Derek Dooley is continuing to shape the Tennessee program the way he wants it.
But with his latest hire, the Vols football coach made clear he’s still leaning heavily on the past in the process.
Former UT defensive back Andre Lott became the newest addition to the staff on Wednesday, taking over the newly created position of Vol for Life/Character Education coordinator — one of Dooley’s top priorities since taking over the program in January.
“Hiring Andre to coordinate our VFL program is one of the many steps we have taken to reshape our culture into one that produces not only great players and great teams, but more importantly, greater men,” Dooley said in a release. “Andre represents everything it means to be a ‘Vol for Life.’
“He excelled at the highest level on the playing field in the SEC and the NFL, and did so as a man of high character and principles.”
On the field Lott was a part of 53 victories during his five years at UT before playing five more in the NFL. And off it he was a respected captain and a two-time member of former coach Phillip Fulmer’s Unity Council.
After his playing career he coached track and was an assistant football coach while also serving as the success coordinator in the Hardin County school system, a role similar to the one Dooley created to help mentor and guide the Vols.
“I am excited about this opportunity and feel it is a job I was meant to do,” Lott said in the release. “I have a tremendous passion for helping develop young people, and an even greater passion for my alma mater.”
Now Lott will be putting those two items together to help Dooley reshape UT.
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 62
Down_The_Field writes:
how bout a special teams coach?
tnsportsman writes:
Lott is a good choice. Young enough to relate to the players and experienced enough to bring insight.
GO VOLS, WE ARE UT!
kfa1979#319418 writes:
Glad to see Dooley is keeping it in the family. I like his approach...
CLEMSONVOL716WASBANNED writes:
Maybe Urban can use him occasionally to help keep his players out of the slammer.
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
Chuck Smith, Johnny Majors welcomed again, Al Wilson & Peyton back in town, now Andre Lott joining the team.
I like this family thing going on here. If a kid doesn't see all this and wonder "It's gotta be good here to have all these former guys STILL hanging around and coming back", then I don't think they will get it. Like the trolls.
thevoice writes:
So now maybe we can go after the 5-star studs and sick Andre on 'em.
CoverOrange writes:
Iron fist? Don't you need an iron pot to shrink heads? Or just a couch?
CoverOrange writes:
Don't tell me...on weekends you use it to whip up blueberry pancakes.
jcherrie#219531 (Inactive) writes:
I asked Coach Dooley about this decision.
He indicated that Witch Doctor would have been his choice for a "character" coach - where character is define by Webster's definition 9. "Informal . an odd, eccentric, or unusual person. "
Instead he was looking for a character coach - where 'character' is defined by Webster's definition 3. " moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character. "
Witch Doctor need to interpret job postings more carefully.
jcherrie#219531 (Inactive) writes:
But even Witch Doctor's techiques would fail if used on the Trolls on this site. As evidenced by their repead idiotic posts, their heads are already at the absolute minium size according to the laws of science.
worldwideturd writes:
Sounds like the Gators could probably use a character coach as well. Remember you guys are running away with the Fulmer Cup. I am not sure the infamous Pilot cheeseburger heist holds a candle to using a dead coed's credit card for nearly a year.
VolGrad writes:
Did you bring your Vince Dooley doll sporting the Tennessee cap to that interview? I'm sure he would have enjoyed that one.
chaos001 writes:
better student-athletes and save the bottom dollar for the biggest donors! two birds. one stone.
69vol08 writes:
Great idea! Love what Dooley is building here! It is obvious that he is building the foundation for a "long-term" plan...instead of quick success at any cost. This is a great approach and should be successful...if people will be patient and let it work.
Behind Coach D 100% !
PHAT_VOL writes:
Good article and great idea. Keeping it in the family. Coach Dooley is building a good program a block at a time.
GO VOLS
PHAT_VOL writes:
Well said !
taylorsvolfan writes:
WD full of poopoo. Brown eyes never lie.
cumberlandVOL writes:
easy, doc. surely we haven't sunk to a "win at all costs" attitude. i thought that thinking left when the previous coach left.
give it some time, we'll get there. we want to get there the right and honorable way. who wants to cheer for a bunch of thugs who may be good athletes but aren't good representatives of our state and university? i know i don't. there IS more to life than winning football games, right? right?
