Marc Berman didn’t know what to think of newly hired Tennessee coach Derek Dooley — until he met him Thursday.
“I think the visit went well,” said Berman, who is the coach at Miami Hialeah High School. “I was very impressed with coach Dooley.”
Berman said he was particularly impressed with Dooley’s plan to rebuild UT’s football program. That plan involves recruiting two Hialeah prospects who Dooley met: defensive linemen Corey Lemonier and Calvin Smith.
“Now, it’s a matter of what my kids think,” Berman said.
Smith, who was committed to UT before the Vols’ latest coaching change, seems more likely to end up at UT than Lemonier.
“I would think so,” Berman said.
Smith, who is 6-4 and 265 pounds, is considering Alabama, where he is scheduled to visit this weekend, North Carolina, Florida State and Illinois.
Lemonier is a 6-5, 225-pound, defensive end with room to grow. He said this month that he is down to UT, Florida State and Auburn.
While the two could end up at the same school, Lemonier said playing together in college isn’t a strong factor in their recruitment.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57 men's…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 43
westknoxvol24 writes:
sick em
AlpharettaVol writes:
Looks like our new coach's straight forward, no nonsense approach is going to be a welcome change from the double talking used car salesman who just left.
OMEN1618 writes:
Go CDD!!!! This guys a class act!
Hounddog writes:
Coach Berman, ask your players where they can be superstars NOW? Opportunity equals TENNESSEE.
Let's play football. Hounddog.
firemanbill1#559085 writes:
Coach is definitely off to a better start in Florida than the last yutz we had
OMEN1618 writes:
So far Dooley seems Great & maybe his law background will keep us out of trouble with the NCAA. Perhaps Lane bailing was a blessing in disguise! Coach Dooley you have my full support. A good Omen this is!
AllVols writes:
This would be huge to land both of these guys, let alone one of them. They are both huge linemen that could add a lot to our defensive front. Look for our DL to move some people around next year.
VolinCalif writes:
At last! At last something on the recruiting process. I thought I'd Pee on myself before there was any more news.
DerekDoolander writes:
I think they all liked my hair today.
VOLINTN64 writes:
This man exudes integrity and will create a new Dynasty in college football and in the SEC.We are in for one heck of a ride and I am excited about our future.Thanks Coach Dooley for stepping up to the plate and bringing pride back to Big Orange Country.
bryanvolsfan writes:
Alot of Vol fans are impressed with the guy, so why wouldn't prospects and their coaches be either!
mdvol writes:
Baby Dooley is on a mission!!!
orangelovinyankee writes:
Sounds like Coach Dooley has convinced some bloggers that he isn't so bad after all. I like the tone of the comments now. We all need to be patient as difficult as it may be after what we have been through.
Neylands_Maxims writes:
Let's reel 'em in, coach 'em up, and put 'em on the field Coach Dooley. And have 'em ready to play.
Remember....
1. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win.
2. Play for and make the breaks and when one comes your way - SCORE.
3. If at first the game - or the breaks - go against you, don't let up... put on more steam.
4. Protect our kickers, our QB, our lead and our ball game.
5. Ball, oskie, cover, block, cut and slice, pursue and gang tackle... for this is the WINNING EDGE.
6. Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made.
7. Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for 60 minutes.
Neylands_Maxims writes:
Note that Kiffin's practices were at times toooooooo physical. At times we were undermanned or banged up in the game because of Kiffin's physical practices right before key match ups.
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
I think maybe that's what a dynasty is . . . .
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
And we've got the Georgia part down . . .
BradleyJKinkaid writes:
Plenty of life lessons to be learned by all of us related to the recent tribulations our program has endured.
Even though I felt it necessary to support the old regime to a degree (I didn't endorse all that the old coach did or said), the one thing I felt the worst about was being sucked in to drinking the kool-aide.
Lesson learned - bad company corrupts good morals! Take that to the bank, and so far I fully support Coach Dooley.
GO VOLS!!!
Neylands_Maxims writes:
Another note. I didn't like Kiffin's "game chances" much of the time. I never like our odds when we 'run up the gut' on third and long or fourth and goal. lol But I understand your point nonetheless.
TennVolAlum writes:
Those who have read my posts, know that I am very skeptical of hiring coach Dooley. I still am skeptical.
HOWEVER, as a Tennessee Alum, I am very greatful that Dooley is bringing class back to this program that has been thrown under the bus by "he who shall not be named" and the national media.
Thank you coach Dooley for representing the University of Tennessee in a respectful manner. It also appears that Dooley is stepping up to the plate regarding recruiting.
JimHalpert writes:
no gas stations, no cheerleaders, no disparaging remarks about entire communities. Thank you Gawd!
RegentVol writes:
Does anyone know the latest buzz around who UT is looking at for Defensive Coordinator??? Looks like KNS got hushed up after they leaked the Kevin Steele stuff. I need some gossip!!!
