Derek Dooley might have to repeat himself this Saturday in Lexington when Tennessee goes for its 27th consecutive victory against Kentucky. If so, he probably would prefer that his comments don't go beyond the locker room.
Someone captured UT's postgame locker room celebration Saturday on video, then made it available to anyone with a computer. UT's second-year coach was the star attraction. He was the one being hoisted toward the ceiling by the Vols after a 27-21 overtime victory against Vanderbilt in Neyland Stadium.
"One thing Tennessee always does," he told his team. "We kick the (bleep) out of Vanderbilt."
"I'm a little disappointed that a video is out on our locker room celebra
tion, but that's kind of the world we live in," he said at Monday's media luncheon. "It's like there's no sacred place.
"I think all 120 (FBS) coaches out there have a side to them where they loosen up with the team, where they don't do in public. Am I excited after a win? I always am. It's emotional. And certainly when you win a close game down to the wire, it's exciting.
"You take those things for what they are. It's postgame, emotional, have a little fun."
More might come of it, though.
When Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy delivered his "I'm 40; I'm a man" speech to the media, it was a spontaneous rant on behalf of a player. And it was hilarious.
But recruits and their parents probably saw beyond the humor. They saw a coach passionately sticking up for a player, or — in the parents' eyes — standing up for a young man who could have been their son.
Gundy came across as a coach for whom you would want to play, or for whom your parents would want you to play.
Video of UT's postgame celebration might leave recruits and parents with the same impression. Dooley seemed as happy as Gundy was angry. The choice of emotion isn't as significant as the spontaneity of it.
Tennessee locker room after Vandy game
Dooley is far more candid than most coaches. But even a candid coach often has to play to the camera and be wary of the media. In the video, he's caught up in the moment, immersed with his team and having as much fun as the players who sang "We don't give a damn about the whole school of Vanderbilt."
That's a side of Dooley worth seeing if you are a college prospect.
Dooley can be funny, sarcastic and brutally honest. That combination of traits won't always lend itself to pleasant player-coach relationships.
"If you stink, I'm not going to sugarcoat it," Dooley always says.
Unlike some coaches, he doesn't conceal those assessments from the media. When I asked defensive tackle Malik Jackson if such public criticism was bothersome, his smile told me more than his comments.
Still smiling, he added, "It might bother some players, because he does it in the media. But he does what he wants. He's Coach Dooley, and we respect that. It's his team and he's going to run it a certain way."
It helps that Dooley spares no one, including himself. While some coaches might take responsibility in a general sense for whatever goes wrong, he points out specific things he should have done differently.
"It shows the team that he's not just pointing fingers," Jackson said. "He looks in the mirror. It's good to see when a coach points a finger at himself, not just the team."
Lifted off the floor by his players, the coach only pointed his finger at the "T" in the ceiling of the locker room Saturday night. He wasn't a coach or critic then. He was just one of the guys rejoicing in a come-from-behind victory.
History tells us there could be an encore. Tennessee always kicks the bleep out of Kentucky.
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.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 53
VolunteerLifer writes:
Funny how you didn't think UT always kicks the (bleep) out of Vandy. You predicted Vandy would win by 10, Adams. But now you're on the bandwagon.
imw8n4u writes:
anyone have a link to the video?
imw8n4u writes:
Nevermind:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV3t56...
veinsoforange writes:
10-4
JA is such a weasel. The article has a nice twist and punch line, had it came from anyone with a heart and/or "Orange" blood!
Please leave K-town JA.
keepitreal4vols writes:
John Adams AKA the copy and paste journalist.
TommyJack writes:
Who are you and what have you done with Adams?
EHSvols23 writes:
Anyone dumb enough to think this celebration was only about beating Vandy is an idiot. I would guess if UT had won by 30, you would have not seen that. It was the manner in which they won that made all those players rejoice. They had been through two years of hell. It felt like a weight had been lifted.
fearthehound writes:
So this video is what has Franklin crying? Looks like a typical post-game celebration to me. I'm sure Vandy would have done the same if they had won.
fearthehound writes:
What's all this 'our' and 'us', troll?
flatrock writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
rusty_shackleford writes:
I'm sure the singing happens after every win. Especially when it is a come-from-behind victory against a team that is bloated with self importance like vanderbilt.
the_dooley_eVOLution writes:
Concur.
