Derek Dooley has all the ingredients, but he hasn't confirmed the final recipe.
The new Tennessee football coach has at least left some clues that can help piece it together though.
A quarterback recruit talked about his position coach when committing. A junior college tight end referenced the three guys who will all play a part in his development with the Vols. And though Dooley has downplayed the importance of resumes while making hires, those are also pretty valuable in figuring out where the UT assistants will work until the program releases official details and contract information.
"I think what's important to know is, when I'm looking for a coach, you really have to have two critical components," Dooley said last week. "One is the obvious. He's got to be very good at X's and O's, have a history of good coaching, that's the obvious.
"But more importantly, to me, you've got to be a good person who believes in what I believe in coaching and how we're going develop these young men, how we're going to support them, how we're going to coach them, that they believe in the staff dynamic, they believe in the team chemistry."
That generally also requires mixing all the right elements with the coaches, the last of which UT added late last week when Chuck Smith agreed to come back to his alma mater to likely take over the defensive line.
That would leave Lance Thompson at linebackers for a second season and Terry Joseph to handle the secondary under defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox, though he's the only coach on that side of the ball with a title officially listed on the school Web site.
Offensively, coordinator Jim Chaney and assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Charlie Baggett are specifically designated, which helps clear up the remaining slots. Darin Hinshaw is expected to lead the quarterbacks as hinted by quarterback signee Nash Nance, Harry Hiestand will take over the offensive line and Eric Russell should coach tight ends in addition to special teams.
At this point it's still unclear if Chaney or Wilcox will have additionally responsibilities with specific positions, though there would appear to be a hole at running back. Defensively the Vols are likely settled, particularly since Wilcox didn't directly coach a position group at Boise State.
Either way, there could be room for some overlap and Dooley has stressed since he was hired the importance of his assistants working together.
"Let me say this about the staff, because of this whole put together the best staff in the country, all this," Dooley said. "Well, every staff member can't be a headliner to make a good staff, because a staff is a team.
"Each member of the staff brings strengths, each member of the staff has things that maybe they don't do as well. It's no different than assembling a football team. What I'm more concerned about is who wants to be here, who wants to believe in how we're going to run our organization and how we're going to play offense, defense and special teams."
© 2010, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 132
CHITOWNVOL writes:
did anyone check out that article with the video clips from 2010 recruits. the QBs look stellar
eduardo writes:
This beats Lame Kiffin anyday!!!
orangeismydream writes:
i like the way this is headin and im feelin good about this staff
NoSirRee writes:
Of course what he is saying sounds good, he's a lawyer. Let's just pump the brakes and see how he does in a couple/three years. Best of luck to him
PowerTandDD writes:
Commitment to long term excellence by developing the culture first. Love it!
GBO!
ACNM writes:
which article is that?
can you give link....thanks
Seriouslyorange writes:
To my knowledge, CDD has no "kids" on his team. All he ever refers to is "young men". Sounds good to me!!! Bet they act like young men also, at least we can hope.
ehawkins32#429287 writes:
Question for:
"CHITOWNVOLwrites:
did anyone check out that article with the video clips from 2010 recruits. the QBs look stellar"
Hi. Where is this article and clip?
mdvol writes:
Wonder if Dooley will name a Special Teams coordinator?
USNVOL writes:
I think we are on to something ....Good!
Go Vols ,Go Big Orange
VolinCalif writes:
NoSir. Remember that many think Lawyers are just Professional Liar's. The problem is that just may have some merit. DD, I believe is more of a coach than a Lawyer. I think he has the Staff and player talent to be a force this coming year. The problem is can he get it all together and going in the right direction by this Fall? QB, Rec's and RB's will not be a problem this fall. TE'ss, DE's LB's and Db's aren't that bad either. The only short coming I see is depth. That is a large part of a team. CJC and CLT are the glue that just may put this team together. AS for DD, well after this recruiting season, I don't know who could knock his ability to hit the field running. His background says he has the Intellect to plan,and execute. Add his football knowledge and I think we have a winner, and that is this year not next year. I think he'll win 8 games and a bowl game but if he Win's 7 he is a winner. GoVols
Volways writes:
Geez, it's going to take me a while to learn all the coaches' names, much less what positions they are coaching. But I like what I've read about our new coaching staff so far. Go Big Orange!
joshvols writes:
wonder if dooley will have a hands on approach at different postions, or take more of a ceo approach?
Bigdoc239 writes:
amen brother go vols.
