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
Tron Carter
January 27th, 2010
6:12 pm
Syed Haris Ahmed (proud Georgia Tech student) convicted of conspiring to provide material support to terrorism in the United States and abroad.
Once a school for terrorists, always a school for terrorists.
The Ramblin Wreck from Jihad Tech
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
January 27th, 2010
6:26 pm
is a Jihad a holy war..??? or a dude from Saudi Arabia..???
DamntheButcher
January 27th, 2010
11:31 pm
This article has been posted for over a week. Can’t the AJC get story up more than every 10 days? What a joke.
Coach O
January 28th, 2010
9:13 am
What has happened in CFB in the past ten days that warrants discussion?
Mat-T
January 30th, 2010
8:44 am
Enjoyed the article and very relieved, as a UT fan, that the past 14 months are behind us. I am prepared to fall a few notches in the upcoming years based on current events, but I don’t think my average fellow fan will accept anything less than being in contention for an SEC title most years. Still, at the end of the day Dooley should do great things, we respect his father’s accomplishments greatly, and are very excited to have him as a VOL! GO BIG ORANGE!
Delusions of grandeur
January 30th, 2010
2:10 pm
Mat-T,
“At the end of the day Dooley should do great things” ? Are you serious? Going up against Saban, Meyer, Spurrier, and a lot of other good seasoned coaches. Are you kidding? This kid is in way over his head and got the job because of his name. His 4-8 record last year and 17-20 overall record speaks for itself. You guys are sunk for the next 5 years. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA
jdl2
January 31st, 2010
10:16 am
How long has this freakin’ article been on page one of the sports page? enough already. there’s fresher content on espn classic than this rag.
Derek Dooley
January 31st, 2010
10:38 am
I’m bringing my 4-8 record last year to UT and I will rule! We will improve to at least 5-7. Book it!!!!!
Derek Dooley
January 31st, 2010
10:39 am
And another thing. I will dominate Nick Saban and Urban Meyer and nab every 2 star recruit I want right out from underneath them.
ckgator
January 31st, 2010
8:16 pm
Off topic, the Hershel MMA photos are disturbing. Really – this is what a Heisman winner becomes? Someone to flaunt in front of the public…. to watch pummel an obvious patsy?
I hope Tebow never does anything like this (not worried that he will).
KD
January 31st, 2010
10:02 pm
Good stuff Mr. College Football.
Yellow Fuzz
February 1st, 2010
2:35 pm
It’s great that Jeff Whitaker just chose Auburn over the dogs. Rumour has it that Outback Steakhouse gave him a lot of gift certificates to chose them. And lastly, and almost as funny, is that Miami was actually his second choice ahead of his home state school. Told you everyone is SICK of the obnoxiuos dog fans. Nobody wants to be playing and see half of the stadium get up and leave in the 4th qtr when your down by six points! Hahhahahahahaha
Yellow Fuzz
February 1st, 2010
3:10 pm
Good call
http://uga.fandome.com/video/76588/Jasper-Sanks-Fumble/
Matt
February 1st, 2010
7:17 pm
Hey, T, What do you think about Andy Staples’ column on SI.com about Obama and the DOJ going after the BCS as violators of antitrust law? Should we get our hopes up only to have the presidents of the universities shoot them down again? Or is this different as Staples seems to argue?
sambad
February 1st, 2010
9:07 pm
DD will be a great coach and will put together a great program. Anyone with a mother as smart as Barbara will have to be a success.
Tony Bonehead
February 2nd, 2010
10:58 am
Now if I can just get Georgia to hire a head coach of substance we can begin the rebuilding process instead of waiting another year. Its really painful to sit through these underachieving years.
Let get a new head coach and get started now!
Red Dog 77
February 2nd, 2010
9:00 pm
Tony…….You are an outstanding writer, I love your style, content and the way you often ‘tweek’ the reader……But Tony for the love of football……write a new story, please !!!! This one has been starring at us for what a month ? Regards, RED
Jack Carroll
February 2nd, 2010
11:35 pm
Tony, I am a Vols fan living in Ga and have read your articles for a long time. This is one of your better ones. Dooley is exactly what Tn needs right now and the way I see it we were lucky to have gotten him. Everyone won’t agree with me but time will tell and I believe he is going to do well at Tn and will find himself a home there. He will have a better 1st year than Kiffin had.
FLA DAWG
February 3rd, 2010
9:36 am
A great article Tony.
I wish Derek D and UT well (until The Dawgs play them!).
It’s going to be interesting to see a Dooley vs Richt Game – you have to know that Vince will be giving the young man some advice.
Joe
February 3rd, 2010
4:07 pm
Write something else, or take your headline off the site. We’re all getting tired of seeing the same thing for almost 3 weeks. This is a NEWspaper!!!!
winterDawg
February 4th, 2010
1:30 pm
Well, he’s not an alumni so that’s a bonus. They tend to run their legends out when they either or recovering from a heart attack or having an off year. Then again, since he’s not a part of the family what might they do to him if he struggles. Hopefully, he can get a better job offer next year. Maybe LSU will be knocking!
singndablues
February 4th, 2010
6:52 pm
How many months is the AJC going to leave this up? This topic is so old it’s growing mold……..
