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- Signing day celebration at Neyland Stadium
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There wasn't much about Tennessee's situation that qualified as ideal.
It was coming off a losing football season, one that was capped off by a streak-busting defeat at Kentucky.
The Vols were forced to deal with turnover on a coaching staff that will eventually feature six new faces.
Even as it neared the finish line with much of its recruiting class intact, a pair of valuable commitments spurned the program just before their signatures were due.
And that was just in the past two months.
Not much has come easily for coach Derek Dooley as he heads into the third year of his rebuilding job at UT. But after dealing with everything from the possibility of NCAA sanctions to a seeming lack of momentum in the summer, Dooley, a handful of holdovers and his new assistants still assembled a group that ranked 19th in the country according to 247sports.com on National Signing Day after officially landing 14 new players to go with seven early enrollees.
"All in all, if you look at all that's happened, all that's transpired, it's hard to feel better than I do today," Dooley said during his press conference Wednesday. "I made the comment to our coaching staff, this is the best I've felt as far as the future of our program, where we're headed, in the 24 months that I've been on the job.
"It's a good day, man. It's a happy day and I'm looking forward to celebrating it with our staff."
The Vols kicked off the celebration by landing the top-rated junior college prospect in the country, with wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson giving the class a marquee, five-star talent at the top of the list.
The addition of Patterson, along with three more four-star wideouts in Alton Howard, Jason Croom and Drae Bowles, adds significant depth to a position in need of it and could give quarterback Tyler Bray a wealth of options with juniors Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers already in the fold.
And while the defensive side of the ball was hit hard by the late defections of linebackers Dalton Santos and Otha Peters, UT was able to hang onto a pair of four-star signees with safety LaDarrell McNeil and defensive tackle Danny O'Brien helping it weather what appeared to be a storm of negative recruiting aimed at the program.
"Certainly on the social media landscape, which I call the National Barbershop, it was nonstop, a lot of haircuts being given," Dooley said. "(It) creates a fear and paranoia that the other schools love to highlight — and you end up having to defend things that are not only baseless, but there's absolutely nothing to it.
"We created a lot of it. I'm not complaining about it. If we do our shop a little bit better at the end of the year, we don't have a lot of that."
The Vols dealt with recruiting issues even before the end of the season, though the two months that followed provided plenty of adversity.
UT had five coaches leave for other jobs and one more won't be returning to the program, putting a strain on the remaining three assistants as Terry Joseph, Darin Hinshaw and Jim Chaney worked to keep the pieces together.
The focus on the NCAA investigation by opposing recruiters eventually was replaced by the disappointing end of the season and the coaching transition, which also forced the Vols into a defensive role.
Then there was the new rule that limited teams to a class of 25 players, which threw one more challenge at them.
And while Dooley doesn't appear to be done working yet thanks to the flexibility afforded by finishing Wednesday with 21 new additions, that didn't deter him from taking a bit of time to enjoy the end of a challenging year.
"I will say this is probably as tough a recruiting climate in the last 12 months as I've been through," he said. "We gave a lot of ammunition to our competitors, and in this league it's hard enough when you don't give them ammunition.
"We gave them plenty."
Austin Ward covers Tennessee football. Follow him at http://twitter.com/Vols_Beat and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/ward
Dan Proctor draws Tennessee Football…
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Comments » 155
CincyOhVol writes:
The fact Dooley is happy with a recruiting class that is 10th in the SEC according to Rivals and 8th in the SEC according to Scout is an excellent indication of just how out of touch this man is with reality.
grumpyfiftynine writes:
The future looks bright.Gbo
spankymbc writes:
I am excited as a vol fan because Dooley is not just recruiting good football players but good men that honor their commitments. So many 5 stars never pan out because they have the "me" syndrome. I will take a team of 3 and 4's all day long if they are good men. Given the time Dooley will not only have a great program but a field full of good men!! Go Big Orange.
