Like him or not, Derek Dooley deserves respect

#1
volfan2024

volfan2024

“Wanna play ball scarecrow “
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#1
Anyone stepping into the Vols hornet's nest, a much-heralded program on the down spiral, at least is owed by all Vol fans respect for trying to right the wrong. Agree? He may just turn this thing around which would be historical to say the least.
 
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#3
#3
He took a significant career risk to get a big time gig a few years before he could have otherwise... assuming he'd succeeded at LT.
 
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#4
#4
I know this will get taken the wrong way, but I don't respect Coach Dooley because he was hired to do a job. It was a good opportunity for him so he took it.

What I respect about him is that I believe he a good man that works as hard as he can. Whether or not he makes it here, that's what I respect about him.
 
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#6
#6
Why people think he took a risk is baffling. He hit the lottery with this gig. We have to hope he can be successful.
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#8
#8
can't wait for 8-31 to get here,,,,have to listen on the radio, RD vs Smyrna game, daughter cheers for RD, so can't watch it live. gonna record it and watch UT dominate!
 
#9
#9
Let's be real candid. Lots of the reason he was hired was because he was Vince Dooley's son ! Now, it is time to prove his worth as a self made coach. Not relying on his namesake ! So far, I honestly think he has proved himself as an equal to any coach in terms of recruiting. Especially with a program that has not seen success in many years. We cannot continue to rely on what happened 10 years ago to be successful in the future. I continue to feely Dooley is on the right track.
 
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#10
#10
thebjd said:
Why people think he took a risk is baffling. He hit the lottery with this gig. We have to hope he can be successful.
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I tend to agree with this assessment. He was at La Tech or wherever when he came here. He has a good year this year, has another good recruiting class, and follows with a good year next season and he'll get his contract AND have the fan base on his side....well, at least most of it.

If he doesn't succeed here, he'll get another gig at a La Tech type school. No downside for Dooley.
 
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#11
#11
thebjd said:
Why people think he took a risk is baffling. He hit the lottery with this gig. We have to hope he can be successful.
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Kidding, right? The program was set up for failure. Terrible roster, two weeks from NSD, looming NCAA problems, tarnished image, poor instate recruiting base with relationship problems at schools that produce talent like Brentwood, incredibly tough schedule for the first two years... and the likelihood that he would only get 3 years before fans demanded the turnaround be complete.

His option was to stay at LT. After their performance this year, he would have been credited with a great turnaround, impressive resume, and been in line for a better gig... a big program without the problems.
 
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#13
#13
thebjd said:
Why people think he took a risk is baffling. He hit the lottery with this gig. We have to hope he can be successful.
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I think you have to realize the extent of how bad off this program was. Tennessee is a grand slam coaching job for anyone, but no one would take it. Why? No one would take the job because any coach with common sense would look at this program and say "that's a 5 year rebuilding job but if by year 3 I'm not winning I could end up on the hot seat".

It is a risk for Dooley. If you get fired for inability to produce wins on the field it's not easy to turn around and bag another coaching job. The problem is, taking the UT head coaching job is putting yourself in a position where you're more than likely not going to produce wins in your first few years so you're going out on a limb.

Yes I respect Dooley for taking this job.
 
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#14
#14
Many are hoping for his success, but as each season passes the doubters grow more.
 
#16
#16
sjt18 said:
If he fails... will he ever get another shot? Doubtful. So he took a program that no top shelf coach wanted with HUGE problems and risked never being a HC again. Yep, risk.
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Muschamp didn't want any part of it...
 
#17
#17
I don't think he took a risk. Sure, some coaches didn't want to touch it and may have felt a personal risk, but this wasn't really risky for him. He would have had to be a fool not to, if his desire was to be a HC in the sec.
 
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#18
#18
thebjd said:
Why people think he took a risk is baffling. He hit the lottery with this gig. We have to hope he can be successful.
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Absolutely.

The main risk for him was hurting his back carrying his paychecks to the bank. It was an offer he couldn't refuse (cue Godfather voice)- a win/win for him. He succeeds and has an insanely high paying job for a long time or he sucks and still makes out like a bandit. He's getting paid $2 million/year to coach at a historically top 10 program. Even if he is fired after this year, he's received roughly $6 million in salary and will get $5 million in buyout money. $11 million for 3 years work, not dependent on success mind you- that's not risky. Hell, if he were fired after the first year, he would have made $7 million for that. I fail to see very much risk in having enough money to never work again even if you absolutely suck and are canned in less than a year's time. That has no-brainer and jackpot written all over it.
 
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#19
#19
SlyStone said:
Many are hoping for his success, but as each season passes the doubters grow more.
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That's the point. He took over a terribly down program looking at an incredibly rough schedule knowing patience would be short.
 
#20
#20
sjt18 said:
Kidding, right? The program was set up for failure. Terrible roster, two weeks from NSD, looming NCAA problems, tarnished image, poor instate recruiting base with relationship problems at schools that produce talent like Brentwood, incredibly tough schedule for the first two years... and the likelihood that he would only get 3 years before fans demanded the turnaround be complete.

His option was to stay at LT. After their performance this year, he would have been credited with a great turnaround, impressive resume, and been in line for a better gig... a big program without the problems.
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$7 million MINIMUM- even if he was fired after the last regular season game of his first year. Your 3 year apocalyptic scenario would still pay him $11 millionish.

Win, you're a hero with money. Lose and you still have enough money to never have to work again. Where's the risk?
 
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#21
#21
sjt18 said:
If he fails... will he ever get another shot? Doubtful. So he took a program that no top shelf coach wanted with HUGE problems and risked never being a HC again. Yep, risk.
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He won't need another shot. He's set for life regardless the outcome.

Again, how's that risky?
 
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#22
#22
I respect him for a number of reasons. First, after inheriting a really messy situation after kiffy and Fulmer, he has positioned UT football to return to its winning tradition with solid recruiting. Second, he represents Tennessee with class, dignity and intelligence. I can't for the Dooley haters to eat crow after this season. GO VOLS!!!!
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#23
#23
Spartacavolus said:
I don't think he took a risk. Sure, some coaches didn't want to touch it and may have felt a personal risk, but this wasn't really risky for him. He would have had to be a fool not to, if his desire was to be a HC in the sec.
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Sparty, the world's quite possibly going to come to an end, but you nailed this. I am in total agreement with no ifs ands or buts.
 
#24
#24
JayVols said:
Sparty, the world's quite possibly going to come to an end, but you nailed this. I am in total agreement with no ifs ands or buts.
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Man, you and I disagree on about 2 or 3 things about football and coaching. They just happen to be big ones and are common themes on this site.
 
#25
#25
sjt18 said:
Kidding, right? The program was set up for failure. Terrible roster, two weeks from NSD, looming NCAA problems, tarnished image, poor instate recruiting base with relationship problems at schools that produce talent like Brentwood, incredibly tough schedule for the first two years... and the likelihood that he would only get 3 years before fans demanded the turnaround be complete.

His option was to stay at LT. After their performance this year, he would have been credited with a great turnaround, impressive resume, and been in line for a better gig... a big program without the problems.
Click to expand...

Coaches work there whole lives for a job like Tennessee. He was given a shot at La Tech and he was never even a coordinator. If he is successful here then he is a hero. If not then he wasn't ready or he can say he wasn't given time considering the situation and will get a shot somewhere else. He is making a huge salary and for the rest of his life he has Tennessee head coach on his resume. Win or lose his career was enhanced by getting this gig.
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