Derek Dooley made a strong case for his Tennessee football program in Tuesday's media conference. That should surprise no one.
He was an attorney before he was a head coach. As he cited his program's attributes before a morning media gathering, it wasn't hard to imagine him passionately and strategically summing up a case before a jury.
Among his points: the program is in far better shape now than when he began his watch 22 months ago; coaching attrition is expected; 19 starters will return next season; his next team won't suffer from a lack of player leadership.
He doesn't just tell you that. He tells you with conviction.
But there's more evidence to consider, the most compelling of which is coaching attrition.
Coaches come and go at both successful and failing programs. They move upward, laterally and closer to home. They move for more money, more security and sometimes even more peace of mind.
No one is more aware of
that than Dooley, a longtime assistant under current Alabama coach Nick Saban. Working for Saban isn't easy duty. You win. You are paid well. And you don't get a lot of coffee breaks.
Four UT assistant coaches have left since the end of a 5-7 season. Having served on Saban's staff, Dooley sees that as no big deal. Should you?
The most significant losses came Tuesday, when defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox and linebackers coach Peter Sirmon left for similar positions at the University of Washington. Both are from the Northwest, so you could factor that into the departures.
But the main reason coaches move isn't for home, health or family. It's to advance their careers.
The Vols might have 19 starters returning. They might be making progress. Yet two young coaches apparently believe their careers would be better served by signing on with Washington, which in its last public appearance gave up 67 points to Baylor. Their departure says more about the program than any of the numerous rumors regarding personnel and team chemistry after the season-ending loss to Kentucky.
You can't evaluate the program based solely on what just happened, though. You also have to consider the recent recruiting history.
In a 2011 preseason scouting report, one publication quoted an SEC coach as saying UT's talent wasn't much different from Vanderbilt's. That's not off-base. And that's not a reflection of Dooley, who has had the opportunity to sign only one full class.
You don't need an anonymous coach to point out UT's talent decline. Check the competition. You can see more dynamic players whether you watch the New Orleans Bowl or the BCS national championship game.
Talent sometimes can override everything else in the field of play. Bad team chemistry, bad calls and bad days can be overcome simply by handing the ball to Trent Richardson or snapping it to Cam Newton.
LSU's Les Miles isn't the only coach to be bailed out by great players.
He just receives more attention for it.
Saban is generally regarded as the best coach in college football. Yet he lost to UAB in his first season at LSU and to Louisiana-Monroe in his first season at Alabama.
When you're lacking in talent, other shortcomings are magnified. That's not to suggest those shortcomings should be dismissed.
Dooley's second team at UT didn't play with as much effort as his first. The running game regressed drastically despite the return of the leading rusher and a more experienced group of blockers. The loss to a bad Kentucky team was even harder to explain. Now, two coaches who positively impacted a defense that overachieved for the most part have chosen not to invest in UT's football future.
You can weigh that against Dooley's well articulated optimism. The verdict will come later.
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.
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Comments » 37
VolunteerLifer writes:
True enough, Adams. That two good coaches would make lateral moves to Washington and not see through a rebuilding process that they helped start is a vote of no confidence in Dooley's leadership. I don't see any other way of interpreting it. Right now, you have to say that Dooley has increased the talent level since taking over, and if he gets a top 15 class this year, I say keep riding his recruiting for the next couple of years. Even if he doesn't turn performance on the field around, he will at least have re-stocked the shelves for the next guy.
tenuscvol writes:
Well John, sounds to me like you're already trying to taint the verdict. You sure seemed to have continued to regress from: "It was Manning against boys Saturday night...."
So sad you've decided to keep at this ...
GoVols
1955_Vol writes:
I disagree VolunteerLife. Wilcox may have wanted to return to his roots. Sarkasian has an easier row to hoe in the PAC-12 than in the SEC. Wilcox is very familiar in recruiting circles in the west. Sirmon was along for the ride. No confidence in Dooley's leadership??? They may disagree with him but it may be just as simple as they wanted to go west.
thevoice writes:
Adams appears right again. But again, I just hat to admit such about my Alma Mater. The most telling part about the coaching defects is the fact that they move on only because of career advancement.
Razor784 writes:
I'm not sure them leaving was even a "lateral" move, Washington doesn't have the tradition of UT, the fan interest in the northwest is nowhere near the level that it is in the southeast and their stadium isn't even 3/4 the size of Neyland stadium. I know they're both from the northwest, but it seems more like they're leaving a sinking ship.
ColdBlackWind writes:
Dave Hart, not Dooley, will define what this program looks like in the next 3 years. IMO he is positioning the staff for a wholesale change after the 2012 season. This is why he is here. The transition will be painful and will take more years than anybody out there under 50 years old can imagine. The instant gratification generation might as well find another team to back until order is restored. This is going to take at least 10 years to return to prominence in the SEC.
