Like him or not, Derek Dooley deserves respect

[Tenacguy50]

Every challenge involves some risk. His risk being he may not get an SEC chance(and especially one of Tennessee's level) again for a long time if he doesn't make this one work quick enough to satisfy the "I wanna win now at any cost" crowd. Dooley seems to really wanna be an SEC coach. Yes, he is being well compensated for any "risk" that he took, so it is pretty much a wash in that area. I do respect Dooley for taking a program in such a bad situation. Many other coaches would not have touched it for any amount of money. No, I don't have a link to prove this, but some people have common sense and reasoning, and thus know this to be the truth. I also have great respect for him because he is trying his best to turn this program around and do it the right way to make sure the young men involved enjoy a positive impact on their life by deciding to make our lives more enjoyable by becoming Vols. I also support Dooley completely right now. If he doesn't start showing results in the w-l department as he has in the program building area, he may start losing that support. But I truly doubt he will lose my respect because, IMHO, he truly is going above and beyond to try and right a ship that was pretty much sunk when he boarded it.

^ This! Absolutely dead on.

 

[TnTech_Vol]

Why people think he took a risk is baffling. He hit the lottery with this gig. We have to hope he can be successful.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

It's a risk because if he gets fired after this year, he will find it very hard to find a good coaching job again. He has improved things at TN and Dave Hart sees that as well, but now it's time to show the fans.

 

[bUTrosbUTrosVOLie]

Whatever happens with CDD he has done what he was-in large part-hired to do....stabilize the football program to get it started back on track. He has great organizational skills, intelligence, good character, a great family and, personally, I am not worried he will embarrass the university-like so many coaches do and have done-with some off field stupidity. Now, if he can just win some meaningful football games.

 

[VOLorNuttin]

I wasn't the original poster u responded to just an fyi. At the same time u seem to make it sound like its a fact that we could have anyone we want if the money is high enough and that's not the case. Sure if we throw stupid money at them thats different, but not at industry standards. Of course we wouldn't get saban at fulmer money, and why would he leave Bama just to come to a program that's in dire straits??

There aren't many sabans out there, so let's stop acting like throwing money at the problem is going to truly fix it.

I didn't say we could have gotten Saban. Shows how much you listen. I said BAMA would not have gotten Saban (to leave the Dolphins) on Hamilton's budget. He has paid both coaches less than what Fulmer was making. That shows clearly that Hamilton was trying to get a "decent"...not great, coach on the cheap.

If you want the Grudens, Lovie Smiths, Gary Patterson's, etc., you have to "show them the money." Hamilton was adamantly against paying the high salary. He thought he could find the football equivalent to Bruce Pearl. And that is precisely why he is no longer the AD.

I hope Dooley works out, but he would be among the last coaches I would have asked. Sumlin was reportedly interested and had a MUCH better resume than Dooley. So, don't try to feed us that Bullchip that "nobody would take the job but Dooley." That's utter foolishness.

 

[Orange Blazer]

So, you can read minds now in addition to being able to detect any less than gushing comment about a football coach? Impressive.

Thanks. I'm pretty awesome.

 

[VOLorNuttin]

The salary that was offered by the university was voted on by the board of trustees for any coaching candidate not just Hamilton. We were not going to go out and offer someone 4 or 5 million dollars and if you think that is a lie you have much to learn about UT. The big money donors are what pays the bills and they pride themselves on donating towards higher learning more than having a 4 or 5 million dollar year coach.

Got a link that says Hamilton was...well...Ham-strung by the BOT on the coaching hire/salary? If that is in fact the case (which I doubt), then Hamilton had no reason to leave. He was under fire for far more than Bruce Pearls shenanigans. Hiring Dooley was one of them. I'm sure he would have mentioned publicly if he was indeed constrained to a low budget on the coaching hires.

Neither he, nor the BOT's could expect a PROVEN HC to come in and compete with the likes of Meyer, Saban and Miles making 3.5-4mill/yr. for half of that. That's the point you and your buddies keep missing. It ain't "throwing money around." It's paying the market rate for a coach YOU EXPECT to compete with the top earners in the conference. I highly doubt the BOT's told him he could only spend 2-2.5mill/yr. Not with so much riding on the hire.

 

[GmanTN]

Got a link that says Hamilton was...well...Ham-strung by the BOT on the coaching hire/salary? If that is in fact the case, then Hamilton had no reason to leave. He was under fire for far more than Bruce Pearls shenanigans. Hiring Dooley was one of them.

Hate to break your theory into pieces but the Kiffin ordeal is what got Hambone in trouble more than hiring Dooley. The BOT also voted on whether to hire Dooley or not as well so if your theory is right than there is plenty of blame to go around, wouldn't you agree?

 

[VOLorNuttin]

Hate to break your theory into pieces but the Kiffin ordeal is what got Hambone in trouble more than hiring Dooley. The BOT also voted on whether to hire Dooley or not as well so if your theory is right than there is plenty of blame to go around, wouldn't you agree?

You keep making these claims, as if they are fact. Let's see some linkage, partner. Enough of the BS. Let's see some legit data to back it up.