VolinCalif writes:
My guess is he's the CEO. That is what he came to UT to do and his Education points in that direction. I also think his La Tech exp shows that is the type of guy he is. More power to him.
wvvolfan#270034 writes:
"Let me say this about the staff, because of this whole put together the best staff in the country, all this," Dooley said.
Does anyone proof-read these articles?
rich182x writes:
He so dang smart! Love it.
justsayn writes:
Good staff...they are only nobodies to people who don't follow football except in the SEC. I would rather the recruits be sold on the staff rather than some bloggers opinion. It's easy to be positive or negative before we've even played a game. I just choose to be positive.
VolinCalif writes:
Justsayn I think you're right. Positive people appear to win more often than Neg. people. Could have something to do with being Neg. is already on the trail to defeat.
utsandmann writes:
So far I'm very pleased with CDD and his staff. They are not "nobodies", and some have very good coaching records in both college and the pros. Do a little research before you start calling them nobodies. I do agree that how they coach is much more important than how they talk but like justsayn pointed out "It's easy to be positive or negative before we've even played a game. I just choose to be positive." I couldn't agree more. GBO!
flatrock writes:
I believe Mike Hamilton may have backed into a future high-riser in the coaching ranks. It looks as if he has assembled a solid staff, not a bunch of no-names as some idiot wrote earlier. I also believe that you win games in the trenches and, unfortunately, DD has inherited a very thin group on both sides of the ball. He is also facing the toughest schedule in the nation the next two years:
Oregon, Florida, Alabama and LSU will be Top 10
teams by the time we play them, plus next fall
we have to play AT Georgia and South Carolina
and a dangerous Ole Miss team will visit. It will be an UPSET if we are able to get a 'W'
against any of those in 2010 or 2011...However,
I am confident DD will build a strong program
and build it the right way. Go Vols!
bwilson177 writes:
WOW! Dooley is a breath of fresh air, I am betting in 2-3 years we will all be saying what a great hire!!!!
This guy has class, intelligence and is a great person
GreerVol22 writes:
To BigDoc, Biggunzz, and NoSirRee..you guys sounds like little girls that have had their Barbie doll heads ripped off by big bad brother Lane. The pain he inflicted must be unbearable.
reachkim00 writes:
Take off the Orange Colored glasses, it's gonna be a bumpy ride for a while.
516milesfromUT writes:
nope, its the economy again.
EnglewoodVol writes:
what part are you talking about?
VolAlum2003 writes:
WHAT?! How dare you inject reality into this conversation. Didn't you hear, Dooley hates HEADLINER coaches and uses the words "young men" to describe his players. These are the pieces to the puzzle that UT has searched for for years. Lane Kiffin's lack of folksy wisdom and "real America" charm were the only reasons we lost to Florida last year. I mean...Dooley even SOUNDS like us. How can we NOT beat Florida and Bama next year by 50 points each???
utsandmann writes:
Why is it that anytime people try to keep this board positive there is always someone there to talk about "Orange Colored glasses". I don't think anyone is saying that the Vols are going to be Nat. Champs next year or even SEC east champs. Looking at our schedule, frankly, I'll be happy with a 6-6 season this fall. But one thing I will always do, win or lose, bumpy ride or smooth is give my complete support to this university and it's teams. If you can't see the benefit of that then might I suggest you take off what ever colored glasses you happen to be wearing. It's long past time for Tennessee fans like you to get behind them without reserve. Part of the problem with the team is that we, the fans, seem to have lost our passion for Tennessee football. All a lot of you seem to do now is complain when something goes wrong. That isn't the way it was and it certainly shouldn't be the way it continues. Try supporting the team and not critizing them for a little while and see if the whole atmosphere surrounding Tennessee football doesn't improve! GBO
RockyToptoNeyland writes:
WHO IS COACHING THE RUNNING BACKS?
OldSmokey writes:
For those that haven't heard it yet here is a great interview with DL Coach Chuck Smith.
http://www.1045thezone.com/FlashPlaye...
chrisw2967 writes:
did anyone listen to chuck smith on 104.5 the other day ?He said his young men will have respect and they will say yes sir and no sir,he said its about bringing these young men up to be respectable men as well as players for the University of Tenn.
It all sounds good to me and I know there is going to be some bumpy roads ahead of us but I think in the long run its all going to work out.
but who is our RB & ST coaches ?
