DESTIN, Fla. - Derek Dooley only needed a few questions to figure out he wasn't speaking to a Tennessee audience Tuesday.
No one asked about Bryce Brown, Tennessee's running back in limbo (Will he transfer? Will Dooley take him back on the team if he doesn't transfer?).
Instead, UT's new football coach was asked about UT's last football coach, Lane Kiffin.
He should consider it a preview of the SEC football media days in Birmingham, Ala., this July. The only difference: The media contingent at the spring meetings is much smaller.
Nonetheless, it included a sampling of national media - from Fox, ESPN and The Sporting News, all of whom gleefully reported and commented on Kiffin's high-profile sniping of opposing coaches, particularly Florida's Urban Meyer.
Suffice to say: Dooley followed Kiffin before he succeeded him.
"Of course, I did," Dooley said. "He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. . . . I watch other coaches, how they handle themselves in tough situations.
"It wasn't my style. That's Lane's style. I'm not here to criticize his style. Everybody is a little different.
"But I don't think it helps you to win football games, getting in verbal attacks with each other. At the end of the day, a good headline in March isn't going to win you any football games."
Kiffin had his style. Dooley has his plan.
Dooley's plan was formed, in part, by seven years as an assistant to Nick Saban, who has won national championships at both LSU and Alabama.
"He probably has a tremendous amount of influence on my day-to-day operation of a football program," Dooley said. "One of the reasons I really enjoyed working for Nick so long is that philosophically we're cut from the same cloth."
Saban returned the compliment when he met with the media later Tuesday.
"Derek is a fine young coach," Saban said. "He is a very good recruiter, very personable, and probably one of the most organized guys we've ever had on our staff.
"He made an outstanding contribution in every way. He understands the big picture."
Saban speculated that Dooley's football comprehension could be traced to his childhood.
"We just had dinner with (Dooley's parents) Vince and Barbara Sunday night," Saban said. "Barbara was telling stories about Derek watching film with Vince when he was 5 years old. Sometimes, that kind of experience helps you see the big picture. I think he's going to do an outstanding job there.
"I just hope the people are positive. Everybody needs to know that's a big part of being successful."
Dooley already has developed an appreciation for his Big Orange support group.
"We went through a tough couple of months in December and January," he said. "We had a bad incident in basketball (in which four players were arrested). Then, what happened in football (with Kiffin deserting the program after just one year).
"But the first basketball game I walk into, it's 22,000 screaming Volunteer fans.
"It speaks volumes about that fan base. Anybody can cheer when they're winning. But they have been incredibly supportive, they're very knowledgeable and they have great passion."
Dooley is now aware that he owes them something in return.
"Sometimes, you can get in a little cocoon as a coach," he said. "All you're worried about is your little area, and you don't care what anybody thinks.
"But we do have a responsibility to the university and the fans. We're going to keep that in mind."
John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 122
stayingorange writes:
Put that plan to action this fall.
RoadTrip writes:
Total control of the situation. We are in good hands.
westennvol writes:
I believe whole-heartedly that Coach Dooley will be a great success at UT, not this year, or the next, but 3 years from now we will be headed to the top of the league.....Good Luck Coach D
vols2#227315 writes:
Hamilton should be put on probation for hiring a football coach who never had a winning record and giving him a six year contract to start off with. UT will be atlast 6 years before a quality coach can be hired because of his 7 million buyout. Doodley can not be a good coach if he start Sims at quarterback over Bray.
newportvol writes:
hope you are joking if not put down the peace pipe and sobber up Kiffin = ncaa penalties
FWBVol writes:
I think Saban makes a great point about Derek Dooley seeing the big picture. Most fans, myself included, get caught up on the individual smaller pictures that form the big picture.
Yes, recruiting is a big part of the whole picture, but we've all seen great recruiting without retaining those kids and coaching them up means nothing.
Doing the public appearances for the fans is an important part of the picture, but as good as Bruce Pearl is with the media if he wasn't winning basketball games we would be calling for his head. As CDD said in his first press conference, he is here to win football games, not press conferences.
I believe we have the guy that can win and win big if we remain patient while he rebuilds our depleted roster.
tngivem6 writes:
wow, if Hammy should be put on propation, what should happen to the AD @ USC for hiring Whats-his-name for 4 million a year?
tnsportsman writes:
Coach Dooley was raised by a champion and trained by a champion! The Big Orange will be great under Coach Dooley's leadership!
GO VOLS, WE ARE UT!
OrangePride writes:
Well, that would put YOU in a very distinct minority.
PureOrange writes:
WHY???
agohn writes:
Let's give this man and his staff the years he need before we rush to judgement on his past record. He definitely didn't have the booster and financial support for the last couple of years at LA Tech. I am all vol through and through since 78' and a 4th generation graduate. Let's stand behind this team and University because we are going to be mediocre for a little while until we get on tract. Go Vols and Believe in Orange!!