CincyOhVol writes:
Based on what FACT exactly?
Southland writes:
man, you guys need to give Dooley a break. He has not done a great job like Fulmer did for the first 12 years but Fulmer inherited a pretty good program and made it better. Dooley inherited a nightmare that truth be told few good coaches would want. He doesnt have a top 5 class like we want and like Fulmer used to get us but he has had more junk to deal with than any coach in the SEC. No other program has been in the state of chaos that UT was in and he is making it better. I think he will not last as coach but give the man some credit for working thru some really bad things and bad luck as well. Try to do like Dooley and be happy for a few minutes before whining about what we didnt get
orangecountyvols writes:
Spanky,
Just wanted you to know you have the one credible
comment among those I just read.
pcorange writes:
I'd feel pretty good if we were competing in the PAC 12 or the Big Ten, but we're competing in the SEC. Maybe it'll be okay.
wigmeister writes:
gotta walk before you can run.
lavette12389 writes:
i dont look at stars. just look what frank beamer does yr after yr with top 50 classes not top 10
GloryDays writes:
Fulmer was the lead recruiter for Majors, who couldn't recruit. How has Dooley made the program better? 5-7 and 6-7. Dooley has no accomplishments or signature wins.
On the Postive side the Vols have 3 great recievers and should rack up a ton of yards and hopefully some wins. I have been critical and I think rightly so but I can see a 8-4 year perhaps 9-3. Perhaps we all can be more positive and get things rolling in the right direction!!!
allvols4life writes:
And what Facts are you basing the prediction that this class won't be competitive in the SEC? Rankings of these classes don't mean a whole lot. Would I like a higher ranked class? Sure... But I will support the kids that signed up to play for my VOLS regardless of stars or rankings!
dvols writes:
TN got your back coach.....there will be 110,000 strong come kick off....
wide reciever U
Coach Dooley put his booty out on the line in a tough situation....
it is getting better...fast..the facilities are ever improving crazy like...TN is way ahead in this...(cept Oregon)
no arrest in a year...
great hire...hamilton did just fine...
no bitterness here
Dooley = CHaracter and integrity!
GloryDays writes:
Better yet look at Boise State. The question which hasn't been answer yet is Dooley able to coach them up?
CincyOhVol writes:
In 2010 we were 6-7. In 2011 we were 5-7.
We are not making progress and your comment is yet another example of sentimentalism and emotion that flies in the face of reality and hard facts.
CincyOhVol writes:
You've not answered my question because you cannot answer my question.
VolMoment writes:
CincyOhVol absolutely knows nothing about recruiting. The difference between number 1 class and number 25 is maybe two players that are ranked by people who never see these guys and are not coaches. And some players are late comers in high school so they don't get high ranking but wind up out performing a five star recruit. Johnny Majors said it best when asked about his number one recruiting class and he said I will let you know in four years whether they are number one. Recruited 30 and had 16 left four years later annd only five contributed. Get in bed and read your primary reader they gave you.
CincyOhVol writes:
It has nothing to dow with what he says or does not say.
It has to do with how he feels about this class, "happy". How can he be happy with a recruiting class that is at the bottom of the SEC? Answer: He doesn't know the level of talent that it takes to win in the SEC.
If he was still in the WAC he'd have reason to be happy.
dvols writes:
do you really think Fulmer or Saban coaches up....
Haynesworth, Henderson, jamal, Manning, goodrich, henry, stewart, berry, pickens, still, miller, clifton, carter, bryson,..stallworth, little, mayo, deon, whitten,..amsler..colquitt..mcklesky...and on and on
so easy a cave man can do it!
CincyOhVol writes:
For the sake of argument let's assume that there is very little difference between class #1 and #25, ie a couple of players.
In 2010 we had the #9 team, in 2011 we had the #13 team according to Rivals. Why then if we are just a couple of players away from #1 do we still have losing seasons?
