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Sources say Dooley out, announcement pending

by freak on November 11, 2012 in Vols Football

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As expected, the Derek Dooley era at Tennessee is over.

After last night’s dramatic 51-48 four-overtime home loss to Missouri, multiple sources are reporting that the decision to fire Derek Dooley has been made. The only remaining question at this point is the timing of the official announcement.

Per Chis Low of ESPN:

But Tennessee has gone from a top-tier program that had obviously dipped toward the end of Phillip Fulmer’s tenure to a program now that’s totally irrelevant. There really is no decision now for Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart. The only question is if he’ll announce that he’s making a coaching change this week or the next.

 

With two SEC games remaining on Tennessee’s schedule and a bowl birth still mathematically possible, the timing may hinge on the next loss or the end of the regular season—whichever comes first.

During his tenure at Tennessee thus far, Derek Dooley is a meager 4-18 in Southeastern Conference play, winning just one of his last 14 conference games.

Join the “Dooley has been fired” discussion in the VolNation forums.

 

UPDATE: From Larry Fleming of Chattanoogan.com.

Reports began floating out of Knoxville on Sunday afternoon that the decision to dismiss Dooley had been made. Dooley will be allowed to coach the Vols’ final two games against Vanderbilt and Kentucky.

CBSports.com’s Bruce Feldman wrote Sunday that Tennessee will fire Dooley, but that “there are still some issues the school is trying to sort out” before it makes the move official.

Feldman referenced the volquest.com report that the decision has been made and “the only question is when the school will make the announcement.”

Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart was meeting with the team as the reports began filtering out through various sources.

    Latest commit: Georgia defensive lineman Joe Sanders

    by freak on November 8, 2012 in Vols Football Recruiting

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    Tennessee picked up its 19th commitment for the class of 2013 on Wednesday when Georgia defensive lineman Joe Sanders committed to Coach Derek Dooley.

    “I committed tonight because I had it made up in my mind that I wanted to go to Tennessee,” Sanders told the AJC. “I liked the atmosphere, the coaches, and how they push you once you’re down there.”

    “I’ve heard things, but I haven’t really looked into it,” Sanders said when asked about the Derek Dooley rumors. “Coach Dooley hasn’t said anything about that (the topic), so it doesn’t mean that much.”

    Listed around 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, Sanders projects as a pass rushing defensive end in Tennessee’s 3-4 defense and is the third defensive lineman to commit in this class (Ben Bradley, Jason Carr).

    Sanders attended summer camp at Tennessee and plans to make an unofficial visit to Knoxville this weekend for the Vols’ matchup against Missouri, which will be his first game day experience at Neyland Stadium.

    His other offers include: Colorado, Indiana, Vanderbilt, UCF, Alabama St., South Alabama, and Western Kentucky.

    Sanders was recruited primarily by Derrick Ansley  and is considering a possible early enrollment at Tennessee.

     

    RECRUITING SERVICE RATINGS:

    ESPN: 3-star, No. 91 in GA, Scouts Grade of 76

    24/7:  3-star,  No. 96 in GA

    Scout: 2-star

    Rivals: not rated (likely not evaluated) [click here to continue…]

      Cuonzo Martin and Holly Warlick from SEC Media Days (video)

      by freak on October 26, 2012 in Vols Basketball

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      Tennessee men’s basketball coach Cuonzo Martin and women’s basketball coach Holly Warlick were in Hoover, Alabama on Thursday to discuss their respective programs with the media during SEC Media Days.

       

      Cuonzo Martin:

      Holly Warlick:

        South Carolina. SEC Media Days. Jon Gruden

        by freak on October 25, 2012 in Vols Football

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        Is there any other topic of conversation right now among Vol fans besides Jon Gruden?

        Do the Vols still have a game on Saturday against the villain Steve “you can’t spell Citrus without U-T” Spurrier and his South Carolina Gamecocks?

        Is today really SEC Basketball Media Days in Hoover, Alabama where Vols basketball coach Cuonzo Martin will meet with the media this afternoon?