Kiffin's contract had some part to do with Hamilton leaving, but it comes back to Hamilton trying to hire a coach on the cheap. He did it with Kiffin and he tried it again with Dooley. People were getting tired of it. He could have gotten a proven HC if he hadn't been so tight on the checkbook.

 

[GmanTN]

You keep making these claims, as if they are fact. Let's see some linkage, partner. Enough of the BS. Let's see some legit data to back it up.

Kiffin's contract had some part to do with Hamilton leaving, but it comes back to Hamilton trying to hire a coach on the cheap. He did it with Kiffin and he tried it again with Dooley. People were getting tired of it. He could have gotten a proven HC if he hadn't been so tight on the checkbook.

You live in a much different world than I do if you honestly believe that and as far as a link goes, not everything in life has a link to it so you find a link that supports your theory.

 

[wuwh_08]

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.

Aren't we all hired to a job, I believe in this society that people that have a job are respected. However that is my belief which probably is not in line with the current freeloading/handout society we live in today.

 

[VOLorNuttin]

You live in a much different world than I do if you honestly believe that and as far as a link goes, not everything in life has a link to it so you find a link that supports your theory.

If you don't have any evidence to back up your claims, then don't peddle them as fact. That's how it works in the world most of us live in.

It defies all logic to think that a once proud program like Tennessee, can throw money around, as you say, on facilities, but not even attempt to offer a top collegiate coaching candidate a salary that is in line with those whom you expect him to compete with.

 

[nagle]

:crazy: cant rain every day

 

[GmanTN]

If you don't have any evidence to back up your claims, then don't peddle them as fact. That's how it works in the world most of us live in.

It defies all logic to think that a once proud program like Tennessee, can throw money around, as you say, on facilities, but not even attempt to offer a top collegiate coaching candidate a salary that is in line with those whom you expect him to compete with.

Since you like links and brought up facilities, enjoy!

The University of Tennessee: Haslams Give UT Largest Gift Ever


The Haslams, both 1952 UT graduates, are widely known for their civic and philanthropic work. Jim Haslam is chairman of the board of Pilot Travel Centers LLC and chairman of the board and president of Pilot Corp., both headquartered in Knoxville. A member of the UT Board of Trustees since 1980, he has announced plans to step down when his term expires next year.

The gift will support the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Administration, the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy, the Athletic Department, and the Haslam Endowment.

“If Tennessee is going to be a leader in the knowledge economy of the 21st century, it must have a great flagship university,” Jim Haslam said. “We cannot go from good to great without increasing fundraising, and my hope would be that this gift would put the spotlight on philanthropy and the University of Tennessee’s tremendous potential to become a great university.”

Jim Haslam is a business graduate, and the business college will receive $7.5 million. The couple also designated $2.5 million to help build the new Baker Center, named for former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker Jr., who is a personal friend of the Haslams. Five million dollars will support the renovation of Neyland Stadium, $2.5 million goes toward a basketball practice facility, and $2.5 million supports other programs of the athletic department. Another $2.5 million goes to the Haslam Endowment, a new fund that will provide for strategic institutional priorities.

 

[volomon]

Right on Chatt-Town, In all seriousness, Vince Lombardi or Gen Neyland for that matter could not have done a lot better. Not comparing DD to either of them, but we were so low in numbers and talent, I don't see anyone improving on his performance (other than Ky loss) Do any of you go back to Coach Majors returning to UT, after he had won the NC at Pittsburg? He obviously was a great coach, but it took forever to really get things back to where they were, and a lot of that was just pure bad luck, I can't remember how many top recruits he signed that either got sick or injured and never contributed. You need to ease up on coach Dooley. I know the world is based on instant gratification more now than in the past, but good things happening often take time. We have I think seen improvement in the talent level and depth. One good season and we will be getting more 4 and 5 star recruits, It will happen, I think we take a giant step this year, but if not just a babby step I'll be satisfied as long as we keep taking them. That's my story

 

[ob79]

And I get what you are saying. I just see it that the safeguards he negotiated into his deal gives him a very soft landing if he isn't successful.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, especially given the historical success of the program and the expectations that he would face (is facing) once he had the job after a couple of seasons.

I don't see this as greed...it's smart negotiating.

I don't see this as a slap in the face to University, either...I see it as an assurance that Dooley will be afforded a reasonable amount of time to rebuild the program.

I can understand your viewpoint, especially considering the [poison] pill we had to swallow when CPF was fired, but I just don't see it that way.

 

[JayVols]

Whatever happens with CDD he has done what he was-in large part-hired to do....stabilize the football program to get it started back on track. He has great organizational skills, intelligence, good character, a great family and, personally, I am not worried he will embarrass the university-like so many coaches do and have done-with some off field stupidity. Now, if he can just win some meaningful football games.

Yep.

 

[JayVols]

Thanks. I'm pretty awesome.

Your modesty is admirable as well.

 

[JayVols]

Aren't we all hired to a job, I believe in this society that people that have a job are respected. However that is my belief which probably is not in line with the current freeloading/handout society we live in today.