It couldn't be the coaching ability of Dooley could it?
bnakk#240693 writes:
One thing you guys have got to remember and that is it isn't what your "sign" it is what you get in school and keep. While the initial class rankings under Dooley appear to be a bit of a step back from Fulmer and Pudknocker (Kiffin) look a little closer. Hardly any of Dooley's signees have washed out due to grades, been flushed out due to criminal activity, or just under-performed relative to their "star" ranking. Both Fulmer and Pudknocker had multiple 5 stars recruits who didn't contribute squat to the program and that 2009 signing class of Pudknocker's scarcely has any warm bodies left on the team let alone 5 star players. I might also remind you that the Nebraska teams that won 3 national titles in the 90's never cracked the top 10 in recruiting, and Boise state never even sniffs of it. Further Peyton wasn't even the top high school QB according to the recruiting services. Outside of our glaring lack of depth, which you can blame on Fulmer and Pudknocker, we were competitive with most teams until they wore us down: something some more recruits that actually stick with the program should help solve.
FEARinSEC writes:
Question is, how can you NOT be happy with this recruiting class? It fills needs with quality talent and provides depth. If you think we should be recruiting with the likes of Bama, Florida and others in the SEC after the last few years and how this past season ended, then you sir are the one out of touch with reality!
Either stand behind your so-called team and the 21 new VFL's we signed today or go find another team to pull for, T-R-O-L-L!!! I hear Vandy needs some new BANDWAGON FANS, I'm sure you'll fit right in!
GO VOLS!!!
allvols4life writes:
You are right, I can't answer your question. I have no facts to say we will be successful. But I choose to support the players regardless. I am not a person that is saying Dooley leads UT back to glory. But I also am not saying that he can't. I hope he does because that means we get back sooner rather than later.
FEARinSEC writes:
WOW, your idiocy knows no bounds!! So you think a team full of freshman and sophomores should be able to hang with teams stocked full of SEC experienced upperclassmen?? REALLY??
beartn#223846 writes:
<<do you really think Fulmer or Saban coaches up....
Haynesworth, Henderson, jamal, Manning, goodrich, henry, stewart, berry, pickens, still, miller, clifton, carter, bryson,..stallworth, little, mayo, deon, whitten,..amsler..colquitt..mcklesky...and on and on
so easy a cave man can do it!>>
Tennessee didn't always have the #1 class, but Fulmer put more players in the NFL than any other program during his first 10 to 12 years. Compare that to Ray Goff that always had the #1 recruiting class but didn't put nearly as many in the pros. I don't think it's as simple as finding great players that coach themselves. It's talent and coaching.
Colliervol writes:
Posted the following on another article. Thought it was worth posting here in support of your statement:
Folks, all of the brilliant analysis is fun and all but if you want to read something interesting, check out the article on pg 2 of USA Today Sports today. It compares the final Coach's Poll this season with the top 10 recruiting classes of 2008 as rated by Rivals, Tom Lemming, and Allen Wallace. (They should be the senior class this past season.) Here's the final poll:
Alabama
LSU
OK State
Oregon
Arkansas
Boise State
Stanford
South Carolina
Michigan
Michigan State
Now granted Alabama was the consensus # 1 in all the services and that is a tribute to Nick Saban. However, out of the other 9 teams in the final poll, guess how many were mentioned in the three recruiting rankings in 2008. A grand total of ONCE. Michigan at # 9 in the Rivals list. That's it. Moral to the story: It takes several recruiting classes in a row to make a dent. And trying to predict future success from recruiting rankings is worthless.
Even Bama's recent success wasn't built on "5 Star" prospects. Of the recent "stars", only Julio Jones was a "5 Star". Ingram, Dareus, Barron, Upshaw, Hightower? All mid-level recruits. Low rated prospects like Robert Lester and Brad Smelley became key contributors. So it isn't all superstars that get it done. It is mostly player development. Teams like Notre Dame (#2 in all the rankings), Florida, Georgia, Southern Cal, Texas, Miami, etc didn't get the job done with all that "talent" they got in 2008. Just as UT didn't do it with the "talent" we supposedly hauled in from 2007 to 2009. Inexact science? You bet your rear end it is.