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
Is this all the news?! CLK made news hourly. Of course, it was never good news . . . . Where the hell are the new coaches?
DuvalVol writes:
Thats pretty good man,.....
Neylands_Maxims writes:
I believe you have our Maxims mixed up with Alabama's lol
Neylands_Maxims writes:
poor Colt McCoy lol
Neylands_Maxims writes:
Like I said.... I understand your point. He had our offense doing some positive things. They were fun to watch a majority of the time. My desktop image is still set to Hardesty's spin move from the South Carolina game. lol Favorite play of the year by far.
BornVolDieVol writes:
Generally speaking, people aren't stupid and they can appreciate when a person is genuine, honest and hard-working, such as Coach Dooley! These are also the kind of people we want to attract to our program... the rest can take a hike to USC.
CopperTop writes:
I love Coach Dooley, he's got high school coaches that like him! Unlike.......nevermind I don't even want to think or talk about the rat.
AllVols writes:
I agree firmly with what you have commented on. In particular, how you pointed out physical practices. As Fulmer wore down, UT, IMO, was a bit of a punching bag. If you notice, top teams in the SEC (Florida, Bama, and LSU) are all physical teams. Saban is notorious for his physicality in the way he coaches; LSU, not much different. These teams in the recent past have had full throttle, unrelenting, and hard-nose defenses.
Like it or not, Kiffin and Co. brought a little bit of that to UT. It is important to note that CDD may be able to coach these athletes well, but it is equally important that he manages the team well.
I expect a lot from CDD, and I think he will bring a lot.
chaos001 writes:
After this last year, I hope the General can be at peace.
Let's not forget these maxims this next season like they were last year!
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Don't feel sorry for young Mr. McCoy, he made off like the proverbial bandit.
423tiger18 writes:
Excellent Post!!
dgcarter43 writes:
While coach Dooley is in Florida, it would be great if he can get either Calvin Smith or Cory Lemonier and Chaz Green, the 290 lb. OL that has been favoring Tenn. for some time. If he could get all three, what a haul. Good luck coach Dooley.
american_pitvol_terrier writes:
Peaches are fine, as long as they are pretty peaches.
kyvol98 writes:
I am behind CDD 110%. I am also being patient with the coaching hires, as I know we will be in good shape.
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
There were really 38 Maxims. According to Bob Gilbert's book "Neyland", they were:
1.Thou shalt charge and block.
2.Thou shalt charge and fight.
3.A good blocker never looks back.
4.One good blocker is worth 3 ball-carrying stars.
5.A team that won't be beat can't be beat.
6.The team that makes the fewest mistakes wins.
7.Never stop till the referee's whistle blows.
8.Press the kicking game.
9.Make and play for the breaks. When one comes your way, SCORE!
10.If the game or break goes against you, don't lie down. Put on some steam.
11.Don't save yourself. Go the limit. There are good men on the sidelines when you are exhausted.
12.Football is a battle. Go out and fight and keep it up all afternoon.
13.A man's value to his team varies inversely as his distance from the ball.
14.If the line goes forward, the team wins.
15.NEVER lose the ball on downs.
16.You can't fight like a man with less than 100 percent loyalty and college spirit.
17.You can't do yourself justice without getting and staying in condition.
18.At least 3 men make every tackle. Gang tackling.
19.Let none escape.
20.First rush equals 6 yards.
21.Eleven men in every play.
22.Use your head; 75 percent of football is above the neck.
23.One increasing purpose.
24.A quitter never wins, and a winner never quits.
25.Keep everlastingly on the job.
26.Be the 1st to line up.
27.Never stop fighting.
28.No good blocker or tackler was ever left off a football team.
29.Use your eyes, hands, legs, and your head.
30.Be aggressive; you can't win the game on your side of the scrimmage line.
31.If the game is going against you, keep your head up, set your jaw, and dig in. This is what tests the stuff you are made of.
32.(Neyland's handwriting faded)
33.'Turf' their defese! Get them down!
34.A winning team quickens its play as it nears the goal line!
35.Get the jump on your teammates on the charge.
36. Follow the ball!
37.Play your own position well - first.
38.Line - charge with the ball!
rockytopatl writes:
It may be a wee bit early to be using the D word, especially Capitalized. That's the kind of post that could come back to haunt you. That said, such a report from a high school coach, especially one from Florida, is very encouraging.
utvolfan98 writes:
Brilliant!
Morton writes:
Great post.
utvolfan98 writes:
Very well said.
Ayres_Hall writes:
Yep. NSD may be a dissapointment but at least we can see where we are headed. It's all good but patience is necessary.
joeaubie writes:
5 of ours counted towards last years class so that theory doesn't fly.
Lemonier down to UM, FSU, and Auburn-if you guys get a chance with him it will be a major upset.
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