writes:
I think things are going to be just fine on The Hill.
johnnyvol writes:
WoW !!!
vol_chaz writes:
I'm loving it.. But I'm guessing a journalist's nightmare.. no soundbytes...ha..
VolsToTheWall writes:
....he's right.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Florida will be the best opportunity for this year with no TEBOW and no head coach.
Mobbdeep4life writes:
Looking forward to next year already. This will be a long 6 1/2 months. Funny but I notice I'm more upbeat and energetic in the fall. I need a cure for the college football blues. LOL!!!
Give Dooley an entire year to recruit with a completed staff and I expect 2011 to be even better.
Liberal_Vol writes:
Right. You know, some people are just afraid. Afraid to commit, to put themselves on the line, to get behind something or someone.
In three years we probably are not favored to beat Florida or Alabama, so you are probably right Turby. So? Is that why you are a fan? To beat Florida or Alabama?
Does it make you 'intelligent' to counteract the positive messages and behaviors of our team and coaches with something everyone already knows?
Answer: Hell no!
Do you realize how much more Tennessee is than beating Florida and Alabama?
Answer: Hell no!
Can you fathom what the results will be if our fan base supports our coaches and team with positives and patience?
Answer: Probably not!
You are a typical flaming non-intelligent fan that was riding the Kiffin train and then was off the Kiffin train and sways to and fro' on most issues right?
Answer: Hell yes!
Its time for Tennessee fans to grow up and stop burning matresses....
tnsportsman writes:
I'm behind Coach Dooley 110% class act for sure!
However, sound bits, correctly calling out SEC football teams and not their coaches, being verbally confident in winning and promoting Tennessee is part of it and fires up the fan base.
The Former Coach did it the wrong way by not knowing the rules. YES, he is an 'A' Hole but was OUR 'A' Hole at the time and the fan base loved it! Now the 100% Loyalty the VolNation gave the former coach is now 120% Revenge!
Not saying Coach Dooley has to do it that way at all, but lets put some fire in the fan base and not be bland, just IMO. Loved the Nashville Celebration, it was just a little corporate.
But with patience, time and wins Coach Dooley can fire the fan base up in his own way. I'm just a PR and Marketing person that thinks there are good ways to call out the SEC Bullies like cryer meyer and nick satan!
Guess the name calling and outrageous comments can be left with fans and Coach Dooley takes the high road which is good, LOL.
GO VOLS ALWAYS UNTIL MY LAST BREATH!
CroKev writes:
Yes, that is the question. Fortunately, we have them both at home next year and 2 weeks to prepare for Bama again (it certainly made a difference in last year's game!). UF lost Tebow and Bama lost a bunch but their depth is what will hurt us next year. We could win both but, again, it's a long shot. I expect our special teams to be a lot better with a lot of these new recruits (and not just Palardy) contributing early on kick and punt coverage. In the brutal world of college sports (i.e., "What have you done for me lately?") class acts get fired all the time when the win/loss record is not up to expectations. With all that said and done, however, I am excited about this guy for the long term.
jcp201 writes:
Personally, I was embarrassed by the last coach. Although I've been a lifetime VOL fan, it was HARD last year for me. I hated the headcoach, but loved the team.
Dooley is like a breath of fresh air for me. I'm singing RockyTop in joy for the fact that Kiffin left.
BillyVol writes:
I used to watch cartoons and look at the funnies, since I became a Vol fan, I just open up the blogs, and laugh all the time.
lol
CoverOrange writes:
It's better than being a troll, lol.
CoverOrange writes:
Losing TT won't be the difference. Losing Mullen and then Strong and per chance a less aggressive Meyer (Fulmer style) might. But they still have a ton of talent.
volsfan74 writes:
Can we beat Florida and Alabama? Turbo, the answer is we will have to wait and see! But what I like about CDD he is not going out there all cocky claiming the victory before he has even coached his first snap! We have to ask ourselves do we want a "year or two" of success or do we want to have a "RUN" of success and I choose the "RUN". I think CDD is building the foundation for a successful program,that will win a lot of ballgames for a long time.
Brillovol writes:
Agreeing with the previous posters, is that all that really matters?
First things first, football is simply a game with wins and losses not meaning anything when all is said and done. I would much rather lose with class than win by dubious means. The latter is what we were in for with the previous administration. The previous is probably what we are in for at least for this year.
If by your count beating Florida and Alabama are what is going to make him a good coach, be realistic. If they didn't play each other in the SEC title game, they would have played each other for the NC game. Their programs are 4 years ahead of where we can be.