Red Dog 77
February 5th, 2010
12:51 am
Dadgummitt Barnhart…….Take this stale, moth eatin story down !!!!!!!! We love ya and all Tony, but just damn son, TAKE IT DOWN….Regards, RED
ChokeByChoke
February 5th, 2010
11:12 am
we won the Shreveport bowl and then recruited accordingly.
David Granger
February 5th, 2010
1:23 pm
One thing’s for sure, Tony….Derek sure saved UT’s recruiting efforts this year. You can tell he’s a hard worker.
Dagny
February 5th, 2010
8:38 pm
Will Derek set up a “developmental studies program” like Vince did so that UT can admit morons and illiterates? Inquiring minds are wondering…
Dagny
February 5th, 2010
8:39 pm
Yes, ChokeByChoke, UGA went to Shreveport. S-H-R-E-V-E-P-O-R-T.
Get used to it as long as Richt is in charge.
ChokeByChoke
February 6th, 2010
7:00 am
Dagny,
Hahahaha. You guys will just wear down the guy that follows Richt. When are you AH’s gonna figure it out, the problem is YOU the fan base!
How many recruits and potential defensive coordinators have to tell you no before you realize your program ain’t that attractive any more. Instead of uncondintional support, now you guys criticize every wrong decision they make and even file for the exits early. Life is short. Who needs you azzholes anyhow.
oldfart
February 6th, 2010
9:38 am
I think Lewis Grizzard has filed a more recent column than this one.
Bill
February 6th, 2010
10:03 am
Tony….Its time for a NEW REPORT! This is old News.
Brian
February 6th, 2010
1:49 pm
I wonder how much the ajc pays this guy to do nothing from jan-sept.
justin
February 7th, 2010
1:05 pm
Tony,
Do you retract this article after the shady recruitment of Darick Rogers & Nash Nance..? I would if i were you and if you dug into this situation at all…tks.
.
February 7th, 2010
11:28 pm
Tony must have got fired…..vacation….are just lazy?
Richard Dawson
February 8th, 2010
9:11 am
I’m just glad AJC is keeping this 3-week-old article linked on the front page of the ’sports’ section. It’s just great to read this article every day.
Lakedawg
February 8th, 2010
10:06 am
How long is this article going to stay posted ?
A very good question...
February 8th, 2010
11:08 am
How did Da’Rick Rogers end up with a brand new car after switching to Tennessee on signing day?
Chuck Uga
February 8th, 2010
11:20 am
Tony,
The UGA-UT rivalry is at a fever pitch. I fell sorry for Vince and Barbara, but the owrst thing that could happen to the UGA/Dooley relationship is the hiring of Derek. Either Richt (who Vince hired) or Derek (Vince’s son) won’t make it. Of course, I hope it’s Derek although it pains me to say that. This could be very bad. Richt himself must beat UT in 2010 (a foregone conclusion) or risk being fired. That my friend is from a major booster’s mouth. Richt was hired to beat Tennessee and Florida at least 50% of the time. Since that isn’t going to happen with Florida, he has to dominate UT, not lose 3 of 4 in blowouts. Let’s hope he at least can prepare his team for a very mediocre UT team in 2010.
Chuck Uga
February 8th, 2010
11:20 am
Typing fast and not proof-reading is bad(!)
oldfart
February 9th, 2010
7:06 pm
Hey AJC, how ’bout put Dave O’Brien’s Braves blog in this ones place until Fall. Spring training is near and this one is dead.
ga gator
February 9th, 2010
9:20 pm
Tony, wake up!!
Yellow Fuzz
February 10th, 2010
8:48 am
This just in. The G-Day game originally scheduled for April 10th has been changed to April 1st for obvious reasons.
Don Gill
February 10th, 2010
9:40 am
Hey, Tony. When are you going to write a new column?
Coach O
February 21st, 2010
12:00 pm
Browsed across some basketball on ESPN yesterday. Seems that the ACC’s recent effort at trying to become a football conference has taken a toll on their established basketball superiority. Maybe you guys should just pick one sport and stick to it?
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March 4th, 2010
6:31 am
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TONY DICKBREATH.
March 7th, 2010
2:11 pm
The one and only…..
March 7th, 2010
2:01 pm
Thats true.
The falcons no longer excite the community. Every one is still waiting for them to do right by mike. The city wants him back, but like the AJC, its clear that the rednecks run the state and Author fired a blank against racism. I guess he doesnt understand that the falcons could win a superbowl tomorrow and the city still, would not be behind them like they are with Michael. Michael would consistantly sellout the dome so its not about money or the most talented, with Blank and the rednecks, its about race.
Ive been a falcon fan all my concious life, but I dont wear my jersey’s anymore nor get excited about the team. I now see them for what they are worth.
On a side note, the police who shoot and kill black children are often freed. They cite “just doing my job” or “I thought he had a gun, how did I know it was a wallet” Well a-hole your que should have been when you asked for I D.
But the real question is, why dont these “accidents” happen in the white communities? Where is the equal ratio of white kids who got shot in the back because their wallets were mistaken for guns?
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