John Adams: Coaching consistency will pay off for Vols

Photo by Adam Brimer

Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley watches a replay on the Jumbotron during the Orange and White game at Neyland Stadium Saturday, April 16, 2011.

One season isn't long enough to judge a football coach.

But if you're already determined to characterize the Derek Dooley era at Tennessee, I recommend you start at the top.

Start with his hair.

It's as consistent as artificial turf. It doesn't grow or fall out.

The weather changes. The score changes. The hair doesn't.

You might regard this as nothing more than good grooming. I prefer to go deeper.

I see the hair as a symbol. It's solid and consistent.

And it's not fazed by success or failure. For example, Dooley's hair didn't look any different in Oregon's 35-point, second-half onslaught than it did in a 52-14 victory over Ole Miss.

The message from Hair Dooley couldn't be clearer: Be consistent and stick with the plan.

You think I'm reaching? If you believe that players take on the personality of their coach, is it that far-fetched to conclude they also could take on the personality of their coach's hair?

If so, UT fans should be encouraged by Dooley's 2011 hairstyle. It's an exact replica of the 2010 model.

Again, it sends a message: "Despite a losing season, we believe in our plan."

No players in the country should be more receptive to sameness than UT's upperclassmen. The seniors on the team have had three coaches — Dooley, Lane Kiffin and Phillip Fulmer. They should crave consistency.

The last third of the 2010 season was the best indicator they had embraced Dooley's grand plan. Otherwise, they couldn't have salvaged a 6-6 regular season from a 2-6 start.

Sure, the schedule lightened up considerably in the last month. But all the baggage from one of the worst starts in school history was significantly heavier.

The weight must have been almost crushing in the third quarter at Columbia, S.C., when the Gamecocks took a 24-10 lead.

What happened next portended the winning streak to come.

UT rallied behind freshman quarterback Tyler Bray to tie the game before losing 38-24.

The emergence of young players coupled with an upbeat November gave UT fans reason to be optimistic about the Dooley era. But the upcoming schedule reminds them to keep that optimism in check.

Dropping North Carolina for Buffalo softened the non-conference schedule, but there's nothing to be done about the schedule outside the SEC East. The Vols play the three best teams in the West — Alabama, Arkansas and LSU — all of whom have a top-10 look to them.

Divisional play isn't as daunting. Their toughest SEC East games will be at home, against division favorite South Carolina and Georgia. Florida has replaced two-time national championship coach Urban Meyer with a first-year head coach, Will Muschamp, and there's no Tim Tebow or Percy Harvin on the depth chart.

The Gators' drop-off is illustrated by a Tennessee-Florida comparison. The Vols might be better in every offensive area — quarterback, running back, receivers and line. When was the last time you could say that?

The Vols return their starting offensive line; 1,000-yard rusher Tauren Poole; two quarterbacks with starting experience, including Bray, whose passing fostered so much optimism in November; and athletic sophomore receivers Justin Hunter, who had seven touchdown catches last year, and Da'Rick Rogers.

UT isn't nearly as well stocked on defense. In a best-case scenario, freshmen will do as much for the defense as they did for the offense last year.

Run defense will be especially important. If you are vulnerable in that area, what hope do you have against Alabama (Trent Richardson), South Carolina (Marcus Lattimore) and LSU (Spencer Ware)?

Prediction: The Vols will beat Florida for the first time in seven years, finish 7-5 and play in the Gator Bowl.

And Dooley's hair won't look any different in January than it does in August.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com. Follow him at http://twitter.com/johnadamskns.