VolunteerLifer writes:
You may be right, 55. I hope so. But you must admit it doesn't look good for a rising young coordinator to make a move that isn't a head coach move, especially to a school in a lower conference without the tradition of UT.
GoVols_16 writes:
Why did Chuck Smith leave? Could it have anything to do with why we have also lost 4 other coaches this off-season? Dooley might be bringing the Jimmys & Joes, but I'm not so sure he's of Saban's ilk in the Xs & Os.
This team DEFINITELY regressed from last year and I'm wondering if that has more to do w/ the man on top rather than his supporting cast.
Yes, you might not get many coffee breaks on a Saban-coached team, but you darn sure get effort from the team. The KY game showed us all what we get w/ Dooley at the helm.
I also think it is going to take ~ 10 years to turn this ship back around. I believe it can & will happen in time. LSU was terrible for a long time. Bama has been down before. The Vols will get it back in time, too.
vut5686#1405392 writes:
Adams, of course, represents the prosecution. "Don't listen to what he says," he tells the jury."Listen to what I say; "Here is all the evidence that this man is guilty of negligence in caring for our beloved football program." Further, "Who would you rather believe; someone whose livelihood and reputation will be determined by success and is dedicated to that purpose, or someone (like me, JA)who sits around watching the workers work, and writes little stories about what he thinks he sees"?
The prosecution is in the business to prosecute; oh, how often they get it wrong.
tobytyler writes:
I agree, Adams has been prosecuting ut sports for 20 yrs. Must be nice to keep throat punching a program and get paid well for it.
gbridgford#1405082 writes:
Always easy for the press to be negative. I love and believe the BIG ORANGE will turn it around. Coach Dooley needs our support!
fearthehound writes:
Amen. You people do remember the constant barrage coming from this guy when he led the get rid of Fulmer campaign, right? He's just a bitter old woman.
jjsteel writes:
Most west coast folks that move to the south/east (not just coaches) return to the west coast simply because they don't like the area/demographics.
fearthehound writes:
The most important thing now is for Dooley to get someone in there soon, and I hope it's someone who can help salvage the recruiting class--maybe a recognizable name. I would love to see the Chief come back, but I know there's zero chance of that, since UT b1tch slapped him after his last 20 year stint there.
arkyvol writes:
three and out. book it. his last year at u.t. will be typical of his career record (that's sub .500, folks). even the doo-lovers and the polly-anna's won't have enough lipstick for this pig.
volbike writes:
It would be nice if the News Cynical would respond to the rumors all over the net about UT hiring Randy Shannon for 1mm a year. Even if it is just a rumor but then the NC probably doesn't know about it. Supposed to be announced early next week.
Not sure how the bloggers have better sources that NS but I remember I heard from a friend in Raleigh about the NC State game two days before the NC mentioned it. I usually think that the only reason people by the NC is because of UT football and real estate ads so they should be more current???
Pompey writes:
...Dooley will not win the SEC East next year, but if his team shows significant progress he will not have to in order to get a fourth year to prove himself one way or the other. His most difficult job is living down Hamilton.
BigVolFaninSC writes:
I have a feeling that this is more about going home than anything else, also! Not to mention, it's easier to pick off an upset against USC or Oregon than LSU, Bama and Arkansas in succession! Now, we will see if other coaches see Tennessee as the opportunity that us true fans know that it is!
jack_2222#231746 writes:
Losing Sirmon is bigger than losing Wilcox. Even if Steele is a second choice, how about bringing him on board? Definitely not enough former Vols in the picture.
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Of course, JA spins 2 coaches leaving as pulling their commitment to CDD. How else would Mr Happy paint it??
Let's not look for another obvious explanation...
Wilcox wants to be a HC. Why not? Who wouldn't in his shoes. But after two years in the SEC, Wilcox came to an obvious conclusion. DCs in the SEC are not looked upon as HC material. More like cannon fodder. Chavis is a prime example. He is one botched assignment/missed tackle in the NC game from being lynched.
Wilcox has developed a system that can put a muzzle on a sped up west coast spread offense. He had his best success here against those type of offenses. BUT THAT AIN'T THE SEC!
Every week he had to have an answer against the spread, or wildcat/option, or pro-set, or run-it down-your-throat-until-you-puke set. Or all of the above in any given quarter!!
Can't be a hero DC if you're stopping just the spread in the SEC...and WILCOX KNOWS IT.
snakeplissken writes:
Talk about spin - do you also write speeches for Obama?
OldNumber7 writes:
This could have absolutely nothing to do with not investing in UT's future for these coaches. It could have everything to do with getting back home. Don't read too much into it. Young coaches make these moves all the time..not settled yet.
