Why? Because the Tennessee nation won't give him time to. Most reasonable fans would expect UT to go somewhere around 6-6 or 7-5 this fall. This will create an extremely important year 2 in 2011, but the talent deficiency will be nowhere near addressed, especially along both lines, and UT will once again struggle with a ridiculous consecutive slate beginning on Sept 10:
Cincy
UNC
Florida
UGA
LSU
Bama
Carolina
Predict victories in this stretch all you want, but the reality is UT will be out-talented by at least 5 of these squads, and will be lucky to go 4-3. There is little chance much will change by then, and UT will most likely find themselves around the .500 mark again. Of course, a storm of expectations for year 3 under Dooley, particularly if Florida and Bama continue to have ultra success like they most likely will. Fans will become impatient, and demand significant improvement in 2012. The Florida game at home that fall will be elevated to epic status, and will be a must-win game for DD. Lose that one, and the following Bama visit becomes the next epic....win or he will probably be gone. Both are at home and will certainly be winnable by then, but I hate that it will come down to that....and make no mistake, if the rest of the above occurs for the most part, it will come down to that.
I personally think Dooley will do his job well. The program will improve, kids will act right, results will improve gradually...but the talent will remain below the elite level. If given 5-6 years, I believe he would bring the Vols back to the top of the SEC. But, it's hard to blame the fanbase when you consider what it has suffered through already since 2005. It would be hard to sit and wait with 3 more mediocre/disapointing seasons on top of it. This reminds me so much of a Shula or Zook scenario, it's incredible. No, the tea leaves don't read too well on this one, in my opinion, mostly due to what will occur on the field over the next 2 seasons. 2012 will bring about the drumbeat for big success or change....and I don't expect it to turn out well. Flame away and throw stones at me all you want, but do me a favor....remember this post when Dooley is right around .500 overall after 2 years and 2012 is setting up as a make-or-break season for him.
Best of luck to Coach Dooley. Around here for the next few years, he's probably gonna need it.
Cincy
UNC
Florida
UGA
LSU
Bama
Carolina
Predict victories in this stretch all you want, but the reality is UT will be out-talented by at least 5 of these squads, and will be lucky to go 4-3. There is little chance much will change by then, and UT will most likely find themselves around the .500 mark again. Of course, a storm of expectations for year 3 under Dooley, particularly if Florida and Bama continue to have ultra success like they most likely will. Fans will become impatient, and demand significant improvement in 2012. The Florida game at home that fall will be elevated to epic status, and will be a must-win game for DD. Lose that one, and the following Bama visit becomes the next epic....win or he will probably be gone. Both are at home and will certainly be winnable by then, but I hate that it will come down to that....and make no mistake, if the rest of the above occurs for the most part, it will come down to that.
I personally think Dooley will do his job well. The program will improve, kids will act right, results will improve gradually...but the talent will remain below the elite level. If given 5-6 years, I believe he would bring the Vols back to the top of the SEC. But, it's hard to blame the fanbase when you consider what it has suffered through already since 2005. It would be hard to sit and wait with 3 more mediocre/disapointing seasons on top of it. This reminds me so much of a Shula or Zook scenario, it's incredible. No, the tea leaves don't read too well on this one, in my opinion, mostly due to what will occur on the field over the next 2 seasons. 2012 will bring about the drumbeat for big success or change....and I don't expect it to turn out well. Flame away and throw stones at me all you want, but do me a favor....remember this post when Dooley is right around .500 overall after 2 years and 2012 is setting up as a make-or-break season for him.
Best of luck to Coach Dooley. Around here for the next few years, he's probably gonna need it.
lol:
