In the world we live in, the cell phone is an apt barometer of our approval rating.
Do something good and the calls, texts and messages blow up. Everybody wants to congratulate a hero.
Derek Dooley on Monday revealed his cell phone status after his Vols got pounded at Georgia.
“No missed calls. No texts. No voice messages,’’ Dooley said. “That’s when you go, ‘God, we must have been bad.’
“That’s what my phone looked like after Georgia — not even from my parents.’’
Tennessee was bad from the get-go in a 41-14 beating on Saturday. It was, start to finish, the worst showing of Dooley’s first season.
Which made it interesting timing for Dooley to be scheduled to address the Knoxville Quarterback Club on Monday.
Actually, the timing couldn’t have been better.
Dooley said as a rule he avoids speaking engagements during the season. But if ever the Tennessee fan base needed an encouraging word from the head coach, this might be the time.
There is a poll this week on our website, govolsxtra.com. Only 24 percent of respondents believe the Vols can finish 6-6 and get to a bowl game, even a low-level bowl game that UT would have looked askance at a decade ago.
“It’s a tough time,’’ Dooley told the crowd. “I know it’s a tough time for all of you guys.
“Because this is uncharted waters for the University of Tennessee. It’s very difficult to be sitting there going ‘We’re two-and-four, and we’re oh-and-three (SEC) and we’ve got to feel good.’
“I know it is. I can tell you I’m hurting.’’
Dooley was typically frank about the state of the program and the fact that no quick fix is imminent:
“All the concerns we had coming into the season about our youth, our inexperience, our depth issue ... have become realities.’’
He mixed in timely humor to help wash down the truth serum. For example, the botched center snap at Georgia:
“After LSU I thought I’d seen it all — until this week. Every week I get another ‘never seen that before.’
“We laugh about it now but it wasn’t very funny.’’
The Quarterback Club laughed often with Dooley. It isn’t, after all, the toughest audience. This is a group that prides itself on hanging in through thick and thin.
That said, UT football is definitely in the thin category.
Sitting 2-4 is not as thin as 0-6 in October of 1988, but the hurdles to get back to thick are more troublesome now. There isn’t a Carl Pickens or a Chuck Webb redshirting on this team.
Athletic director Mike Hamilton was in the audience, too. He has asked UT’s fans to be patient from the day he hired Dooley in January as the Vols’ third head coach in as many years.
Being patient in May is easier than in October after you just got your lights turned out by a rival.
“Everybody knows we’re in a tough stretch of games,’’ Hamilton said. “It’s going to be hard.
“I think there’s a certain amount of realism about where we are. But the more I’m around that guy, the more I’m a believer.’’
The tough stretch gets tougher when UT returns from an open date to face Alabama. Dooley isn’t promising an upset, only a better effort than at Georgia.
“There’s nothing more important to me to give back to the fan base,’’ Dooley said, “than our team going out there and laying it on the line for four quarters.
“The UT fans have been phenomenal. It’s tough. This is not what UT football is used to and it’s not what the fans are used to and I understand that.’’
He left his audience with a bottom line to shoot for, a bottom line they are used to.
“We’re gonna get our program to where we’re gonna be sitting here feeling pretty good about us,’’ he said. “I can assure you.’’
If he can do that, his cell phone will tell a different story.
Mike Strange may be reached at strangem@knoxnews.com or 865-342-6276.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 102
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
On light note...Don't worry,Coach..Mine is NEVER busy, but that's alright because I'm not a huge "phone" person anyway.
ekvolunteer writes:
"Only 24 percent of respondents believe the Vols can finish 6-6 and get to a bowl game"
It's my understanding that we would have to get to 7 wins to go bowling since the UT-Martin game doesn't count. Or has the NCAA removed the FCS restriction? Anyone here know?
Tru138 writes:
Give me you number coach and I'll call you when noone else will and tell you I support you and have your back.
Tru138 writes:
"you" should be "your." Sorry.
thereturnoftriumph writes:
good attitude vol fan. cdd needs more like you
SEC1 writes:
Sad when vols are counting on a win from ut.martin to become bowl eligbile. not being mean but this is rock bottom, running from unc,getting steam-rolled by a ga team that was hanging on by a thread, just don't lose to vandy or kentucky or tn football will officially be tanked.
TennVolAlum writes:
it's obvious these players have given up on Dooley and Co. Moreover, I've heard it from inside UT media that 90% of the players are unhappy with the coach, and don't want to play for him. Sorry for Dooley, he seemed like a nice fellow. Too bad he wasn't ready for the HC job at a big time program.
orangezone writes:
I believe you can count one win against an FCS opponent but not two.
bigorangetrain writes:
We don't need you to point out our problems we know what they are. Go get on our own teams site and rub around on each other and make yourself feel good and leave UT fans alone.