        Did Jeronne Maymon suffer a setback yesterday from his offseason his knee surgery?

        Apparently nothing else matters besides Jon Gruden, so let’s talk about it.

        In case you missed it yesterday (which I sincerely doubt) the rumors of Jon Gruden and Tennessee reached a fever pitch. We’ve had “Official Jon Gruden threads” on VolNation dating back to mid-September, but yesterday it was posted in the forums that an agreement has been reached.

        How could an agreement be in place when Tennessee already has a coach?

        That’s a great question and I don’t have the answer.

        Are any of the rumors true?

        I suppose that depends on which of the seemingly thousands of rumors you are referencing, but my answer to them all is: “I don’t know.”

        Keep in mind, things that are posted on the message board don’t reflect news that VolNation is “reporting”.

        So you can stop sending me emails and texts (the one’s asking about Gruden) because I don’t know. I do, however, still welcome all emails and texts on any other subject.

        I will pass along that Jimmy Hyams, who tends to be very conservative with his reporting, said this about Gruden yesterday afternoon on Sports Talk.

        “I do believe that Jon Gruden has talked to some coaches in an effort to put together his staff. The question is: is he doing that for the collegiate level or the NFL level? But I do believe that he has talked to some coaches with the intent to put together a staff to get back into coaching, in spite what he is making at Monday Night Football.”

         

        For the record, I think it’s unlikely that Derek Dooley returns as Tennessee’s coach next season. Anyone paying attention can see that. I also believe there is too much smoke to dismiss the idea that contact has been made with Gruden’s camp and some level of mutual interest exists.

        But beyond that, consider me a skeptic. It’s not that I doubt the validity of the various reports that have surfaced, I’m just too old and easily disappointed to count chickens before they are hatched. Call me after the press conference and I’ll gladly sing Rocky Top with you, help you taunt Bama fans, and watch old highlights of the Tampa Bay Bucs Super Bowl season until the sun comes up.

        Until then, I’m looking forward to Saturday’s matchup against South Carolina.

        Go Vols!

          ZJC’s Tennessee Basketball Preview

          by Zack on October 23, 2012 in Vols Basketball

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          Year one of the Cuonzo Martin is over. It had some ups and down, but overall it was a good season that showed much improvement from the team throughout the year, despite the tough, late season ending. Tennessee has improved as a program, and expected to finish in the top four in the SEC rankings by the media, along with being in the NCAA tournament. We have five questions to answer for Tennessee basketball this year. I’m here to answer them for the “Unofficial Volnation 2012-2013 Basketball Preview”.

          1. “Tennessee’s offense was very inconsistent last year. Will it improve?”

          Tennessee’s offense was average last year, sixth in the SEC in points per 100 possessions. This year they should be better. This is year two of the motion offense. Much like a 3-4 defense in football, when you change to a motion offense, there are struggles because it’s a read and react offense. There aren’t a lot of sets play. It’s about what the defense gives you. UT had only one senior that contributed last year in Cameron Tatum. It was going to be a major work in progress with such a young team. The team (especially PG Trae Golden) has stated the team is much more comfortable in the offense. Also, the team has Jarnell Stokes for a full offseason. He’s going to really help down low and help open up the offense. [click here to continue…]

            Why I Hate the Alabama Crimson Tide

            by freak on October 18, 2012 in Vols Football

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            Oct 22, 2011; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dont'a Hightower (30) pursues Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Matt Simms (12) at Bryant Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE

            This post has been a VolNation tradition over the years. Every year, during Bama week, we typically try to bump or link it on the forums. The rant was originally written around 1999 by an unknown author, but I believe it’s mostly still relevant—for me at least. As I recall, I found the post on a Tennessee Vols listserv (anyone remember those?) around that time and it made quite the impression. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. WARNING: if you have a short attention span, this may not be for you.

            Oh, and if you happen to be the author of this classic piece, I’d love to hear from you.

            Also, you might want to check the blog post on the 1982 Tennessee Alabama game from exactly thirty years ago (has it really been that long?). Miracles do sometimes happen.

            [click here to continue…]

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