And let's bring it at Kentucky!
underthehill writes:
Not the image I think Dooley wants to project..Martin has far more class than this and his team gave a great effort against Duke tonight..I'm ready for some basketball..
jamgod writes:
Well, each to his own opinion but I really wish you would leave and never come back. Your the type of fan Tenn can do with out!!
volgrog#210164 writes:
Franklin better get used to it. His talent is as good as it is going to get. No doubt he's a good coach, but he's playing with redshirt juniors and seniors. TN is playing with true freshmen and sophomores. If Vandy was going to get UT, this was the year.
And for those of you who are hating on Dooley, stuff it. If you are a real UT fan, you'll shut your pie hole and give the guy a decent chance. Three coaching changes in four years means you've got to appreciate beating Vandy.
jamgod writes:
What do you mean"not the image Dooley doesn't want to project?" Yeah, far be it for the coach to celebrate with his team after a win...I thought it was awsome. I wish more fans like you would go root for someone else then...like I said to abdulla...dipsh%t...whatever...whatever...it's fans like you Tenn can do without!!
jamgod writes:
Priceless
Navaloranges writes:
The more babble you present, the more you look like a little girl needing attention.
frblalack writes:
Couldn't be more pleased! Coach Dooley is the REAL DEAL! We will rise to the top once again under CDD.
It is AWESOME that we have a Coach who is genuine, sort of different from the guy he replaced.
Go Big Orange!!! And...Franklin is SOOOORE LOSER.
miatatom writes:
Go someplace else, please.
Cobb_Webb_Attack writes:
It's easy to forget that most of the Tennessee players are just college kids, and that celebration was pure, unadulterated joy.
If you can't let yourself feel it without qualification or cynicism, you might want to get the ol' ticker checked.
VOLliven2it writes:
You can't compare this to Gundy. His was directed to the media. This was done secretly by someone looking for publicity. That is sad. But it is what it is. No doubt we will hear more and more and more about it... But since we are having a struggling year, maybe not. Bet old FrankyCommod-man plays it a lot as inspiration for the Vol game next year.
dvhill100 writes:
Like to see a coach show some emotion, as long as it is reasonably under control. Dooley was having fun with his players and none of that was supposed to see the light of day. Congrats to the idiot that put it on youtube. You got your 15 minutes of fame. Feel better?
Pompey writes:
...not intended to project an image troll, having some private time with his tean which another troll violated, crawel back under your hill and be carefull not to use the scared words Vol or Orange which are reseverd for the faithful.....
ngautgirl writes:
I agree, also you will not even see Franklin at Vandy in a few years if he has any kind of success. Vandy is a job that will be a steeping stone for him. The poor kids that he recruits will only be left crying in his wake. "Brian Kimbrow" "
ProfessionalHandicapper writes:
Dooley should be happy, last year when Vandy had no coach he was up on Vandy by 7 points with 2 minutes. This year Vandy starts a QB in his 6th College start and he plays poorly, Vandy misses two field goals, and Dooley gets a break on a roughing the Kicker on a block and he wins by default in overtime at home vs Vandy. Both coaches should feel bad about a game so poorly played. Dooley has sunk UT to a whole new level. I wish we had video when Bama,LSU and Ark beat him by more than 100 points combined. I hope UT keeps this guy a long time, I love that Vandy now is a BIG win instead of a gimme.
snuffysmiff writes:
A few days ago you were telling us how great Jordan Rogers is and how Vandy was going to win by double digits. Now he is a poor little newbie with only his sixth college start. Which is it? Is he a superstar or a choker?
bigOutfan writes:
Keep it up! I don't see anything wrong with a kick-a@# attitude from the coaches and the players. They need something like this to get them up after an otherwise disappointing season. But on the other hand I think what goes on in the locker room should be between the the coaches and players and not made public.
snuffysmiff writes:
It was some Fulmerite trying to embarrass Dooley I'll bet. UT needs to investigate and castigate this person.
ngautgirl writes:
For the first time in 20 + years this was a big win when for us. Vandy has been playing over there heads and we have had a sub par year. Next year it's back to the status quo.
Volunatic writes:
It's become a common troll method on GVX boards-- they act as if they are diehard Vol fans that merely don't like anything about UT.
atributetoLombardiwasbanned writes:
I will concede one thing to you Jeff.