TennVolAlum writes:
The fact of the matter is, Hammy went with the "ultra-safe" bet in hiring Dooley, knowing he wouldn't bolt after a good year. However, that decision is turning around to bit Hammy in the arse, much like the Pearl decision is now...but who could have seen that coming? This "safe" decision on Dooley will ultimatley cost Hammy his job, and it will be quite a few years until Tenn gets a new AD in place, and makes some (hopefully) good decisions in the coaching of football, basketball, and baseball.
1bigvolman writes:
I believe you can count one win against an FCS opponent but not two.
You are correct.
bmh7896 writes:
Dude you don't have any inside information and you don't know zhit about what the players think. Just make sure you're on time to pick up my trash from the curb tomorrow fool.
onevol writes:
“I think there’s a certain amount of realism about where we are. But the more I’m around that guy, the more I’m a believer.’’
I must say that I am a little leery of people Hammy believes in. The first guy he believed in is starring down the barrel of the NCAA, and the second guy he believed in raped the program 10 months ago and left us for dead in the middle of the night.
Now he has a guy that consistently does not know how to count to 11. Go figure.
newtonrail writes:
I made a promise to myself to quit reading most of these responses, and respond to none. Yours is so out of bounds I can't help myself. Get a life.
brauhuff#295403 writes:
He is the coach and a nice guy so let"s give him 3-4 years to build. If the players there now do not want to play for him then don't let the door hit you in the a** on the way out the door. Hamilton needs to go as he is not ready to manage a program the size of Tennessee. It would be worse to start over than to give Dooley a chance which he deserves. Fulmer left the cupboard more bare than I thought but it was made much worse by Kiffin for telling players that Fulmer recruited they would not fit in his system. They would have fit into Dooley system and we would not be in as bad of a mess.
halloffamebowler writes:
It want matter.It takes 6 wins to reach a bowl game.We will fall a couple of games short anyway.
TennVolAlum writes:
Sadly, I do know folks inside the program. Sorry you don't, and sorry you can't face facts.
TennVolAlum writes:
It's not out of bounds, it's the truth. I'm sorry that you don't like it. But, the least you could do is say "thank you" for giving you inside info. I guess you're too good for that. Go be a jerk to someone else, I was simply relaying valid information.
VolFanScott writes:
Fickle Fans.....The worst thing this team could have done was show a little promise during previous games. This season was a bust from the being, we all knew it, we have nothing but young freshman on the team. What part of "we will be rebuilding this team over the next 3-5 years" didn't you guys understand. I had posted before the season started that we should be glad to win 4-5 games. I don't understand the problem. Oregon, Florida, LSU are all top ranked teams. Georgia is a much better team than they had been playing and should be 4 and 1 instead of 1 and 4.
VOLinAthensGA writes:
I sang Rocky Top to a response of Jeers in the Staff/Faculty section of Georgia when there was nothing to cheer about. I got your back Coach.
flatrock writes:
You are an idiot.
I'm betting that Nick Saban wasn't real popular
with the Tide leftovers the week after UL-Monroe
stuck it to them.
Vols will be okay. Not so sure about you.
flatrock writes:
You are an idiot.
How many interviews have you had lately to take
over an SEC program?
TennVolAlum writes:
sorry you have to resort to insults b/c you can't take the truth. i feel sorry for those around you.
foster5652#360197 writes:
And here we go....90% of the players are unahppy with the coach. Inside UT media? Yes, let's toss the coach quickly. Who shall we replace him with? Wait, I think I'll give him his time. Looking for instant results is a recipe for failure. We have some young, eager coaches who actually seem to have some principles. I'm willing and interedsted to see where they take this program.
TennVolAlum writes:
like i said to flatrock, sorry you can't handle the truth, and have to resort to insults b/c you simply don't like what i have to say. did i spout off here insulting you?--no, I simply relayed information. and for that, you call me an idiot? like flatrock, i feel sorry for those around you.
TennVolAlum writes:
I'm sure you are doing awesome in life. dont' respond to me anymore.
TennVolAlum writes:
I'm sure you, like flatrock, are doing awesome in life. so you don't have to respond to me anymore either.
howdydude writes:
90%? Really? Inside UT media? Really? Was there a team vote? Was there some kind of poll? A census perhaps? Who asked the questions? Was it you? Was it some super clever and powerful reporter with unbelievable access to the entire team so that he/she could ask every player if they still like Dooley and want to play for him? Wow! I've never heard of the "media" being able to get that kind of inside information. Who tabulated all the votes? Was it this same super reporter? 90%? Really? Admit it, you made this up didn't you? You completely pulled this number out of thin air. You might as well have said that you have inside information that 90% of the team wears pink underwear. You don't have any inside information and you certainly don't know anything about what is going on inside the players' hearts and minds.