Had the previous administration stayed in place, I have no doubt we would have given both programs a run for their money this year. By simply changing coaches, that takes us from a 50/50 shot of beating them this year to a 20/80 shot.
Your sentiment, sadly enough, is one that numerous fans in general have: beat our rivals, win championships, and keep 'em coming. This is sorely out of touch with reality and I've had my fill of it.
You are correct to say "laudable." That should be all that matters. If he's not successful after 4-5 years, then changes are in store. Otherwise, be proud that we have a coach who is an upstanding individual.
We've had our time with the type of coach who was the opposite of Fulmer. Attitudes like yours is what brought him here. Unfortunately, what seems enticing is also empty. As for myself and the majority of UT fans, I am proud that we have a coach with substance. You should be too, period.
CoverOrange writes:
Do you know what Bill Battle, Johnny Majors and Phil Fulmer all had in common? Class and losing to Alabama and/or Florida. They were fired you know. In five years, whether Dooley is judged as having succeeded or not will largely hinge on those two annual games.
How much fun is it to beat Vandy and Kentucky? Which games have more attendance and are shown nationally. UF and UA matter to UT.
As far as positive messages and supporting the coach, I haven't said a word either way. I don't hobo on trains and it wouldn't matter if I did. Cheerleaders don't win games.
As far as swaying to and fro on most issues, isn't that the personification of liberalism?
CoverOrange writes:
I should have included the disclaimer that beating UF and UA is what will matter to the Vol masses, not what I think, and not that what I think matters to who the coach is or will be. Having class is a step in the right direction but every coach is ultimately judged on wins and losses. Right or wrong that is the reality.
Kiffin displayed all kinds of classless behavior but Vol fandom largely supported him until he left. Are they hypocritical?
Cldvols1 writes:
Ditto MD4L!!!
RollTideJoe writes:
Amen. I should think Vol fans are much happier to have a man of class that has been raised in the SEC and respects the conference, its coaches and teams, versus a smartmouth such as Kiffin was. Frankly, Kiffin was an embarrassment. I think Dooley is a man who will command respect.
nfdeng13 writes:
Kiffin offering a 13 year old a scholarship..http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football.... Good riddance...GBO
235lbVol writes:
Probably not next year. but there's not a doubt in my mind we'll be beating both of them real soon! Whats tough is beating both in the same year along with LSU, UGA, Aub, Ark...you get it, making it through the SEC is tough. I really see the SEC with the recruiting now, actually maybe having 5 or 6 of the best 10 to 12 teams in the country, but there will be some years NO SEC team is playing for the title because they could'nt make it through the coference, yet they'd probably win the title if they were there! And Yes, I think Dooley will have Tennessee right there in the middle of the conversation.
Colliervol writes:
One thing you guys should know about Dooley. He is under no illusions about winning being a very important part of the equation and said as much last night at the Memphis meeting. He understands all the traditions and the fact that UT is a great place and relatively easy to sell to prospects. But he knows the bottom line. All of that has to translate into winning.
No we won't beat Alabama and FL all the time. This thing runs in cycles and they are loaded right now. But I'm pretty sure we'll get back to being competitive year in and year out now. And that's better than it was two years ago because we were not competitive and there was no sign that it was going to get better.
As far as Climer's comments go, Dooley certainly abstained from saying anything about Coach X. But that didn't stop the asst. AD from saying the following: "We now have a coach who wasn't born on third base and acts like he hit a triple."
TNvalleyVOL writes:
I think I would've paid 25$ just to watch this video...thanks KNS for posting. CDD has tapped into the deep deep pride and legacy of Tennessee football, lil-X only tapped into his own narcissistic needs, and the difference in leadership influence is astounding. No sound bites, but this guy is making lightning speed headway in rebranding our program back to our proud heritage. Years from now we will call this "Hamilton's redemption." CDD held up Fulmer's "crystal ball" today and showed us all a very proud history and bright future! GBO
bigorange61 writes:
Guys, remember we were a healthy field goal kicker away from beating the national champions in their own house. Things can happen. Then Ole Miss takes us to the woodshed. Things can happen.
We're going to have to rebuild over time no doubt. But there are reasons to be optimistic for the future. I just can't buy into the doom and gloom.
marinevol writes:
You're really asking for it, aren't you? Wish I could find something you said that wasn't true, but I can't. But don't relax. That won't stop many other posters from coming after you. You know the ones. The ones who attack your intelligence if you don't agree with their simplistic view of the world, attack your patriotism if you don't agree with them politically and will attack your loyalty to your alma mater if you question any decision made regarding our new coach. Good luck, my man. Go Vols!
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