VolAlum2003 writes:
Improves to what? Improves how? No matter how many people here think that Derek Dooley is the second coming, it won't matter on the field. As for not mustering up the indomitable and irrational optimism that some posters have, there are a few of us that look at Derek Dooley's hire with a great amount of skepticism. Some posters hear his folksy charm and textbook college football answers and think that he is exactly what the University needs to make our program relevant. Others, like me, see such answers as diversions or patronizing drivel that mask a great uncertainty surrounding the timeline that he's utilized to solidify his team. For instance: why hasn't Dooley designated who will coach each position? I mean, I would think that each time he hired someone, he would be hiring them for a specific purpose...but a week after making final hiring decisions, he still claims that he's trying to figure out who should coach which spot...that is disturbing. Why do I care? Because TN is my alma mater and he's being paid by a taxpayer funded University in a state in which I pay taxes.
Orangealltheway writes:
I have to say I see things more deeper and maybe you need to take the blind fold off. Tennessee is very talented and has great players on Defense and special teams will be better and I think we have the makings of a good offensive line coming back and we should be ok on Defensive line. We are very young but we have some talented guys waiting to step up. Now the key to this, Florida, Alabama will be down some as they will be playing young guys but we have them at home. Georgia, LSU , South Carolina should be a little better but, Not unbeatable and we should beat these teams. Oregon can be beat(Wilcox knows how to stop them already.) This team will surprise you with the coaching and players that step up. Just wait and see .
utsandmann writes:
So you care about your alma mater (and mine by the way) because some of your tax dollars go to that school? That is a pretty sad reason to care. Some one please correct me if I'm wrong, but the last time I checked the athletic program at UT was self supporting. Meaning through revenues and boosters it pays for itself. So not a dime of your tax dollar goes to athletics. Instead it goes to academics, where it should. I have not once said that Dooley is the greatest coach or "second coming" of anything. But, like him or not, he is the coach and he deserves our support and not our criticism. As to how it will improve; I don't know how long you have been attending games but not all that long ago there was a time when you couldn't sit in Neyland and watch a game because everyone stood and cheered from kick off to the end. There was a time when it was one of the loudest and most feared venues in college football. It wasn't just because it was so large it was because of the passion of the fans. Now when I attend games I don't see people standing all that much. I don't see fans that cheer so much that they can barely talk after the game. I don't hear an entire stadium chanting "it's great, to be, a Tennessee Vol!" I do see people that leave the game early so they can beat the traffic, I do hear our on fans booing our players. And if you think that the coaches, players, and recruits don't see and hear what I do then I ask you how they can miss it? If you don't think that these players did, would, and will play harder when they know that, no matter what, we are behind them and they don't have to worry about what we'll say about them on Sunday - Friday then I ask you what good are fans? If fans don't change momentum, if they don't provide the "12th" man, if they don't support their team through the wins and, possibly more immportantly, the losses, then why do we even talk about home field advantage? Why even care at all if we make so little difference?
BigDave486 writes:
UTsandmann, you are absolutely correct - UT fans should support the athletic teams regardless of wins or losses or who's the coach! I am a UT alumni and a diehard Vol fan, a proud fan I should add! I will continue to support the Vols, whether through donations, wearing UT attire, attending sporting events, etc. Fair weather fans are a part of all sports, it’s just a shame that more times than not these same fans buy tickets but don’t show up for games because “they lost” or “the coach is an ___” (fill in the blank). I assure you that a lose hurts the players and coaches much more than it hurts the fans and any coach that rises to SEC level is not an idiot or whatever the fill in the blank may be.
So far CD2 has done nothing but earn my respect with his work ethic and his staff selections; he’s articulate, intelligent, and refreshing!
Coaches come and go but Neyland stadium; the Hill; the Rock; The Pride of The Southland Band; running through the “T”; the “Big Orange Screw” during registration; singing “Rocky Top”; and the Strip remain!
Dang proud to be a Tennessee Volunteer!!
GBO
utsandmann writes:
Again I say research these coaches a little before you assume they're worthless. As you've said "our coaching staff has not proved anything yet". I would also say that they haven't disproved anything either. I admit to being an optimist, you believe yourself a realist. But a realist would just say "we have to wait and see". Your view is pessimistic in nature. That is what bothers me. Realistically, as I've said, I think we will be lucky if we go 6-6 this year. Realistically we have a new, young coaching staff that has never been tried. Realistically moral surrounding this team has been in the toilet for several years. That's why I choose to look for the good. We need and have needed a change for years. It starts with the team, but we have to change too. I accept that we may struggle for several years before we get things right, but it shouldn't be because of a lack of support. GBO
tweetdriver63#346474 writes:
I saw it at the UT athletics Facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/video/video.php?v=590308684720
tweetdriver63#346474 writes:
I don't know why the link did that. You may need to copy and paste the entire link to get there.
tweetdriver63#346474 writes:
Well phooey. Apparently, you have to have facebook to go to the video. sorry if you don't. I tried.