CHITOWNVOL writes:
Glad CDD has class and all, but in the SEC nobody takes mercy on the nice guy, even when he is down. One exception to that, maybe Fulmer; yet he found no reciprocity when our chips were down. I listened to Rivals Radio this morning on Sirius and the host (Bill) is from Tennesse (nashville). he seems so positive we are going to be horrible this year. I could see us easily popping 7 or more wins and maybe a surprising bowl bid and victory. I know our OL is hurting, which in turn will stagnate the offense. However, I can still see us squeeking out some Ws with our D and clever play calling. Am I crazy?
mrvol2u writes:
Are you sure you should not post under "daffy" instead of naffy?
Kiffool and Ogre? You still want those guys after what they did? They are slicker than the Gulf Coast. Trying to guide UT players already on campus to USC and using UT resources to do so.
I will become a Vandy fan if they ever coach at UT again.(A fate worse than death)
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
Saban: "I just hope the people are positive. Everybody needs to know that's a big part of being successful."
People, take note.
crimsonviper writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
worldwideturd writes:
Tell us about Charley Pell and Gaylon Hall before you cast stones in your glass swamp
BradleyJKinkaid writes:
No. He will be a good coach because he DOES NOT START Bray over Simms. Bray is the better QB, but at this point in his career it doesn't mean he's going to win more ball games.
Simms will probably start while Bray gets fed into the system and fed beans & taters. Smart move will be to start Simms, let him get his lumps while Bray learns and prepares for the future.
Can't believe how uptight and trigger happy some of you guys are.
mrvol2u writes:
Crazy, no. A positive Vol fan, yes. I am a positive fan as well. 7 wins is not out of the question but 6 would be a more realistic best case season. Not only is our line a question, but we have unproven QB's. I think we will have a positive season. What I mean is that we may not win the number of games we would like to and we will not be playing for the east crown but we will see things turning towards the positive. We will improve as the season progresses and special teams will improve. I think the fan base will solidify behind this group of coaches and off we go.
Kiffool and his merry bunch of felons would have fared no better Without his dad debunking the Urban-myth offense, Kiffool would have just had a mediocre season last year. He coached poorly in several key losses last year and his special teams played bad.
It was probably Bill King. He and Bob Bell did a sports talk show on 1510 WLAC in Nashville with Duncan Stewart(The guy who camped out on the billboard till UT ended it's infamous losing streak). Bill did one the 1st recruiting shows on radio. He would run down the list and tell you if they were leaning to, undecided, or committed to a school. I will never forget one night after UT lost about 4 or 5 commits, Bill King was in disbelief that these guys changed their minds. Some wise, old farmer calls in and says, "Bill, they are all suspects, not prospects, till they sign."
flatrock writes:
Derek Dooley has one ingredient that Gator fans
just can't grasp--class. He was raised by a
coaching legend, played for one of the soundest
minds in college football and worked for the gold standard in today's game. He has inherited
a program that is in a deep hole, but I'm
betting he quietly and efficiently builds it back to respectability. It is time for true
Vol fans to get behind the football Vols just
like they did Bruce Pearl and his Vols last
January.
coach799 writes:
This guy is going to surprise people for the next two years. The coaching staff will coach them up and injuries will determine our success this year. GO VOLS!!
AllforTenn writes:
Had you been posting in 1964 you would probably have said the same thing about Doug Dickey being hired. You have no idea of Dooley's ability, just an attitude.
Huttdawg100 writes:
One of the things Belichick, Parcells, Saban, Bill Walsh, and Mike Holmgren all have in common is that they are known for being well organized and tedious. That translates on to the field in the form of discipline: we saw this up close in the years when Cutcliffe coached the offense: fewer blown assignments Fewer mistakes, fewer penalties, better clock management, better outcomes, raised expectations. That's a plus for Dooley. Furthermore, Saban's not going to keep people around who are unorganized and counter productive. Saban's a straight shooter, and he knows who has it and who doesn't.
The more I look at his resume, the more Dooley impresses me. I've spoken with as many people who know LA Tech football as possible. They all say the same thing: he's got the "it factor". I look at LA Tech's record under Dooley(not just win/loss, but where and who they played); I see encouraging signs. I expect a significant turn around in year two under Dooley. It will be difficult at times, but I am convinced that Hamilton stumbled across a diamond.
Huttdawg100 writes:
I detest people who talk smack, but can't back it up. Kiffin has yet to back up anything he's ever said. I drank the Kool-Aid just like a lot of people. I refused to believe Al Davis because he's old and as loony as Dr. Lou. But no more. The NCAA is about to "strike down upon USC with great vengeance and furious anger" and make an example out of them. Pete Carroll ran from USC just like Cal ran from Memphis. The results will be the same.
As for Coach O:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txlOre...
Huttdawg100 writes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8EUgT...
TommyJack writes:
Scholars disagree on this.
OrangeinCarolina2 writes:
Now that's dang funny! What a troll. I'm 100% behind Coach Dooley and excited about what he will do with this team over the next few years. Discipline and character WILL win games. Wait and see. GO VOLS!
tnbud62#231266 (Inactive) writes:
best comment on the board!
OrangePsyched writes:
Very good article...copy this and give to potential recruits. Though I am a gator and bama hater I am not blind. Saban is probably the best coach in college football...he once fired his DC for getting him lost during a recruiting trip. He don't keep anyone who is incompentent. Dooley has the pedigree and experience. Next year we will have better special teams play more discipline and a better game plan. GOOD OLE ROCKY TOP!
alwaysVol writes:
lets see what happens friday.
