Dooley hire a triumph of substance over style
Vince Dooley remembers the day that his youngest son, Derek, made it clear that he wanted to be a football coach.
Derek had received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia where he played for George Welsh. He then attended law school at the University of Georgia.
His mother, Barbara, had seen her husband dedicate their entire married life to the coaching profession. That was enough heartache for one family. Her son–the baby of four children–was going to someday be a partner at King & Spalding, one of the biggest law firms in the country.
There was just one problem. Derek Dooley did not enjoy being a lawyer. He loved football. He had seen his father’s level headed, methodical approach to the profession and decided that was who and what he wanted to be. So, just like his father, Derek Dooley put together a game plan to convince his parents that leaving the legal profession–and the financial rewards that came with it–to make NO money in coaching was the right thing for him to do.
“He put together a compeling argument and had all of his bases covered like a good lawyer would,” Vince Dooley told me. “Finally, I stopped him and told him that he had convinced me. The real challenge was going to be talking to his mother.”
Barbara Dooley knew it was coming and knew what her response would be. Birds gotta fly. Fish gotta swim. Coaches have gotta coach. As Lou Holtz often says “Only coach if you can’t live without it. It’s just too hard.”
Derek Dooley couldn’t live without coaching and today he is the head coach at the University of Tennessee.
“Obviously, I am very proud of him as a father,” Vince Dooley told me Friday night. “As a coach, I know how hard these jobs are and I know what the challenges will be. There is part of me that wishes I could take some of the hits for him. But Derek is his own man. He proved that long ago.”
Some Tennessee fans may not be excited about this hire. They wanted a sexy name like a Will Muschamp or a Jon Gruden. First of all, neither of those guys were coming. Secondly, you have to understand that with this hire AD Mike Hamilton had to go with stability and competence over flash. Tennessee didn’t need somebody to win the press conference. They need somebody to run the football program. They didn’t need somebody to tweak Urban Meyer and get the chat rooms humming.
It was that desire for sexyness–of style over substance–that got Tennessee into trouble in the first place.
Here is what I mean by that. There seems to be this notion that in order to recruit the modern day high school football player you have to offer him some kind of show-business, NFL draft camp, MTV new-age mentality approach to the game.
The reality is that what has worked in college football for over 100 years still works today: You recruit good players with the opportunity to improve themselves educationally as people and professionally as athletes. You hire good coaches and you set high standards. You demand that everyone in the organization meet those standards. You understand that you work for the institution and not the other way around. You never do anything to embarrass the institution and you honor its history and traditions. You put together the plan for success and implement the plan. Those who do not wish to follow the plan are free to leave or will be asked to leave.
And that’s it. As the head coach, you do those things well and the rest will follow.
Is Derek Dooley going to have some rough spots ahead of him? Sure, because when everything shakes out, there may be more damage done to the program by Lane Kiffin than currently meets the eye. There were obviously some misgivings by others, who turned down the opportunity, that there are some real problems in this program.
But in the final analysis, the younger Dooley is not only the right kind of coach, he is the right kind of MAN that Tennessee needs to lead its football program at this point in history. Tennessee got away from the things that made it great–the fundamental principles of General Neyland–with the hire of Lane Kiffin. It went reaching for something that was totally out of character for the institution hoping to keep pace with the University of Florida and to get back to the top of the SEC.
Tennessee is Robert Neyland, Bowden Wyatt, Doug Dickey, Bill Battle, Johnny Majors, Phillip Fulmer and Peyton Manning. It stands for something fundamental and unchanging. It does not alter its mission and values hoping that talented players will come. It offers talented high school students an opportunity to be part of something special–something bigger than themselves.
Tennessee forgot that for 14 months. With the hiring of Derek Dooley, UT now has a chance to get it back.
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348 comments Add your comment
Coach O
January 19th, 2010
8:30 am
Coaches aren’t players, they aren’t students and they aren’t fans. Coaching is a profession. Loyalty is an important component of one’s character, but it doesn’t always take precedence over other considerations. I am always amused by the incredulous reactions whenever a coach changes jobs. This is how it works people — get used to it.
Those of you who are angry over Lane Kiffin’s departure from Tennessee should be happy to lose this loser. Those of you complaining that Dooley only got the job because of his father’s name should consider the fact that, unlike Kiffin, he doesn’t have to beg his daddy to come along with him and hold his hand.
Dooley was obviously not Tennessee’s first choice. His task will be difficult, because the Tennessee football program is in a shambles that began under Coach Fulmer. That said, he has a chance to succeed. If he does, then he will cement his legacy as a great coach. If he fails, then he will still prove to have been the best possible choice that the university could have made in a desperate situation — much like Mike Shula at Alabama.