Having said that, Derek needs to win at least 8 this year or he won't see year 4. Just my opinion.
beartn#223846 writes:
One other thing, I always take recruiting rankings with a grain of salt. In theory, a team could get the #1 rated class by stocking up the best players in positions that they don't need. This class did a good job addressing our needs at DT, RB, and WR. The hole in this class is at LB with our transition to a 3-4 defense. We also look like we upgraded our speed. Of course, we won't know until we see the results on the field, but I would say a pretty good, but not great class.
mountainbrook writes:
This must be the "NegaVol" forum.
dlobh writes:
Or could the first year be a case of Kiffin hangover and last year be a case of the top two playmakers missing significant time. Do you honestly think the Vols would have won only 5 games if Hunter and Bray had stayed healthy. Find any team that loses its top two playmakers on offense and see what kind of hit the season takes. Don't get me wrong - don't think they would've won 10 games last year with all players healthy, but everybody who is so down on Dooley fails to keep in mind how significant the loss of those two was last year. The team was built to throw the ball around, like they did against Cincinnati and were doing against Florida until Hunter's injury (he was wide open when he fell awkwardly and was injured).
Give Dooley a break and give him one more year. If they are reasonably healthy next year and win 7 games or less, then maybe Dooley should be re-evaluated.
HtownVol writes:
Just one thing.
If UT does not run a 4-5 WR set on 75% of offensive plays, Chaney just does not get it.
It does not take a genius to see that UT is built to pass the ball all over the field.
GO VOLS
VatoMobile writes:
Watch out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02EK9c...
VolfanClinton writes:
Just answer this ? Who would win more games last year if Kiffin and Dooley coached the same players ? Kiffin would never lose to Kentucky with a wide receiver playing quarterback !!!!
pingkr62 writes:
We can't pay any attention to people like CincyOhVol. He is one of those people who enjoy complaining. Tennessee could have signed the second best class today and he would have whined about that. Some people just can't be pleased. G.B.O.!!!
givehim6 writes:
You know even though I do not support the man like I did a year ago, I do admire him for trying. I know some want CDD to just give up, but what would this be telling the players? When life gets hard give up? People can say bad about him but at least he in trying to earn his pay check. Do not get me wrong UT needs a better Head Coach I am saying he is not sitting on his duff cashing checks.
AZ_Vol writes:
We'll answer your question as soon as you describe in detail the recruiting processes Dooley is working under that are both NCAA and UT imposed (as a condition of foregoing more sanctions from the former).
Maybe once you deal honestly with the situation, you may have an appreciation for what Dooley is going through and gain insight into the situation, instead of acting like a nitwit.
Colliervol writes:
And by now, Kiffin would have had us on probation worse than SMU got.
AHOUSE writes:
Chaney ---glad you brought him up. Dooley needs to coach him up on calling plays. A lot was said about poor choices at critical times during the season. No more wildcat calls on the two yard line. I think that killed the team spirit and lost the game and really cost us more than the game.
BigHornBuckShot writes:
I think 25th in the nation is not bad for a program that has still not hit bottom. Everyone knows that Dooley has to win 8 games next year to keep his job. Well S. Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi State are not winnable. So that means he must beat Florida, NC State, and a very good Vandy team (on the road) to keep his job. And he is going to have to do it with some kids at key positions, that would just as soon not be here. It will be tough.
AllforTenn writes:
So-called "fans" like you and your posts like this hurt the program and recruiting. Hope you feel good about your negative comments. True fans resent people like you.
BigHornBuckShot writes:
Oops! I left off Missouri, with the top recruit in the nation. That means Dooley cannot lose to Florida, NC St., Missouri, or Vandy to keep his job. I wonder if he loses to NC St. and Florida early on, will he be terminated mid season.