I like the vibe of your post. I get what you are saying. How about not just having a job but doing your job well. (That's not intended to be a knock on DD, Blazer.) I know many folks that have a job, but they don't deserve my respect because of how they do their job and/or their dedication.

My bottom line is that respect is earned- not freely given. Dooley has earned respect in some areas for sure. I've never said he didn't. My only point of contention has been that one doesn't warrant respect for simply taking a job. Dooley can earn my full respect by winning.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Respect comes in the terms of success, not the terms of trying to clean up someone's messes, especially in the coaching biz. If he didn't take it, someone else down the line would have, and would be held to the same standard of winning games.

 

[Volru]

By respect, do you mean as a human being or as the coach who gave us LSU 2010, Kentucky 2011, and the first back-to-back losing seasons in a hundred years?

 

[JayVols]

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, especially given the historical success of the program and the expectations that he would face (is facing) once he had the job after a couple of seasons.

I don't see this as greed...it's smart negotiating.

I don't see this as a slap in the face to University, either...I see it as an assurance that Dooley will be afforded a reasonable amount of time to rebuild the program.

I can understand your viewpoint, especially considering the [poison] pill we had to swallow when CPF was fired, but I just don't see it that way.

Oh, I don't think it was greed at all. It was smart- very smart on CDD's part.

On the time issue, I can see that. I'm not trying to harp on anything (ok Sparty), but I feel that what happened in the KY game last year and the way it was handled sped that clock up- a lot. It was one game. It wasn't even that important from a strategic point of view. It was very important from a psychological point of view- especially for the fanbase. Throughout all the trials, The Streak was the one thing that the fans could point to. They lost that, and that's where Dooley lost a good portion of the fence-sitting (not in a bad way) fans.

To use a historical example that in no way is an attempt to equate the two events. I simply think it illustrates the situation quite well:

In early 1942, the US was in a bit of shell-shock. The Japanese had just destroyed a good portion of our Pacific fleet. The mood of the public was somber. How could this have happened? We can't seem to get revenge very quickly either. A plan was hatched to strip down B-25s and fly them off the USS Hornet to strike at Japan's industrial district. I won't go into full details of the Doolittle Raid (you probably already know the deal). Our planes dropped their bombs, but caused insignificant damage. It was nothing strategically. What it did accomplish was that it was a morale booster. It gave the public and the military the pick-me-up that they needed to get out of their funk. It also was a harbinger of what was coming for the Japanese. The KY loss and the handling of it immediatly afterwards served as the exact opposite for our fanbase. Not a knock,; just how I saw it.

Again, I am in no way, shape, or form equating the events. It's simply an analogy.

 

[govolswb]

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.

AMEN! Couldn't have said it better myself. Anyway if he was to be let go at the end of this year who would be his replacement? Probably a lower level coach who might not be able to recruit as well as CDD digging the hole that UT has been in even deeper not to mention having another head coaching change in such a short length of time which wouldn't help anything. He should at least be given 5 years to right the ship.

 

[Orange Blazer]

Your modesty is admirable as well.

Thank you sir. I do what I can.

 

[OuterBanksVol]

This isthe deciding year no doubt. If dd doesnt do 9 wins hes out.

 

[govolswb]

Oh, I don't think it was greed at all. It was smart- very smart on CDD's part.

On the time issue, I can see that. I'm not trying to harp on anything (ok Sparty), but I feel that what happened in the KY game last year and the way it was handled sped that clock up- a lot. It was one game. It wasn't even that important from a strategic point of view. It was very important from a psychological point of view- especially for the fanbase. Throughout all the trials, The Streak was the one thing that the fans could point to. They lost that, and that's where Dooley lost a good portion of the fence-sitting (not in a bad way) fans.

To use a historical example that in no way is an attempt to equate the two events. I simply think it illustrates the situation quite well:

In early 1942, the US was in a bit of shell-shock. The Japanese had just destroyed a good portion of our Pacific fleet. The mood of the public was somber. How could this have happened? We can't seem to get revenge very quickly either. A plan was hatched to strip down B-25s and fly them off the USS Hornet to strike at Japan's industrial district. I won't go into full details of the Doolittle Raid (you probably already know the deal). Our planes dropped their bombs, but caused insignificant damage. It was nothing strategically. What it did accomplish was that it was a morale booster. It gave the public and the military the pick-me-up that they needed to get out of their funk. It also was a harbinger of what was coming for the Japanese. The KY loss and the handling of it immediatly afterwards served as the exact opposite for our fanbase. Not a knock,; just how I saw it.

Again, I am in no way, shape, or form equating the events. It's simply an analogy.

My personal opinion is that the main problem in the KY game last season was the defense wasn't ready which shouldn't be as much of an issue this season since we have our new DC. I never beleived Wilcox was up to the challenge of DC in the SEC from week to week. He did have some good defensive games at BState, but most of their games were won not by a smothering defense but by outscoring their opponents and great special teams play. I know someone is going to say that Sunseri has not been a DC in the SEC either, but he has been coaching on the defensive side of the ball and understands what a defense in the SEC needs to be.