Mike knows more about football than anyone posting on this blog and he did have some success at Alabama, but he was in over his head trying to pull Bama out of the ditch as his first HC assignment. Dooley will need some luck in this situation. Talent alone will not get the job done.
Tide Rising
January 19th, 2010
10:53 am
Coach O,
Yep. I would agree that Dooley’s hire reminds me much of the Mike Shula hire. Good guy. Says all the right things. And of course much more football knowledge than anyone on this blog. But still way in over his head. Dooley is going to be going head to head against Saban, Meyer, Richt,etc. Just really hard for me to see him winning any recruiting or on the field battles against guys like that. Still an upgrade over the idiot though.
BARNEYB
January 19th, 2010
11:01 am
Even as a UGA Alumn, let me say Goodspeed to Derek Dooley. It’s about time that UT hired a class act, and got rid of the Punk. Go Dawgs and we’ll see ya soon, Derek! Make us proud, regardless of the outcome!
Shug
January 19th, 2010
11:56 am
I’m glad Derek “he’s his own man” Dooley got his mother’s permission to go into coaching (when he was 27 years old). As someone who’s more partial to UGA and GT [and of course Auburn], I’m also glad that he’ll do for Tennessee what he did for Louisiana Tech. Vols, get used to another half decade or so of mediocrity.
M the sports fan
January 19th, 2010
12:15 pm
UT lucky to get him! My money is that he’ll be a success. Tenn’s had a lot of Georgia talent go their way over the years; now the head man is from the Peach State and A-town to boot!
how2fish
January 19th, 2010
3:06 pm
Shug…just a minute there my friend…last year La Tech lost 7 out of eight games to teams that went to Bowl games…played Auburn,Boise,and LSU among others…I got a feeling he may really pan out..his resume is much better than the Lammer’s coming into UT.
VolinNY
January 19th, 2010
3:45 pm
As a faithful Vol since I was five years old, I am excited to get a coach for the program that has the pedigree that Dooley has. The next few years may be a little rough given the shape that Kiffen left the program. It was a complete joke that he thinks he left the program in better shape than when he got there. He almost destroyed the program.
So who really is to blame? A lot of you want to blame Mike Hamilton and yes he is not the sharpest axe in the woodshed. Really how many chances is this clown going to get. He botched the letting go of a Tennessee legend Phil Fulmer. He then went for glitz and glam with person who no record to speak of and received a glowing recommendation from his former boss. Hey Mike see any glaring sign there that you might should have passed on Kiffy?
If we struggl over the next couple of years then the Tennesse fans needs to just suck it up and not grumble. Much of this mess is the fans fault for wanting Fulmer run out of town on a rail. Wow, a bad season and everyone was calling for his head. Mike Hamilton the weak sheep that he is followed the fans and fired him before the season was over. Fulmer deserved better. That being said, those fans that wanted him out got exactly what they asked for, so they jsut need to suck it up and let Derek Dooley turn the program around.
how2fish
January 19th, 2010
4:01 pm
VolinNY couldn’t agree more best of luck except against UGA !
Vol Maniac
January 19th, 2010
6:08 pm
Mark it down—Dooley knows football! When he gets a roster full of 5 star talent, he’ll be beating florida and bama on a regular basis!!! He can bring Vince in as a consultant—-he had no trouble beating florida back the 70s and 80s!!! The Vols upset Florida in Knoxville: Vols 31 Fla 20!
Reality check
January 19th, 2010
6:49 pm
Vol Maniac,
What kinda koolaid you drinkin? “Dooley knows football” Apparently not too much. He went 17-20 and 4-8 last year. And a moron like you thinks he knows football. He’ll be beating Bama and Florida on a regular basis with all the 5 star talent he’ll bring in? Say again? He’s going to outrecruit Nick Saban and Urban Meyer? 2 guys who have 2 BCS championships each. Vince Dooley is in his 80s, never was much of a coach anyway save for the 3 Herschel years, and he’s more concerned with his passion of gardening and his prize winning rose bushes than anything else. The man hasn’t even coached in 20 something years and an idiot like you thinks he can just step in at 80 and help his son. Man are you stupid as are all these vol fans who think you can hang with Bama or Florida. Keep dreaming and keep drinking that kool aid loser. At least you can look forward to beating the dogs but Bama and Florida. That’s big boy football son. And UT won’t be ready for that kinda football for half a decade. This guy aint got what it takes. End of story.