VOLS_SEC_RULES writes:
Need to quit hiring West Coast coaches. They think they want to be part of Big Boy football (SEC) until they arrive here and see how hard it is to recruit and play competively in the SEC. Once they begin to understand, they are ready to go home.
RockyTopRenegade writes:
...and my favorite speech was
"Tonight, under my direction, US Navy Seals have eliminated Osama Bin Laden."
Mission accomplished.
tenndave writes:
John, you give way to much credit to those Def coaches who couldn't come up with a plan to beat the least talented KY team we have played in 24 years. Our D backs were taught that if you are within 5 yds of the reciever when he catches the ball, then you have tight coverage. When you lose to KY someone gets fired or encouraged to move. If Dooley let's it happen again, then he will not last. That Def ranking of 28th is about as accurate as me being a coach. WE LOST TO KY! NO DC LETS THAT HAPPEN WHEN KY WAS USING A WIDE RECIEVER AS QB! Whether JW is a great coach or not, someone had to pay and it was too soon to be the head coach. Dooley is correct. We have 19 of 22 starters returning. If we don't improve greatly, he will be history too but for now there had to be blood.
budd#207344 writes:
Wilcox wants to be a head coach. The way to that goal is to be a successful coordinator. Hmmmm lets see, if I am the DC in the pac12 I just have to compete against Monte Kiffin. If I am the DC in the SEC I have to compete with Saban & Smart, Grantham @ga, Chavis @ LSU, or Muschamp @ fla. Guess where I am going to go?
halloffamebowler writes:
Well now, I wouldn't say the program is better now than 22 months ago when Dooley started his watch.That is an opinion Dooley is entitled to.Some of us know better and are entitled to our opinion also.
Losing nearly all his assit.coaches,two straight losing seasons and players transfering and or de commiting says differently,not to mention players acusing Dooley of not having very good control of the star players.
I believe it will take more than good recruiting to get U.T. back to being feared and respected.
SummittsCourt writes:
Look at the bright side for a change folks, if Wilcox is all that and a bag of chips, in a couple of years he will develop a great defense along with Washington's offense and they will be able to beat USC and weasel boy again and again.
See, sometimes it is better on the positive side of things.
My guess is he is going west to be closer to his roots and that is it. Why else would he turn down Texas after last year. Texas is a much better job than Washington. Stop trying to nail the coffin on the Dooley era.
When the winning starts you will not be invited to join the bandwagon if you keep this up.
GONAVY writes:
Truth spoken with conviction and honesty. Now be prepared for the apologists onslaught...
chl1958 writes:
Adams,the word for 2012 is positive. Can your sourpuss personality deal with that? Are you the drama queen of the News Cynical,or just some Richard Head stirring up mischief? I am all for you standing in the unemployment line!
OwensboroVol writes:
The largest problem with the coaches leaving is the impact on recruiting for this season. It may be hard to hire 2 good coaches at this time of the year because I believe a lot of coaches will at least be loyal enough to the school they are at not to leave until after Feb. 1. I see Tennessee's recruiting class declining because of these coaches leaving. I feel like we will probably drop out of the top 25 in recruiting classes. Since they are taking lateral jobs, I think it was a slap to Dooley's face for them to leave during the most important time of the Recruiting season.
I_Bleed_Orng writes:
The KNS keeps publishing articles like this and then wonders why UT won't talk to them. Adams is a joke. The only thing he is a fan of is reading his own articles and being pleased with himself when he thinks he has annoyed most UT fans.
IMHO UT should declare a total blackout of info going to KNS. "You want info, give us a fair shot in your paper." No real fan gets any info from this paper anyway.
P.S. Adams is not indicative of all employees at this paper. I had to contact KNS the other day and was helped by a very nice lady who was quick, efficient, and very patient and tolerant of someone like me who is not technologically proficient.
MOOREVOLS writes:
Right now I just hope Dooley isn't waiting around to hire Kevin Steele from Clemson. Their defense is horrible and has been for years now. I'd rather see Lance Thompson promoted than have Steele.
F00tballfanatic writes:
most employees apply to other job offers at places where the future looks brighter so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize these departures means the future in Volville problably doesnt look bright with Perry Mason at the helm
volsbandit writes:
Trust me, it's for the best. Wilcox can't handle the SEC. The beatdowns we got proved that. He's already proved that. Unfortunately, Dooley can't handle it either. Next season has 6-6 wrote all over it if not worse.
fearthehound writes:
I see where Adams has made a couple of snipy posts on Twitter about Steele and the Vols, so get ready for a hit piece from the weasle in the morning.
kcbigorngX writes:
You just proved yourself ignorant of the truth.
This written with honest convictions.
No apologies necessary.
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