12Hours writes:
You've heard from"inside UT media"????
Well I've heard, straight from the mouth of Teague's parents, that he and the rest of the team, absolutely LOVE Coach Dooley!
So, that's my named source, and that beats the heck out of your "UT media"
Stop making up stuff. You're making a total fool of yourself.
volfaninohio writes:
Sorry TennVolAlum but I don't think you are correct at all. CDD may be in over his head. Who knows he doesn't have a team.
As far as the players I haven't seen anything that shows anything but support for their coach.
loyalvol_alltheway writes:
It is troubling to hear people already giving up on Dooley. We know very little about the kind of coach he is going to be after 6 games, given the situation he walked into.
Do you realize....
1. how many players have left the program since Fulmer was fired and Kiffin skipped town?
2. how many of Kiffin's star recruits are either (a) not on the team any more for disciplinary reasons, or (b) haven't lived up to the hype Kiffin created for them?
3. what it's like to have 72 (or there abouts) scholarship players on a team that plays in the SEC?
4. have to spend your entire spring practice figuring out what you have as far as talent is concerned?
5. how many players in this past signing class failed to qualify (and this is not Dooley's fault - he had 3 weeks to close a class)? players that were expected to make an impact where we need an impact made (DT John Brown, DBs Edrick Loften and Dave Clark)?
6. what it's like to lose 2 projected starters on your defensive line (Marlon Walls and Ben Martin) in the FIRST day of Fall camp - leaving you with a former WR and a guy who hadn't played a down of football since his junior year in High School?
7. to have a starting QB and a back-up QB who have never played a snap in the SEC before this year?
The "down on Dooley" theme is absolutely ridiculous. What we know is that the man is fiercely competitive, honest in his evaluation of our performance, dedicated to this program, and has the unqualified approval of one of the greatest coaches in college football today (Nick Saban).
Maybe Dooley will turn out to be a bust. But freaking Bill Belichek would have his hands full with all the problems Dooley has inherited in this program.
I'm going to support him for at least 2 years before making an evaluation on the job he has done. If you understand football and the complexities of turning a program around, you should do the same.
I'm not happy with this year - by any stretch of the imaginatoin. But it is what it is, and it's time we recognize the reality of our situation.
Seven freshmen playing in a single series on offense against Georgia is both a good indication of the future of our program AS WELL AS a sad commentary on the current state of Tennessee football.
Go Vols!
boogimn3 writes:
I like it........
Call him Nappy...It suits him better
WinkeyVol writes:
I'm crazy about Derek Dooley. He knows just the right things to say.He's good for football. He reminds me of the guy that built my house a few years back. Everytime we had a problem he would put his arm around my shoulder,tell me some funny jokes,and tell me what a good house I was getting for the money. The guy made me feel like a million bucks.I'm still crazy about the guy. Funny though, my shower leaks,the floors squeak,two outlets are dead,and one light switch is in the wrong room.
Sand_Eater_6 writes:
Outstanding post. Poignant, articulate and spot on! I was born in TN, grew up in TN, and am now overseas but have followed UT football religiously; Tennessee fans got spoiled by UT's run of success, myself included. It's good to see that some people still understand that the college game today has changed. It's not the SEC of the '90's. I hope that we, as a fan-base, have enough patience to give our HC a chance to realize his vision. I can only hope that Saban's opinion of Dooley is justified and that the Big Orange gets back to national prominence in the next few years. GBO!!
WinkeyVol writes:
But know what? The guy will get it right or he will die tryin. He'e just that kinda guy. Gotta love 'im
al2476 writes:
Mike Hamilton needs to stay at home and not show his face around the Big Orange faithful. He has screwed the Tn. fans enough to last for centurys.
TennExile writes:
It's obvious, then, that somebody needs to shove their foot up these players rear-ends and give them the wake up call they so richly deserve. When you lose to a Georgia and almost let AUB beat you at home, you lose the right to say who the coach is. If they have decided they don't want to play for Dooley, someone should point out that they aren't really playing anyway.