Stepchild_nFL writes:
I am not concerned if he is a lawyer or not as long as he can convince these young men that it is not cool to pack heat.
justsayn writes:
VolAlum2003 and Biggunz44 we support because we are fans. That's right fans...which is short for fanatics. Now if we lose and I feel the coach had a bad game plan or the players didn't give effort I am critical also on Saturday night and maybe Sunday. By Monday I am all Vol and positive that we will win Saturday. But Coach Dooley and staff and players haven't done anything yet and you both are on here everyday, everyweek being critical. Do you just need to vent because your life is so bad, or Fulmer is still coach or Kiffin. You have said your opinion over and over and over and over again. We get where you're coming from...are you trying to get converts or something? We get on here every day because we are excited about our team...what is your excuse. You both just make me tired, it's time to catch some ZZ's. To the other fanatics out there ROCKY TOP!
rclarkfork#639958 writes:
As in all things in life, you can look at the glass as half full or half empty. Myself, don't like hanging around with people such as yourself who see the glass as half empty all the time. Enjoy it but many of us are looking for the positives and not any little negative we can find. You will still be seeing the glass half empty next time we win the SEC championship. Why? Because you can't see anything else in life. You talked about you cared because you are a tax payer and you care how your money is spent, well like another poster said, not a penny of your money went to the University of Tenn football program. You just talk in circles and never say a damn thing.
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
Flat, if you don't mind, I half a question. Misuse of "half" intentional being in a silly mood this AM.
Seriously, considering our thinness at the OL, DT, and DE it seems, do NCAA prohibit either of the following?
1. Walk ons joining the team after NSD. Walk ons defined as regular students who may or may not have played in high school but have possible potential.
2, Athletes who weren't rated as good enough for a scholarship offer opting to enroll and join the team on their own.
I ask because i can imagine certain individuals seeming our needs as a possible once in a lifetime chance to fulfill a dream of playing at the collegiate level and possibly pro later.
It can happen. you remember that guy in Philadelphia when Richard Vermeil coached the team and throw open opportunities to the common Joe and this nobody guy actually made the team and did pretty darn good. They put him on special teams at first but I think later he was a receiver of some sort. They even made a movie out of it. Well, back to the question, does the NCAA prohibit such a thing? If not maybe DD can have an open invite for students only (no regular players) to evaluate the possibility of using on campus talent that may otherwise go unused. I know I sound silly but, why not try it? I hope you half an answer.
give_him_6 writes:
Volincalif...I'd be careful about thinking we are going to be "a force" as you wrote. 6 wins would be outstanding!! 8 wins might be a bit of wishful thinking. Our schedule and the loss of players at kep positions make this a rebuilding year. Whether DD says it is or not. LoL!! I like the staff and the direction a heck of a lot more than I did Lame Kitten. But the fact is, even if there wasn't a coaching change, we were going to struggle this year. The schedule is a killer. I hope we play close as we did last year to Bama and Fla. And I hope we can win one that we shouldn't as well. 8 wins would be a testament to players playing above their heads and coaches coaching the phooey outta the players!!! I just hope everyone understands next year is going to be really tough and doesn't come down on Dooley for shortcomings that aren't his fault. We need to give him at least 4 years to stabalize the team depth and to see how he coaches. The good news is, if he can get us to 8 wins with everything going on next year, think what he could do with a full roster and good depth!!! Now that's exciting!!
letthebigdoghunt writes:
Half full,half empty seems that the missing ingredient is hope which is what I prefer. Don't see anybody complaining about a certain Utah coach and his nobody staff with no SEC ties,just say'in.GBO
jcp201 writes:
I agree. Why do people come in here day and night to whine? The last I checked, there's been no wins or losses for the 2010 football team on the field.
BolivarBob writes:
I'm saying it now.
txvolsfan writes:
Support without slander would be nice!!!
Just because they are nobodies to you doesn't mean they are nobodies to people who KNOW football.
GO VOLS
TXVOLSFAN
PS: I want the wins also, the former staff was getting talent but the verdict was still out on them to win also!!!
BolivarBob writes:
An Alabama fan I know posted on FaceBook that Layla Kiffin hated Knoxville because there were signs painted all over knoxville that said "Fire Lane Kiffin". I never heard anything like that. Anybody got any information that would confirm or discredit what he is saying?
hueypilot writes:
I'm sure CDD is waiting with wide-eyed anticipation on someone named BIGGUNZ to "give him a free pass" Please let him know the exact moment you approve so he can get some sleep at night. Or let him know when you absolutely don't approve so he can get his letter of resignation typed up. Either way, keep him posted.
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