Reality check
January 19th, 2010
6:53 pm
Volmaniac,
Aint you the same loser who was talking trash bout Lane Kiffin turning UT round with all his 5 star recruits. Last I looked that class which rated well behind Fla, Bammer, LSU, Georgia, AU got even worse as half the class bolted once that imbecile of a coach left. I think your recruiting class is now ranked somewhere around 30. Good luck contending with Florida’s no. 1 class or Bammer’s no. 3 class. Moron.
Jesse James
January 19th, 2010
8:03 pm
Reality Check – Man I am sorry Coach Dooley benched you. You know nothing about what you are talking about. Dooley is in the Hall of Fame, I guess that committee should have asked you. And you showed your ignorance by talking about Derek Dooley being 17 and 20. That is a pretty darn good record considering the shape of La Tech football before he took over. You don’t always judge a coach by wins and losses. A true fan that has alittle knowledge of the game knows what kind of job he has done. As far as Coach Vince Dooley, I watched him beat a Number 1 Texas team in the Cotton Bowl in a game everyone said the Dawgs had no chance of winning. That is just one of many that he won when Herschel wasn’t around. And when he was around he was smart enough to give it to him 25 to 30 times a game. Why don’t you go fine your daddy, Michael Adams, and go up North somewhere. You ain’t Georgians!
Voltastic
January 19th, 2010
9:06 pm
UT vols haters coming out of their trailers in georgia and alabama to trash UT, as usual. No worries—UT will be beating georgia on a regular basis. Dooley will outcoach richt–take it to the bank. Another blowout win coming in 2010!
jojatek
January 19th, 2010
9:16 pm
Vince Dooley is a legend, of course, and the family tree and pedigree are certainly difficult to ignore (particularly with recruits hanging in the balance). However, the head coaching position in Knoxville, I fear, is simply too much too soon for the younger Dooley – and seemingly not the right fit for his background and resume. Derek Dooley is someone who strikes me as being on a “GM” or “AD” track. I’m sure he wants to get this out of his system (fathers and sons… enough said). In the end, however, I would be stunned if he is a long-term solution for Tennessee as a head coach…
DaveO
January 19th, 2010
10:21 pm
Cutcliffe was never offered. He knows it. His staff was the proverbial anchor around his neck. I predict he’ll win the ACC next year. Just kidding.
King Gator
January 20th, 2010
8:10 am
Good hire for the Vols, Kiffin would have landed them on probation and wasn’t going to win the SEC anytime soon. DD will need some time to undo the damage, put his own staff/systems in place and build up the program. Of course if they lose to a Wyoming at home … they’ll be burning matresses in Knoxville and chanting Kiffin or worse. Good luck coach Dooley! Go Gators!
Voldelusional
January 20th, 2010
11:42 am
UT Vol haters in their trailers? How cliche’ can you be? Get real. UT hired a Georgia man. Go tell him that he was raised in a trailer.
At any rate, if I were a UT fan, I’d HOPE that Coach Dooley would be that successful–that quickly. He has a highly daunting task on his hands. My prediction is that with the mess LK left Dooley is going to need 3-5 years to turn things around at UT and they will not give him enough time.
Exciting to see a Dooley in the major college ranks again. Georgia born and bred no less.
@ "Reality Check"
January 20th, 2010
11:47 am
Dooley’s record at LaTech isn’t bad at all when you consider the level of talent he’s had to work with. I’m sure he has forgotten more about football that you’ll ever know.
As far as his father, go do some homework and subtract those “3 Herschel years” you referenced from Dooley’s record and you STILL have an impressive body of work that most coaches and schools would envy. Vince Dooley was–and is a legend in college football.
VolinNY
January 20th, 2010
3:55 pm
You know what is fun about the comments by the UGA goofballs? They will never be able to trash Derek Dooley. They know deep down in their hearts and their simple minds that to trash Derek is to trash Vince. They can sit there and say he is not experienced enough or that his record was 17-20 at La Tech. He had a better record than Kiffy. It doesn’t matter. The Georgia group cannot say anything bad about him. Well at least they shouldn’t it would be a sin to trash Derek and Vince. Uh Oh, gotta go! I have to go drop Kiffen off at the pool. If you know what I mean!
Coach O
January 20th, 2010
6:19 pm
Dawg fans don’t care what Vince thinks…
They just don’t want to get on the wrong side of Barbara.
ckgator
January 20th, 2010
8:43 pm
Dooley is a solid hire and will exceed expectations.
And when he loses (or wins), he will approach it like a man, extend a solid handshake to the opposing coach, and not behave like an a$$ to garner attention.
