Derek Dooley: I'M NOT LANE KIFFIN!!!

by cocknfire on Jan 15, 2010 11:52 PM EST in SEC Football

He didn't put it in quite so many words, but anyone who watched Friday night's introduction of Derek Dooley as the new Tennessee head coach could clearly see that he was trying to make it clear that he was no Boy Wonder clone.

From my notes:

I'm not going to sell this program and what we're about to do in a sound byte. It's impossible.

I have a lot of respect for this league. I have a lot of respect for the coaches in this league, and I'm going to conduct myself in that manner.

If you're going to look for sound bytes and things like that from me that's going to attack other people or disparage programs, that's not me.

Mike Hamilton, for his part, seemed almost entranced by Dooley's organization and time management skills. That seemed like slightly odd praise, though LSU fans might tell you that time management skills are an underrated positive in a head coach. Tennessee best hope that the most telling signs of the Dooley era come from the coach's own remarks -- and not from the man who hired him.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Between the Dooley hiring and Georgia agreeing to terms with new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, the high-profile jobs in the conference are closed and most of the news that's been made in the immediate offseason has been made. Sprints will take a week off and return on Monday, Jan. 25.

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You have to admit...

That Dooley’s reticence to run his mouth until he’s proven anything is kind of refreshing after a year of violations, promises to beat highly ranked rivals, and shirtless Wild Boys.

Garnet and Black Attack: A Blog by and for Gamecocks Fans.

by Gamecock Man on Jan 16, 2010 12:13 AM EST reply actions

Even though I hate UT

I almost feel like a Dolley fan already just for those comments. Please Dolley do something for me to dislike you…Except for beat Florida. lol

"I meant to misspell that word, just observing who would correct me."

by Hook85 on Jan 16, 2010 12:38 AM EST reply actions

Dooley*

"I meant to misspell that word, just observing who would correct me."

by Hook85 on Jan 16, 2010 12:38 AM EST up reply actions

UT has another good reason for 7-6 and winning some moral victories the next couple of years

by pLANEolG8RB8 on Jan 16, 2010 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

Dooley

Is a class act and a good choice for UT to follow Kiffin.

I doubt he’ll provide bulletin board material for opponents.

Like father like son. I remember in the early 80s when Coach Dooley (along with that Herschel guy) was leading UGA to SEC titles. Before playing even the most overmatched opponent, he would come up with some reason why UGA couldn’t take the team lightly. I remember one time before playing Vandy (I think), Dooley remarked about how great a punting game Vandy had….they had one of the best punters in the nation, and that punts could be the difference in games. I think UGA won by 40 or so. Vandy did have lots of punts though.

by skigator93 on Jan 18, 2010 11:32 AM EST up reply actions

Vince came from the same school as Bryant

The school of downplaying your team and lauding the opponent. That is a rare thing these days.

I am of two minds on this hire. I hate that they hired Dooley because now I will not be able to blast them for their coach. At the same time, I do respect UT, just not their last two coaches, it will be nice to also respect their coach.

Auburn and Tennessee fans are a lot like Slinkys...neither are worth much but you do get a sense of satisfaction from pushing them down a flight of stairs

by bamachine on Jan 19, 2010 2:13 AM EST up reply actions