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
This is amoung the stupidest comments I have ever read. And for the record : "I don't give a damn about the whole state of Alabama, nor what makes YOU feel fuzzy".
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
taylorsvolfan full of envy.
posts never lie.
RoadTrip writes:
I cannot express just how happy I am that the Liar Surfer Dude is on the left coast watching his upper classman being recruited away; while at the same time we have a high quality HC that is building a program that is committed to winning on the field as well as teaching young man how to win at life.
And one more thing. WD - you are in rare form today! Thanks for the laughs...
Mule_Days_King writes:
My nephew plays for Hardin County and really admires Mr Lott. He said that Andre was always pushing him on and off the field. Glad to hear that he has landed back on The Hill.
RespectTradition writes:
There is more to be said for this hire than just the fact that Mr. Lott is a good man and should excel in his new role. The bigger issue is that Coach Dooley recognized the need for this position and has done something about it. Kudos to him.
Go Vols!
oskie_score writes:
The creation of a Character Coach to assist in the development of the young men whose family have entrusted CDD, staff and the University of Tennessee with their education and well-being, yet another positive building block in the rehabilitation of a program that has abated and strayed.
Being in position to complete for Division, SEC and Natl Championships may be a few years down the road however, IMHO, (the development of) the core values and integrity of this program are not only headed in the right direction but well ahead of schedule.
Character and discipline does not/will not hamper winning...it will promote it.
Stay the course Coach Dooley, your task is not an easy one but you and your staff have the support of all true Volunteers and the Vol Nation.
orangecountyvols writes:
DoctorVol
May we ask for your expertise with regard to the football program? How would you handle things if you were running everything?
We don't ever need a Neyland, a Dickey, a Fulmer, or a Dooley.........we have the ones right here who know the answers.
First of all, you know how to bring in your 5 star athletes, then you know how to beat Florida so we should all feel, as you said..........fuzzy inside.
Always room for more negatives, Vol fans. 2010 will have no suspense, we've already been told how it'll go.
Good grief...........
nocleats writes:
Also gives another contact to the west Tennessee and Memphis area.
Volunatic writes:
I heard that guys who feel all fuzzy inside tend to be terrible recruiters.
DaddyVol writes:
It's great to add an extra recruiter to the staff...not to mention one of high character.
Now we need Al Wilson to be the Sergeant-At-Arms.
FWBVol writes:
Often the difference between the 2-star kid and the 5-star kid is nothing more than exposure. Look at some of the measurables, i.e. size, 40 times, jumps heights and distances, and there are several 2 and 3 star kids that measure with the 4 and 5 star kid in the tale of the tape and the tale of the clock.
Derek Dooley knows his long term success will be measured by the number of football games he wins and how well his teams compete for championships. He was able to get some late addition 4-5 star kids after he was hired. A lot of kids that commit now will change their minds six or eight times between now and NSD so I'm not too worried about the class in June. A lot of the players are waiting to see what kind of offensive and defense UT will run in the fall.
I love this hire bringing in a former Vol who has had success at every level and has embodied the kind of character on and off the field Derek Dooley is trying to establish with this program.
For those that say a kid can't be a 4 or 5 star recruit and still be a character guy I give you Peyton Manning, Al Wilson, Tee Martin, Reggie White, Peerless Price and countless other Volunteer greats through the years that have excelled on and off the football field.
Welcome Home Andre Lott.
VolinCalif writes:
I like you response. I do! I do, I do!
Older than Dirt. I am! I am!
jcherrie#219531 (Inactive) writes:
Really? Well heck! Offer them a quid pro quo - they shrink your head - you shrink theirs!!!
At most Witch Doctor suffers from slight neurosis. However, the Bama and Florida trolls suffer from accute ASPD!
(see I got the pamphlets too!)
jcherrie#219531 (Inactive) writes:
Don't forget Eric Berry!!!!!!