Im a Gator, but have a lot more respect for UT already.
Go SEC!
Vol Man
January 20th, 2010
9:17 pm
The vols will beat Georgia and Florida—bank on it. With Dooley in charge, richt and meyer will be looking up, wondering what happened. The vols are back!
Jake
January 21st, 2010
8:46 am
Many great coaches came from small colleges before moving up. Ask Bobby B. about this.
Goodbye "Sovereign Immunity"
January 21st, 2010
10:34 am
Well, looks like the Decory Bryant case just got a lot more interesting.
Seems a Texas State District Judge just ruled that Texas Tech University…DOES NOT…have the “Sovereign Immuity” protection of the State of Texas which would have protected Texas Tech against a lawsuit in the case of Mike Leach vs. Texas Tech. That means Leach can now LEGALLY & DIRECTLY sue Texas Tech University and the Texas Teach Athletic Association.
The Clarke County Judge recently dismissed the Bryant vs UGA-AA case on the same dubious
(and fradulent) “Soveriegn Immunity” basis.
As a legally distinct, revenue-generating, non-profit corporation, the UGA-AA is not “an arm of the State’ and protected by “Sovereign Immunity” as the Clarke County Judge described. The State of Texas just trashed any argument or legal basis of “Sovereign Immunity.”
The Bryant case will now has LEGAL PRCEDENT to move forward and strip the UGA-AA of any legal protection under the bogus “Sovereign Immunity” defense.
Texas just GUARANTEED that the UGA-AA will lose the Bryant case.
And, the UGA-AA is going to lose: HUGE !!
Coach O
January 21st, 2010
3:41 pm
Not that anyone (besides yourself) really cares, but judicial rulings in the state of Texas have no bearing whatsoever upon legal proceedings in the state of Georgia.
How bad must your favorite team be for you to be obsessed with posting this kind of crap on a football blog?
Georgia Volunteer
January 21st, 2010
3:43 pm
Not a bad hire…..not bad at all….wait and see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UGA lawyer
January 21st, 2010
11:28 pm
UGA can beat the rap on any claim against them. We’ve got the top lawyers in the area—-from the best law schools. This bryant case will get dismissed—bank on it!
heartofdarkness
January 22nd, 2010
8:22 am
The thinking here is the SEC has found its Buffalo Bills, and Buffalo may have found its new publicist. Tennessee has just had its “Titanic” moment, when the captain asks his lookout what that dark shape is off the starboard bow, and Mr. Barnhart steps forward to announce the ship is pulling alongside because the bar was running short on ice.
The jokester
January 22nd, 2010
9:48 am
Derek Dooley? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahaha!
Son of Vince Dooley? Vince Dooley???Hahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahaha
Maybe Vince can teach young Derek about his passion for gardening and his prize winning rosebushes. HAhahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahahahahah! What kind of a real man has a passion for gardening and enters gardening competitions? Vince Dooley. That’s who. Hahahahahahahahahahahahah
lawzoo
January 22nd, 2010
3:18 pm
He’s no Tommy West.
wxwax
January 22nd, 2010
5:26 pm
Tennessee will be looking for a new coach in three years, maybe less.
All the hatred for Kiffin obscures the fact that they made a rushed, desperation hire. I hope Dooley works out, but nothing in his record suggests he’s ready for this job.
Mark
January 22nd, 2010
6:33 pm
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Great article on Derek Dooley of Vols « david white
January 22nd, 2010
7:58 pm
[...] By Tony Barnhart of Atlanta Journal-Constitution Football / Comments (0) / make a comment [...]
SuperB
January 23rd, 2010
1:57 pm
Good article. Derek seems like a very good man. However, that is not a prerequisite for being a head coach in the SEC. If it was– we’d have at least 3 new head coaches next year.
SuperB
January 23rd, 2010
2:00 pm
To the Jokester: What kind of man has a passion for gardening (Vince Dooley?) A wealthy, retired man with 201 career victories– that’s who!
DawgVoiceofReason
January 24th, 2010
12:43 am
Tony,
I would like to see you devote a blog to answering “Michael Smith”’s question from January 16th, 2010 7:21 am. Specifically, when is it ever ethical or showing integrity to leave a head coaching job prior to the end of a contract? I know that legally coaches can (they usually have buy out clauses), but I too am interested in how can it ever be justified. Start from the premise that the coach has NOT told either his recruits or players that he is planning to or considering leaving.
