Event Details
- What: Tennessee vs. UT-Martin
- When: Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, 6 p.m.
- Where: Neyland Stadium
- Cost: $40
- Age limit: All ages
Tennessee Stat Book
The recruiting class was salvaged and signed.
The first spring practice is in the books, as well as training camp in August.
Derek Dooley has even responded to a significant off-the-field issue already.
All that's left is to show what he can do when it really counts, which the new Tennessee coach will do when he makes his debut with the Vols today at home against UT Martin (TV: VideoSeat Pay-Per-View; 6 p.m.). And even the players who have been around Dooley since he was hired in January are curious to see exactly how the third UT coach in three years will run the sideline at Neyland Stadium.
"Most definitely, because coach Dooley plays with a lot of energy, and you know he wants things done the right way," cornerback Eric Gordon said. "From the smallest of things to putting on the same color socks and stuff like that.
"I'm just excited to see what it's going to be like with him in a game situation."
Based on his approach during practices, intensity is a given with Dooley and he figures to be the most animated of the three guys to run the program over the last three seasons.
That turnover at the top has left the Vols short on experience and numbers thanks to roster attrition, which has turned the date with the Skyhawks this evening into the opening act for more than just Dooley.
UT is breaking in a new quarterback and a running back behind a completely different offensive line. It's converted a handful of ends into at least part-time defensive tackles and moved a pair of wide receivers over to the defensive secondary. And all told, the Vols have 15 freshmen listed on their two-deep - leaving Dooley with plenty more to worry about than how his coaching style might be perceived.
"I don't just sit back and watch the game," Dooley said. "I feel like I'm very engaged, I'm engaged with the players, engaged with the calls and I'm engaged in the management of the game. I feel like that's my responsibility. I'm not one of those sit-back-and-watch-it guys. I don't just stand there and focus on one phase. I'm engaged in all three phases and trying to figure out how we can best help the players go out there and win.
"I'll have anxiety, and I hope I have it if I'm coaching 20 years from now. I think it's healthy to be a little nervous and be a little on edge, because your mind is working."
It's hardly had a chance to slow down with Dooley dealing with everything from the drawn-out drama with former No. 1 recruit Bryce Brown's decision to transfer to handing out punishments for the summer brawl involving players at Bar Knoxville.
Things didn't even get easier once the players officially reported, with projected starters Ben Martin and Marlon Walls going down with likely season-ending injuries in the first four days of training camp and then more frustration popped up when heralded freshman Justin Hunter's eligibility was called into question by the NCAA.
Through all that, Dooley has already revealed how he'll handle most every part of his new job. Now he'll get to work on the most important aspect of it.
"Definitely you look forward to experiencing those types of situations with him, and he's going to be doing the same kind of thing with us - seeing how we adjust to certain game situations and how I deal with certain things and how the other young freshmen and first-year starters deal with stuff," quarterback Matt Simms said. "So, there's going to be a learning going on these first few plays of the game.
"It's tough to say (how he'll act), because you can't really expect anything from Coach Dooley because he'll come out and shock you every now and then. The good thing is that he's been working extremely hard with us in the offseason and I feel really confident about going on the field with him."
Once they get out there, the Vols and Dooley can finally start answering some questions about themselves.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 40
TommyJack writes:
Give it up for CDD.
DownTheField writes:
Go Big Orange!
martintnvol writes:
This is all you can come up with on opening eve night. Well at least it about tn.
mtowntim writes:
Mixing my koolaid right now!
GO VOLS!!!
Psychovol writes:
You drive for show and putt for dough; the proof is in the pudding, etc. I could on but you get the picture. DD gets a winning report card so far but the games played on the field.
VolinCalif writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
RoadTrip writes:
C'mon CDD. Give the Vol nation something really good to talk about this season. Teach the team how to win and lose with class. Show them they can be quality people and students, while still winning many football games. Give all of us hope for the future and the nation will have your back.
GBO!
richvol writes:
Engaged...that's a word I really like about Dooley's style of coaching. He is engaged in everything going on,all the time. Perfecting performance is in the details and we have the right man for that.
ClassicVol writes:
I can't help but like Coach.
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Hopefully, we can put off the whole "losing with class" lesson thingy for a month or so.
10ECMATT writes:
Very true. Looks like old clips on youtube for me.
mtowntim writes:
VolinCalif, I would consider that painting a lot of people with a broad brush. Live and let live is what I say.
Back on subject, I like everything about Dooley and his staff so far. It will be refreshing to have a intense and animated coach on the sideline instead of a dead fish. Dooley will put some fire back into our team i.m.o.
Now,in order to achieve maximal effect for tomorrow, I'm going to start a slow drip of my koolaide tonight here in Morristown.
GO VOLS!!!
VolinCalif writes:
You are correct UTB. But there is a bad burn inside me because my generation kept their mouth shut too long. But after this message I'll stay on the subject.
tnsportsman writes:
Well VolNation we are here and ITS FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE! CDD, Staff and TEAM will be just fine and WIN some games! From video I have watched of CDD, he will be in the grill of players, staff and officials! That is certainly a welcome change IMO!
This TEAM will surprise a lot of people this year, at least 8 wins, BOOK IT!
LETS GO BIG ORANGE, GET IT UP!
GO VOLS, WE ARE UT!
mercyseat writes:
having such a young team, I pray we play with fierceness,confidence and discipline.penalties and turnovers can be devastating (ainge crompton,foster,
lincoln).We would have won more from the last 3 seasons if we'd had confident quarterback.this goes to show you that booing and public criticising your OWN team can do.We need to support them,whether we win or lose. So, PLEASE vol fans cheer them on,and you'll see them winning more games!