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
Sarcasm and smirking snide remarks aside, this is a grand idea. Too many kids of all walks of life come from broken home, two working parents, and more. The guidance that traditional homes once provided young people is disappearing and society is paying the price in more kids developing hoodlum attitudes. So it's nice knowing at least one institution realizes this and seeks to address it somewhere along the line to adulthood. And hopefully before that adult becomes just another sociopath wearing a police uniform, devoid of integrity politician screwing the constituency, teacher more into getting into students pants instead of putting education into their heads, doctor who thinks rushing throw surgery and leaving instruments in a patient so a golf appointment isn't missed and it goes on. So I'm happy to see someone, especially the UT taking this bold step. I hope it proves wildly successful.
CadmiumOchre (Inactive) writes:
I used to work for an agency that had the philosophy of USING it's personnel up. And to heck with their families, their health, being overworked and anything else. Then when they were burnt out or some aim achieved, the employees were tossed aside like an empty beer or soda can. The goal being to get everything out of the personnel you could without a thought of them being human beings. Give them in return a pat on the back now and then while you have them and a foot in the azz when you dumped them. You would have fit right into this agency DoctorVol50, You have just the right touch of arrogance.
How often have you been told by wiser heads here that DD, the way he came in, recruiting was over. More or less he is forced to do damage control right now. Top recruits have to see that the UT is once again a mecca worth journeying to before they will come our way again. Until then DD has to take what he can get, including 5 stars who're smart enough to realize the UT offers not only the next step in the sport of football but actually cares about its athletes enough to make them qualified for success after all sports glory has faded into half forgotten memories. The five stars will return because DD knows something you never will understand. He knows parents who see the total picture of his program will all but take a hickory stick and maybe the threat of disowning to make sure their kids come to the UT. He knows junkies like you who only care about their quick fix so you can feel good and to h%$#@ with how it affects anyone don't belong at the UT.
Back in the mid-1990's I recall reading an article (U.S. News&World Report I think)where several ex players who were stars in college were homeless, living under bridges and run down abandoned houses. This is exactly what your quick fix means for those kids' future but you don't give a darn do you? Not as long as you get your quick fix. DD is going to get our wins over Gators, Tigers, and wet blankets, uh, high water, I mean Tide without treating his players like used toilet paper. Folks like you will never understand the concept that players are bona fide human beings before, during, and after their playing days. So pick up your needles, dope, crack pipe and get out of town. I'm sorry, that's rude of me. Get off the planet, better yet out of the solar system. I'm in favor of having you serve as yIntagh veQ shoveling targ Qu'vatlh on a Klingon troop transport ship captained by Gowron.
VOLume27 writes:
Dr. Leroy Collins of 3sib, is that you?
nonewsisgoodnews writes:
On Fulmer and Kiffin's staff, this position was labeled "Bail Bondsman".
Keep up the great hires Dooley. This year might be a challenge in the win column, but shouldn't be in the raising of teens to be men column.
Lizardgrad89 writes:
So, is Lott going to actually coach a position as well?
I only ask because if he's not going to coach a position, he'd be better situated in the athletic department administration than on the coaching staff itself.
I mean, you can CALL him whatever you like, but having him actually be on the coaching staff without coaching makes no sense. Coaching slots are limited, but you can have all the administrators you want.
Down_The_Field writes:
carlos dunlap?? i could spell out 29 others for your coach if i wasn't late for work.
at least our players MISS games. btw - games is plural. i'd seriously doubt that urbum cryer would have kick any of the players off the team that were involved in the pilot crime if he were coach.
compare our punishments to the gay-turd punishments, brainiac. there's an obvious difference.
also, in gay-turd land, if the coach is too undecided to administer punishment, he has the players to tell him what punishment he is to hand out (spikes?).
and your latest DUI arrest? ah, don't worry, cryer will have him suited up by the second game or 2nd half of the first.
the inmates running the prison.....this is the price you and your turds pay for success.
nola_vol writes:
A great hire for the masses? A good hearted story? I think you're missing the point of the story here:
The first thing in rebuilding a program is to put in the structure IN WHICH your personnel will perform. This new position with Lott is a structure move--and evidently one that CDD intended to create as soon as he found the right person for it.