OTPVol writes:
I support CDD, his staff, and our team. I will be a Vol until I die, win or lose. We have upper classmen who have been put through the ringer during their tenure. We have freshmen who are inexperienced but growing fast. We have a couple on staff who seem averse to the number "11", but I'm sure that will be corrected too. Everyone may not have agreed with the hire, they may not like CDD, they may not like Mike Hamilton, but big orange family, this is our coach, this is our team, they deserve nothing less than our undying support. I had rather be where we're at now (going through growing pains) than to be sitting in the bleachers watching the Bozo show on the sidelines like we had last year. This year there appears to be character and values being instilled whereas last year it was win, recruit, at any and all costs, the future be dam ned. I will support CDD as long as he is our coach, which I hope is a long time. I will support the next coach and the one after that. I love college football and I am so proud to be a Tennessee Vol. GBO!!!!!!!
CCLC writes:
He’s doing fine. He’s on pace to win about as many games as he did last year at LaTech, before his daddy’s name….er, his coaching brilliance…got him the UT gig.
paradisetaxi writes:
Lane is no Monty, I just hope its not the same with Derek and Vince
howdydude writes:
You obviously know very little about sports, coaching or teaching. Do you honestly believe that there is some other coach out there that could have beaten Oregon, Florida, UGA and LSU with the youth and inexperience this team has? Who is this coach? What winning program is he running with equal or less talent than UT? Give me an example of a coach that has ever had a winning record in the SEC when 1/2 of the traveling team was making their first road trip ever? What coach in any major conference has ever won big games when 50% of the offensive line is playing in their first year with a brand new quarterback? What new coach has ever had a winning season when he is the team's 3rd coach in 4 years? Who is this miracle worker? How much money would he be worth? Face it. The coach you and many others are dreaming about does not exist - anywhere. We have a coach that is trying to build something. He is trying to instill character and pride. He is working with very young players. He is trying to teach discipline. Building a program and a team takes time. It is not going to happen in one game or one season or even two seasons, not when the roster is so thin. Being a good coach has nothing to do with the "other" program that you came from, it has to do with your ability to teach, encourage, instruct, motivate, lead and challenge your players and I sincerely believe that Dooley is more than capable of doing that. Give him time.
hufstedler02 writes:
You can count an FCS team every other year. So if you play an FCS team 2 years in a row the 2nd year won't count toward bowl eligibility.
hufstedler02 writes:
lol that is funny. I do hope it is a joke though. Hard as it is to believe, but Memphis is an FBS team
BJ writes:
To TENNVOLALUM : Researched you have been found out your a troll and you definitely do not know what you are talking about. I am the source and your so far off base you need a GPS to find your way home
lomas98 writes:
Good post. You also forgot one of the worst recruiting classes in UT history in 2008, Fulmers last year. I think the best players in that class are no longer on the team and there wasn't very many highly rated players. It is all about players and while I think we are not that far away with some of our players compared to other SEC programs, we do lack the consistency. The margin of error for this team is so slim to win a game. Case in point we play almost a perfect game against LSU and still lose. When was the last time a team caused 4 to's while not losing any and still lost? GA turned our TO's into points on Saturday and we couldn't capitalize on our to chances. If we can get through a game without to's or stupid penalties we will be there in the 4th quarter. If not, most games will end like last Saturday. Our defense is not good enough to overcome bad field position.
Ayres_Hall writes:
Nope. Its YOU who is unhappy, given up, and quit. You seek out the negative and you thrive on it. You're no alumni. You're a loser and a poor loser at that.
The overwhelming majority of UT football supporters are behind the program and Coach Dooley. We expected this rough year. We understand where the program is today and it will take get back to Championships. We are patient.
It's the everyday fan, like you, who is able to jump-off the bandwagon at anytime. Go now please go jump and take your backwards ballcap and car flags with you.
OTPVol writes:
That's like saying gonorrhea isn't the same as syphilis, Bozo isn't as good as Emmet Kelley, Obama's not like Bush. Sometimes the opposite of "bad" isn't "better", it can be "even worse". Bit I think, hope, pray we have a winner in CDD.
jcp201 writes:
What a great post. We can't change the past, we must look to the future and I think we'll be fine--maybe even next year with some good recruiting.
VOLliven2it writes:
TennAlum, either shut up with your inside info. or tell us who you know. Then we will know if we can believe it. I know some inside people up there too. Wooooh, give us names and titles, not some shower scouring deadbeat who "hears and knows" all.
As for bowl possibilities this year, come on man! Maybe we make one, maybe we don't. Why do we go on and on about what we wanted this year to be when we just do not have the players to make that happen? As for Hammy asking for patience regarding Coach Dooley, he may be asking the same thing soon enough for himself. ALum-dude, let us know from your "insider" how do the players feel about the AD? You know so much, how does the wino on the street uptown feel about Coach Dooley? An insider should know. I want to know who the insider is. You have connections. Stop perpetuating accelerated negativity unless you have the guts to tell us who it is!
VOLliven2it writes:
I was referring to TennVolAlum in my last posting in case the inside information on that was lost!
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