AllforTenn writes:
Find yourself a team to pull for. It's apparent you don't like Tennessee. What an ignorant rant. Negative comments like yours hurt recruiting. Support UT or get off here.
AllforTenn writes:
Your question and comments are not worth answering. You like to criticize the coaches and hurt recruiting, huh? Other recruiters use negative comments like this against Tennessee. Leave true UT fans alone and get lost.
underthehill writes:
I could be wrong but I think 7 wins gets Dooley another year unless...N C State beats UT the first game..then I doubt he makes it thru the year..and Sunseri takes over...
VOL_MAROONED_IN_NC writes:
Boise State plays New Mexico, San Jose State, Nevada, Utah State, etc. Tennessee has to find people who can compete with Alabama, LSU, Florida, Arkansas, etc. This is a completely invalid comparison. Boise has found a niche in beating up the little guy and avoiding picking on someone their own size mopre than once a year; there's no way the talent they possess could stand up over the course of an SEC season.
tdvol1989 writes:
You know what Beamer does? He dominates a lesser conference and loses the big one. Now, don't get me wrong. He has done very well with his Top 50 classes. But, do you really think he would not do as well with Top 10 Classes?
For the record, the overall rankings are so subjective, the difference between 1 and 5 and 8 and 15 are not that big IF you recruit need and can coach. But, please don't argue that you are better off with less talent. Just give Beamer credit for being a really good coach...which we don't have.
tdvol1989 writes:
I expect him to be truthful and admit that not going to a bowl after losing to Kentucky was HUMILIATING! And, I expect him to say that they guys we picked up are all top notch guys, but we had a couple slip away. Don't spin it.
We did not sign a lot of dead weight here. But, we missed out on a couple of JUCO's and the 2 LB's and that was a disappointment...plain and simple. Why is that so hard?
born2ride writes:
Ask Dooley how he feels next year - when he is unemployed.
drum56 writes:
AMEN!!! Being a former Vol..."fans" like this have no clue how much they hurt recruiting efforts to Tennessee! If you were a potential recruit for Tennessee & had no ties to this University, why in the hell would you sign here when "fans" bash the coaching staff & even the players!! They don't get it!!!!!!
VOL_MAROONED_IN_NC writes:
Couldn't be happier over the number 17 class in the nation. What Coach Doolittle will never wrap his brain around is the fact that the 17th ranked class in the nation is the SIXTH ranked class in the SEC! He does not have the intensity and temperament to realize that if you dont finish at the top of this fight you are mediocore within your own confernece and are doomed to 7-5..aw hell who am I fooling, 5-7.. year after year because you will never be able to compete with the top end of the conference. And for those who don't believe recruiting rankings are important, go back and check the class rank for Alabama, LSU, Florida, and Auburn 2-3 years before they won their National Championships. Hopefully this class will at least provide some depth to whatever hopefully competent coach takes over for Doo-Leave in December 2012 or January 2013.
tdvol1989 writes:
Not sure where you land on the issue, but you do realize that by pubbing programs like Boise St. or Arkansas that win with lower ranked talent that you are indicting our Coach. If they win with less talent, surely you cannot assume that they win because of less talent can you?
No. That leaves the obvious answer. They have superior coaching that can overcome talent deficienies. Hmm
papavol writes:
well said. i'm not the biggest Dooley fan in the world but you can't say that the man hasn't exhausted all of his efforts to try his best to make UT better. a few more recruits and we wouldve been a top 10 class according to some sites. I think he did an excellent job. defensive players may be a concern but we have 21 or so returning starters, not to mention our main talent back. I can't say that Dooley will have us winning consistently again or that he won't be fired. Be happy with what we got this year. by all means it should've been much worse it terms of recruiting. As far as we sank last year, we should all be happy that we have a top 25 class period.
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