You are indeed an expert on pathetic.
bapper11 writes:
That was hysterical seeing Dooley in his orange clown pants being thrown in the air for beating who? I don't know how he could make a bigger clown of himself than the silly pants, goofing facial expressions, and acting like he just won the super bowl for beating who?
allvol32 writes:
To paraphrase NavalOrange's response to Abdul bret - which may well be you under yet another one of your too numerous to count handles:
The more babble you present, the more you look like a little girl needing attention.
Grow up and get off of this site for good...
veinsoforange writes:
I agree wholeheartedly. CDD is a lot like Pearl was in that he has the Charisma, enthusiasm, passion, and a high level of INTELLIGENCE!
He also has a tremendous amount of common sense too. He really has an overall tremendous coaching personality.
We WILL rise to the top with Dooley as long as the pessimistic (I'm sorry, but ignorant) fan base gives the man the time any coach deserves.
snuffysmiff writes:
A few days ago you were telling us how great Jordan Rogers is, how he can run and he can pass and how Vandy was going to win by double digits. Now he is a poor little newbie with only his sixth college start. Which is it? Is he a superstar or a choker?
UT spotted Vandy 14 pts courtesy of Bray who hadn't started a game since early October. Next time Vandy might not be so lucky and it will be a real whoopin' that Vandy is more accustomed to from UT. Vandy's best in years couldn't beat the worst UT in years. Get over it. There will be more to come. I will enjoy seeing UT beat this punk Franklin like a drum, often and regularly.
navarrebeachvol writes:
Brett, where has the ole professional Vandycrapper been hiding?? Vandy by 10 was it? Maybe you need to find a new profession. goob.
tn_rockytop writes:
i think you missed the point but if you are talking about how you lowered your parents expectations then i understand.
wallingdad writes:
I just wish Dooley could say the same thing about Alabama, Florida, Georgia, USC, Auburn, LSU...
RockyMountainVol writes:
SemiProHandicapped, on Sunday:
"And just so you idiots know I have one screen name and feel after this game I have nothing more to say about the sinking of the once proud UT program."
Pretty funny stuff, Handicapped. You've already exposed the fact that your sports predicitions are ridiculously off the mark. But now, you've proven that you cannot even accurately predict your own behavior 48 hours in advance!
The only time a win over Vandy is a big win for UT is when UT is at its lowest and Vandy is at its highest... and STILL Vandy goes home the loser.
Shut up and go hug Jimmy Franklin.
SummittsCourt writes:
Yeah, as I have been saying, Coach Dooley has this program going in the right direction.
From this video i take 2 things.
1. His players believe in him and his system
2. There will be even more victory celebrations over the next couple of years over the likes of FU, GA, bama and a few others.
VFL!
SummittsCourt writes:
Happy for the seniors who have been through 4 rough years but they hung in there and got a great win on Senior Night.
Now extend Kentucky to 27 and kick butt in the bowl game.
hueypilot writes:
Hey there Professional Handjob. To paraphrase DD, you don't know (bleep)_about it. And you were telling us how great Vandy was. Best Vandy team in years. Worst Tennessee team since (IMO) 1963. Same old result. Now all Franklin's rants will likely cause Vanderbilt to lose, again, on the road, to Wake Forest. Frankln better find a new gig before this historic season of beating Elon and Ole Miss fades from memory.
murrayvol writes:
Could he be turning over a new leaf?? More at 10.
woodwr#217203 writes:
I remember hearing "We don't give a damn about the whole state of Iowa...." when the locker room was under the east stands in 1982.
It feels so good that the staff and players aren't just doing a job....you can hear team-ness when they sing..."we're from Tennessee"
murrayvol writes:
Not nearly so pathetic as your post.
Good Lord man. Get a life outside of GVX.
murrayvol writes:
He's got no place else to go....plus he gets his pathetic existance reaffirmed countless times here.....every day.
decades_vol writes:
Nah, it's his mama getting all the attention down at the local sugar-daddy's. He's merely at home, posting on the website till mama comes home. Needs anger-management therapy or medication.
smokies_old_soul writes:
same thing ocurred to me - Franklin sounds like the kind of person who looks for ways to be offended so he can tell everyone about it.
SIMSVOL writes:
Abduh - what an idiot - you're missing the whole point of an incredible celebration and moment - because you're not a VOL!
Go VOLS!!!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.