VolWoman writes:
Me too! I want him to succeed so badly. I read on a message board from someone who knows some players that they love him enough to run through a wall for him. They respect him a lot and that says a bunch to me.
lail#204076 (staff) writes:
It was definitely off topic and had no place here on a sports site. It's been removed.
-- jack lail
mercyseat writes:
And another thing...,we were not even in a poll I read about having the loudest and intimidating stadium,but oregon was with only 70,000 seats along with Southern Cal at 92,000.WE SHOULD BE ASHAMED!
oskie_score writes:
It will be nice having an HC who's animated and ENGAGED while on the sidelines as opposed to...
Hear-hear, Coach Dooley! Good luck!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Coaches game management;situational playing calling;game interaction between coaches;sideline signals and substitutions can't be taken lightly with a new staff and young players..Too many silly mistakes leads to losing games and blown coverages for any reason ends up in easy TD's.Watching the gamecocks last night; I recall a series that had 4 or 5 penalty's in a 2 minute stretch..Tomorrow we take our first step..GO BIG ORANGE
tapeworm writes:
Spurrier is, and always has been, well - animated. Has that helped at SC? I guess a head coach being animated is great for the TV broadcasts, but I wonder what positive effect it has on performance. I've never noticed Nick Saban being too animated. Nobody was complaining about Fulmer not being animated when his team won a NC, but yet, when they faltered, Fulmer's lack of animation was criticized. I'm guessing Fulmer could have been as animated a Spurrier, but if his team wasn't winning, then he would have been TOO animated. Bottom line: animation is overrated.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
I think there's only one person out there more nervous than Dooley tomorrow - Hamilton! :)
GO VOLS!
whistlinwingman writes:
He shouldn't be! Dooley inherited a bucket of chicken poop and he's making it into chicken salad. Not many have given the Vols a chance this year. Regardless of this year, I think the true judgement comes in three years. However, I think we come away at least 6-6 which has to be a positive considering what all the "experts" are saying.
OrangePsyched writes:
Did someone say Saban doesn't get animated. You haven't been paying attention. I've seen him plenty of times get in players and Asst. coaches faces. Ask the Bama fans. I hope we come out like our hair's on fire tomorrow. It's been a lone summer...time to break out a can of Whoop A**...can you feel me? ROCKY TOP!
VOLS_and_REDSOX_4ever writes:
Go Vols!
I'm ready to see what Dooley brings to the table!
Better than what he who shall not be named ever could!! LET'S GO BOYS
slipshuck writes:
i think the vols,for the first time since 1969,have a coach...
IBleedOrange444 writes:
Nice article. I can't wait for the game. Go Vols!!
VOL1SG writes:
Can not wait to see my VOLS this year. Unfortunately, I am in the northwest and my car is the only one sporting flags for a university. (I live in seattle, PATSY 10 fans stink) I have received honks and some GO VOLS on the road and parking lots. Any recruits out there read this, the VOL NATION spans this nation. Here's to a great season. Oh yeah, can't make my own Kool-aid because the critters ate the corn in the garden, know waht I mean!
GO VOLS!!!!!!!
BeVOLy writes:
I'm out of the country for the opener, but my dad and son are going and calling me with the scores! Go Vols! My heart will be in Tennessee on Saturday.
FWBVol writes:
A coach has to be who he or she is. Pat Summitt is a very animated coach as is Bruce Pearl and they have been very successful. I know it's basketball, but there are plenty of good football coaches that are animated and others that are stoic.
Spurrier was successful as an animated coach at Florida. Urban is a pretty animated coach and does a good job. Vince Lombardi was one of the most animated coaches that ever lived...and one of the most successful, while Tom Landry was so stoic they could have put him on Mount Rushmore.
I think at a college level that the kids might feed off and emotional coach and that doesn't hurt since football is an emotional sport.
DannyVol writes:
Ward is usually pretty good, but I agree with you, martintn; this doesn't seem like an opening eve article. I had to go out of town this weekend to Fayetteville, Arkansas -- their newspapers are both full of articles that would make me excited if I was a Razorback fan. Must be nice.
GOBIGO72 writes:
Time to throw the bones, see what they say...
because - ITS FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEEE!!!!!!!!!
Best 5 words ever spoken.
mtowntim writes:
Agree 100%.... GO VOLS!!!
bigtimevol writes:
Dooley's character, organization and enthusiasm, along w/ UT traditions, the new stadium and facilities will have us on the right path in no time...if he can coach. We'll see very soon...GO VOLS...I'm fired up!
Take_Back_Knoxville writes:
You are SOOO right. Oddly enough, we should 1st make sure to go to the games instead of watching on TV and then we should all learn to master the Fulmer clap.
Mule_Days_King writes:
Stepped out of my house at 5am. That "football chill" was in the air. You all know that feeling. It felt like FOOTBALL SEASON!!!
My coffee tasted a little better and knowing that I had to work until 30 minutes before kickoff didn't seem to matter. I get to spend the evening with my family and great friends watching the greatest college football tradition in America.
No matter where you are or what you are doing:
IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!
GainesvilleVol1 writes:
I was at that game, we were leading 15 to zip before HW came on the field. The rest is history.
As for today, let's play smart, get some reps, and finish a winner with no injurys with Duck season opening up next week!!
GO VOLS!!!
TommyJack writes:
Time for stability. Back CDD. That is all.
RandRams writes:
Proofs in the puddin'.
Good luck VOLS!
dalvol writes:
Naffy, even if the Vols win no games, yours is an idiotic post. Dooley will be around long enough to have an opportunity to turn things around. Another coaching change right now would lead to at least a decade of mediocre football, or worse. What kid in his right mind would sign to play for the Vols if the coaching carousel continues.
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