I have always been a strong Dooley supporter. However, yesterday convinced me it's time for a change. For the past two years, I think Dooley has done a good job of righting the ship and overcoming a depleted roster. However, we now have to face the question of whether this is going to be the best we can expect from Tennessee in the future. The fact is that a team with a high caliber quarterback, one of the most experienced offensive lines in football, and two future professional receivers is, right now, likely to miss out on a bowl game. The question folks should ask is if Dooley cannot do it with this roster, can he ever.
Five years ago I posted that I thought it was time for Fulmer to go because the program was trending downward to the point where Florida, Alabama and Georgia were no longer serious rivals and South Carolina would be the comparable program. Apparently, at least until Spurrier leaves, that was an overestimation. Right now, Florida, Alabama, LSU, South Carolina and George are out of reach for the foreseeable future. We are more on par with Auburn, Mississippi State and Missouri right now.
Given that Dooley has put together three top 15 recruiting classes of his own players, but the wins have not happened, it's probable time to conclude that something is just plain missing and while Dooley should be commended for his work to date, he's probably not the guy that will get Tennessee back to competing with the top half of the SEC.
(I know the argument is made that Dooley's game plan is good but the player's aren't executing it. That is in reality probably true. But the ashheap of history is full of coaches that are geniuses but cannot translate that to wins, see e.g., Charlie Weis. It takes a total package and right now Dooley doesn't seem to have it.)
The second reason it might be time for a change is the prospects of luring a high profile coach are better. Three years ago, I think most coaches looked at Tennessee and saw an ungrateful fan base with a severely depleted roster so the chances of success were few. The talent does appear to have increased markedly.
Five years ago I posted that I thought it was time for Fulmer to go because the program was trending downward to the point where Florida, Alabama and Georgia were no longer serious rivals and South Carolina would be the comparable program. Apparently, at least until Spurrier leaves, that was an overestimation. Right now, Florida, Alabama, LSU, South Carolina and George are out of reach for the foreseeable future. We are more on par with Auburn, Mississippi State and Missouri right now.
Given that Dooley has put together three top 15 recruiting classes of his own players, but the wins have not happened, it's probable time to conclude that something is just plain missing and while Dooley should be commended for his work to date, he's probably not the guy that will get Tennessee back to competing with the top half of the SEC.
(I know the argument is made that Dooley's game plan is good but the player's aren't executing it. That is in reality probably true. But the ashheap of history is full of coaches that are geniuses but cannot translate that to wins, see e.g., Charlie Weis. It takes a total package and right now Dooley doesn't seem to have it.)
The second reason it might be time for a change is the prospects of luring a high profile coach are better. Three years ago, I think most coaches looked at Tennessee and saw an ungrateful fan base with a severely depleted roster so the chances of success were few. The talent does appear to have increased markedly.
