OT: Derek Dooley experiment officially ends at University of Tennessee

Submitted by fleetwoodzback on

After getting curb stomped by Vanderbilt last night, AD Dave Hart has pulled the trigger and officially released Derek Dooley as head coach. Dooley turned down the offer of coaching the final game of the season and interim head coach Jim Chaney will coach the Vols against Kentucky.

http://tennessee.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1438232

cm2010

November 18th, 2012 at 12:11 PM ^

It's a great time to be a Commodore. They ended their bowl victory drought last year, are going to a bowl game two consecutive years for the first time in forever, dominated Tennessee, and caused them to fire their coach.

So, how long until James Franklin is poached from Vandy?

ScruffyTheJanitor

November 18th, 2012 at 12:13 PM ^

And people here since, oh, about the fifth game of the year, have decided not to care. I don't think Gruden is quite so far fetched, but I don't think he takes the job. Dantonio occured to me as well. Ultimately, I think Dave Harts order of preference is this:

1) Gruden

2 Gary Patterson

3) Kirby Smart

4) Charlie Strong

5) John Chavis

6) Fullmer

7) Petrino

 After Strong, the list get progressivly more desperate. I think if John Chavis was more comfortable with UT (He apparently was SUPER pissed with how Fullmer was let go) he would be choice #1. For UT fans, he would be like Hiring Greg Mattison and Hoke at the same time. His family is still in the area, and by all account he still loves UT (I actually have a source for this). 

ghost

November 18th, 2012 at 1:10 PM ^

If Gruden comes back its for the NFL and there was word a couple of weeks ago that he was starting to contact possible assistant coaches.  Garry Patterson has finally gotten TCU to the Big12.  Why would he leave now?  He's got a better chance to win at TCU then he does at Tennessee.  Maybe they take a run at Tubberville or a guy likes Butch Jones (I'd say Sonny Dykes, but after the Dooley disaster I can't see them doing that again).  Dan Mullen could be a possibility

ScruffyTheJanitor

November 18th, 2012 at 1:28 PM ^

I just think those are the first two names he asks. It would be irresponsible not to. I think Smart is the eventual hire. However bad UT has been the last few years, the combination of football worship, facilities, straight cash, and ability to recruit would be VERY hard for smart to turn down. I think Strong would take the job, too, and would be a pretty popular hire. 

The Wolf

November 18th, 2012 at 5:10 PM ^

I hadn't really considered the Dan Mullen angle, but after thinking about . . . why not.  He has done great things with Miss. St. so far.  I wonder how switching (head coaching) jobs within the conference would go, however.  Seems like a great way to put a huge target on your back, no?  Cannot deny what Tennessee has to offer though.

mackbru

November 18th, 2012 at 12:21 PM ^

When are people finally going to realize that Gruden is simply a self-generated hype-machine? No doubt his people constantly float his name; otherwise, why would it come up in every job opening? He never immediately discounts the rumors. He always lets them marinate for a while. Also, what did he do in college to warrant such excitement? I know he had one great year in the NFL. Mostly, though, people want him because they see him on tv. It's ridiculous.

ScruffyTheJanitor

November 18th, 2012 at 12:30 PM ^

First off, his work with QB's before the draft would have a lot of impact on recruiting. And to say he had "one great year" in the NFL is a bit harsh. I think his last two or three seasons he just meddeled too much with his QB's. 

Secondly, calling him a "self-generated hype machine" because he doesn't respond to coaching rumors is also a bit too harsh. 

icefins26

November 18th, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^

This may sound crazy but I wouldn't be shocked if Tennessee, Arkansas or Auburn take a look at Dantonio. He would be inclined to take a look right now with his stock on the decline and Michigan and Ohio on the rise. It's going to be interesting to see what happens this offseason. There will be a ton of changes.

RowoneEndzone

November 18th, 2012 at 4:31 PM ^

Yeah, I don't have much more motivation to go on after that.   A nice high paying career and a 2.5 million dollar severance package IN THE BANK at 44.  I'll be at breckenridge and vail in the winter and the thousand islands in the summer.

/drankin'

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

November 18th, 2012 at 2:07 PM ^

According to my friend in their AD, they want a proven college coach with recruiting knowledge of SEC country: Strong, Tuberville, Schiano, Mullen, Fedora, Pelini in order of fit. All might be tough to pull from current gigs.

I'll still guess Kirby Smart, especially since the Ath Dir Hart came from Bama last year and Kirby is very affordable.

State Street

November 18th, 2012 at 2:09 PM ^

AD Hart openly stating in the press conference that UT is at a total disadvantage due to mismanagement of funds, "academic disadvantages," and other general disarray.  S-E-C!  S-E-C!

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

November 18th, 2012 at 2:17 PM ^

Tennessee, Arkansas, Auburn are A-/B+ jobs. Kentucky a C. Candidate pool is thin, as proven by Gruden dreams by many alum bases.

Mack Brown, Kiffin, Tedford, Ferentz and some others are probably safe another year just because the pool is so thin.

snarling wolverine

November 18th, 2012 at 2:52 PM ^

I'm sure there are good candidates.  ADs just have to do their homework.  The problem at a lot of schools is that, rather than hire a promising but inexperienced guy, a lot of ADs think they need a "home run" hire to appease the fanbase.  

Pat Narduzzi is a guy that I'd like to see get a shot somewhere.  I don't like his personality but he's clearly a good DC.  Give him a ticket out of East Lansing.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

November 18th, 2012 at 4:19 PM ^

I'm sure there are many strong coaches with the political savvy to turn around these programs - but most ADs are risk adverse and super political animals that equate "good" with "obvious" because they want boosters and the media to endorse their choice on day 1.

Harbaugh and Miles were the obvious choices for UM, while DB had to sell Hoke to the masses that he wasn't a contingency hire. DB found a great coach who wasn't obvious.