The 5-star point being...
What good does it do UT to sign top talent if we don't keep them in school, out of jail, at practice, and on the field?
I understand where you're coming from, but I think in this case your impatience for success temporarily blinded you to the substantial importance of this move.
Relax and enjoy the journey! For fans, the road to success is far more enjoyable than the task of maintaining it. Our most memorable moments are cheering at the end of a close win--not just wiping our brow and saying, "Whew."
VOLliven2it writes:
In response to bamabeacher, your day is coming man, just keep on talking. But do yourself and all of us a favor, take it to the Saban and bama sites. If you have another undefeated season and win it all, then crow. But be careful on a team's fan site criticizing its talent. You will reap what you say/sow pal! Wait and see. GO VOLS!
voloffaith writes:
Do the words "pride comes before the fall" not resonate with you? You ,sadly, come on VOL site and prance and dance about the crimson tide with no humility. I used to respect bama in old days with 'the bear' because they would beat you and leave you. No ragging,taunting or other childish displays. They left you to think about it and that was enough. Today's fans ,many of them, have same problem regardless of school afiliation. Berate the other teams fans and childishly taunt them for what? I can beat you at third grade diatribes.
So ,on topic, welcome back Andre! We will utilize you in ways that enhance the players for off the field lives. Parents will appreciate the VOLS commitment to building character and not characters.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
I completely agree with you about the 4- and 5-star players. Plus, I don’t think many people realize this because we’re not seeing many headlines of verbal commitments in the papers these days, but if you go to ESPN and check out ESPN top 150, you will see that UT is a school of interest for several highly rated players. It’s evident that DD and Co. are going after these kids, but I’m sure they will want to see what the product looks like on the field before they make any concrete decisions. Be patient people! I think come Fall we will start seeing more recruits coming in. And with his commitment to character development, parents will have some serious wood over this hire and the direction of the program! :)
mrvol2u writes:
DoctorVol50 you stated you needed to see 5* talent before you could feel warm and fuzzy.
5* recruits are great and I would like to see us get our share but remember they do not always pan out.
Maybe Lott can keep their heads from getting in the way of their talent and the 5* rating will translate onto the field.
I have seen many a 5* talent that couldn't lace the shoes of many a 2* recruits shoes. I don't worry about stars I worry about W's on the field. We will get that answer in 2 to 3 years.
GO VOLS!!!
Mobbdeep4life writes:
It's good to see former players return to serve on the staff especially one who was well respected. I met his grandfather some years back and we both had on UT apparel. He was so proud of his grandson and UT football of course.
This sounds like an excellent idea and he is still young enough to relate to these players. Hurry up September 4th!!!
mrvol2u writes:
Right, great post from a supporter of a program with a long history of sterling character. A program so close to the Death Penalty that they were holding candle-light prayers outside of the stadium.
A program that gives new meaning to Books-A -Million!
In the Memphis Fed-Ex terminal they are on the look out for drug money and Bama booster money to players and coaches.
Mobbdeep4life writes:
In this position will Andre have the same type of access to the players that the S&C coach does? During the summer coaches can't really interact with the players except away from the practice field. Hopefully this position allows him to interact with players all year long especially during the summer (which is when most players get into trouble).
tn_rockytop writes:
that would be Dooley
VolunteerLifer writes:
Amen, brother.
The Witch Doctor shouldn't worry that he didn't get this job. There will be more jobs coming on line soon. I think Witchie should apply as head of 2010 census. He could roll his bones and settle all demographic arguments, saving us a bundle. Or maybe he will fill an opening for one of Obama's czars - no character references needed there! Or, since the Witch Doctor is always stimulated, he could run the stimulus spending!!
givehim6 writes:
Yes he's making the sparkle back in are eyes. Now CDD needs to make a motivation coach position and hire Al Wilson to fill the position, he can light a few fires!
VolunteerLifer writes:
Lighten up, Rich, its just a joke.
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