Derek Dooley Fired At Tennessee

gruden

I want to thank Coach Dooley too. Now what are the chances of getting Gruden? Guys like Mortenson and La Canfora? say there is a good chance he comes to UT but the Knoxville media says there is no chance. Only one person who knows what Jon Gruden is going to do next and that is Jon Gruden.

GregPomeroy

Andy_Staples RT @laurakeeley: #Duke's David Cutcliffe: "I can tell you right now that I'm going to be coaching at Duke next year."19 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

HoustonVol

2 Like

I want to thank coach Dooley. He was willing to step into an unwinnable situation. Three years ago we were looking for a coach willing to come into a program two weeks before signing day, facing NCAA sanctions, following one of the best coaches in school history that raised the bar, and an athletic director on his last legs whom most would assume would not be around to back you through the tough years. Most major programs give new coaches three years to show something before the first extend/fire decision is made, and your first year and key third season would be judged on players you did not recruit. This un-winnable situation is why any coach with a concern about his record or legacy turned down the job. You stepped in and shouldered the burden. Your family and personal history shows that you were not blind to the task you were undertaking. You restored the foundation of the program. You set us up to bring in a new coaching staff that has the resources to succeed, something you did not have. You structured your contract to reward you nicely in case the likely happened, you were fired after you third or fourth year. The Vol Nation thanks you for your service, and wish you and your family well for the future. In my book you will always be a Vol for Life.

hoglive

@HoustonVol Did you call Kiffin "one of the best coaches in school history"? Seriously?

HoustonVol

I lump the Dooley/Kiffin years together in following Fulmer. Regardless of what you personally think of Fulmer, stat wise he is easily on the short list of best coaches in UT history.

SevierVol

Well said. You can never blame somene who is willing to accept a promotion that is a definite step towards their ultimate goal. No matter our intelligence level or experience, we can all be promoted to a level of incompetence. You should never blame anyone who takes the challenge and fails as long as that person is giving their full effort. I have never read or heard that Dooley was a slacker. When someone is promoted to a position over their head, or are not given the resources to suceed, the blame should be placed on the person giving the promotion and not the person taking the challenge.

SevierVol

The King is dead. LONG LIVE THE KING

Clarence

@SevierVol His dad was a king. Derek was more like a prince.

TheN8tureBoy

@Clarence @SevierVol Court jester.

I kid. Seriously, I will always be glad that he came in and attempted to calm the storm and restore honor to UT. Thanks Derek. Pour a little out for ex- CDD.