VolinCalif writes:
Now! Now! Now! You bad mouthed both Kiff and Coach O on every post you made last year. The only reason you would like them back is that they were always in the news and you could yell your head off. Naffy I don't know what team you really support if any, but allow me to tell you something. I was born and raised a Vol for better or worse. But I loved Bear B, Steve S, Johnny V, Bobby D and yes V. Dooley. There are other, Woody H, Bo S, John McKay They are all great coaches of the past had great team and made football what it is today. NS and UM are great coaches but they have not built the SEC. Trolls like you are sick, just why can't you show a little smarts and talk up the rivalry and have a little fun doing it? I banged against Bama fans my hole life and believe me they could trash talk great 40 years ago. The fact was they had more to brag about back then, They had never been on the bottom. But you appear to be the bottom,Get off it and have a little fun talking to Fans.
richvol writes:
As Forrest Gump's barber said,"he's just the local idiot".
tsaecesnitsebhtruof writes:
So in three years UT will be "headed to the top of the league"? Ummm.....OK.
tsaecesnitsebhtruof writes:
The original Goff will be upset when he hears Papa Dools was kickin' it with Satan on Saturday night.
bigvol662004 writes:
I'm kinda' scratching my head a little over this whole article....Why would ANYONE ask their NEW coach about the coaching style of their LAST coach? Should they be concentrating on the NEW coaches' style a bit more? Sure, CDD'S organizational/recruiting skills are mentioned here, but shouldn't that be the FOCUS? Lame Kitten's reign of terror is OVER! At least CDD was classy in his responses to this silly line of questioning! Go Vols!
tsaecesnitsebhtruof writes:
You tell 'em flatrock!
281Vol writes:
We all do.
tsaecesnitsebhtruof writes:
Nice post but when you use "hole" instead of "whole" you make it easier for the haters.
dvhill100 writes:
LOL too funny.
Ringside writes:
FROM TRASH TO CLASS. Good luck CDD
txvolsfan writes:
Kiffin had a losing record also?
His buyout is not $7m
and do you have ANY CORRECT data
to back your statment?
terrible post whether Dooley is a success or not!!!
volunteerintexas writes:
the real question is... 'Can Dooley recruit as well as Kiffin' ... that's what this whole thing comes down to.
i'm getting tired of hearing this 'character' business...Mark Richt at Georgia is a man of great character, he recruits pretty well, he's known as a great coach and respected by his peers, BUT, his program is stuck in the doldrums. He got thumped by Oklahoma State last year.
I'm sure Dooley is a great guy. But Kiffin could convince today's inner city 5-star kids from far-away states that he could get them to the pros. That's why they came. Can Dooley do the same? I don't think so. Georgia doldrums, here we come.
vol88 writes:
Dang right! You beat me to it. I'll be the youngster has never heard of either of them.
Back on topic, as bad as I hate the Bammers, I don't mind having a coach who studied under Saban. GBO.
halloffamebowler writes:
Explain how you know that Sims should start over Bray.Do you attend practice? Did you watch both play before they came to Ternnessee? Are you an evaluator of telent?Have you coached both players,therefore know the plus and minus of each?Are you just plain stupid and want the whole Vol nation to know it through your stupid posts?
fUTureVol writes:
Not crazy, optomistic is more like it. Hey, I'm with you brother, why watch the game if you don't even carry the hope of winning! There have been teams in the past, loaded with freshmen that have surprised and turned optimism into winning on the field. Let's hope we can fall into that catagory.
Pullingguard writes:
Well said FWB, and I think all of us expect miracles on every aspect of the program. Lot of negative remarks on recruiting, myself included, but long range Dooley will probably do a good job in winning and represent the University in a very professional manner. We should all remember that nothing short of a miracle would put the Vols back where we all want them short term. Dooley has to be given time and opportunity to bring the team back from the past couple of years and hopefully without too much negative print about his efforts. Lets see how it plays out over the next 2/3 years... And, it will take that long.
196SVol writes:
Did you girls even READ the post?!! He said coach "Goff", not coach Dooley!
CAReed writes:
WHY?????
BigBadVol writes:
That's because you are incredibly stupid.
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
This is a given: DD and anyone associated knows that TN is a great school, with a solid tradition in athletics and very passionate fans.
The unknown: Can DD effectively get this program back to a solid 9-11 wins per year? The tough part is the fact that he has let his ego and unique style has rubbed some folks in the locker room the wrong way. If that translates to Wins, no one cares, JMO if it translates into a 4-5 win season it will start a snow ball effect that will take years to correct....and yes his Mentor (Nick Saban) a similar situation-- like Jim Tressell at Ohio State and Mark Dantonio at Mich State, they are former workers, still friends and Ohio State beats Mich State like dogs annually.
Outcome; Time will tell
easleychuck writes:
Funny Michael Oher said something very similar, well not really. Michael Oher said that he wished that David Cutcliffe had still been at Ole Miss, instead of Ogre.
I guess to each his own.
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