But, I don’t just want your off the cuff opinion. I would like for you to interview AD’s, coaches and players (don’t mean to sound like your assignment editor, lol). This topic deserves dicussion. I find it hypocritcal when commentators condemn certain coaches for leaving (e.g. the Cinncinati coach going to ND or Lane Kiffin leaving Tenn for USC) but then suggesting current coaches as replacements for same. Not saying you did this, but it happens all the time.
Coach O
January 24th, 2010
2:31 pm
I find it fairly obvious that most folks see a move to a higher ranking position or a more prominent program to be defensible, while choosing to make a more “lateral” move offers less justification for prematurely terminating a contract.
That said, those who become emotional about coaches changing jobs tend to have little concern for contractual law and instead berate the coach for a lack of “loyalty” to his players and fans.
Coach O
January 24th, 2010
3:20 pm
“Specifically, when is it ever ethical or showing integrity to leave a head coaching job prior to the end of a contract?”
That would be when the university fires the coach. Loyalty, it seems, is a one way street for many fans.
ATLVOL55
January 25th, 2010
1:19 pm
As a TN fan, I will admit, I’m not too thrilled with the hire…However, I will support coach Dooley with everything. I hope I am wrong. Only time will tell whether or not this works out, but I will say I have been very impressed with him….seems like a lot of integrity and a nice guy.
Go Vols
ATLVOL55
January 25th, 2010
1:21 pm
P.S. Very good article Tony
No1orange
January 26th, 2010
1:56 am
CDD will do good at UT for several reasons,he is a class act and a decent person, he has a great work ethic and is very good organizer. Sure, he will make mistakes as we all do and will learn from them. As long as he does things for the right reasons the fans will support him. He is already doing better than we expected in salvaging a recruting class and we may even make the top 10 in recruting and guess what, NO MINOR NCAA infractions as we had with CLK. CLK has already had one at USC. He showed up at the airport in a limo to pick up a prospect,imagine that. Good luck to Coach Dooley and the staff. GBO
David
January 26th, 2010
8:51 am
Dooley probably got the job because of his dad. I think the job is to big for him. You can’t win in the SEC just because your dad is Vince. His record is not exactly brilliant. I hope I am wrong, nice guy.
ga gator
January 26th, 2010
9:39 am
Come on Tony, this is SEC country! You ought to be able to post something on here everyday. I am surprised you haven’t had a comment on the Tim Tebow Superbowl Ad on CBS>
whiteonrice04
January 26th, 2010
10:22 am
“Actually he has done a lot more than his Daddy did when UGA turned the reins over to him. That worked out OK.”
I am so tired of people throwing his Dad’s name out there. He is not a clone of his father. Just because his dad was a good coach there is no guarantee that he will be. He has proven nothing. He has a worse winning percentage at La Tech then the coach before him. He was .44 and the guy before him was .45. So he made an already terrible WAC team worse. What a coaching career. You can always judge a coach by how they do compared to the coach before them and Derek failed that test.
The fact that your dad was a great coach is not a part of your resume. IT WAS HIS DAD, NOT HIM.
Hammerhead
January 26th, 2010
10:28 am
Back off of Tony.
Just because he posts here weekly, doesn’t mean jack.
Maybe he doesn’t think much is going on right now in the SEC.
He could have writers block.
Or he could be on vacation.
Be a little more sensitive people.
Hello.
Coach O
January 26th, 2010
1:20 pm
David
January 26th, 2010
8:51 am
Dooley probably got the job because of his dad. I think the job is to big for him. You can’t win in the SEC just because your dad is Vince. His record is not exactly brilliant. I hope I am wrong, nice guy.
I’m amazed that a Tennessee fan would say something like this about Dooley immediately after Kiffin Junior’s departure. The Vols are lucky that he agreed to take the job. He’s the best coach you could have gotten under the circumstances — regardless of who his Daddy happens to be.
Vol Man
January 26th, 2010
2:11 pm
Dooley will fool everyone, pull some upsets and win 8 games in 2010—mark it down!
Vandy Fan
January 26th, 2010
5:17 pm
8 wins and Vandy will win 10. Very wishful thinking. We know very little about his man’s ability to be successful and we won’t know for a minimum of 3 years. Vol nation needs to be patient.
I do think it was important to hire someone with HC experience. The SEC is not the best conference for on the job training. Good luck.
Delusions of grandeur
January 26th, 2010
10:01 pm
Vol man, UT will win 8 games in 2010 and we can “mark it down”.
You are a delusional fool extraordinaire.
Dagny
January 27th, 2010
4:18 pm
“Former UGA defensive lineman Chris Terry arrested in Kentucky.”
Once a thug, always a thug. No end to it, is there?