Dooley gone. How about hiring one of Frank Broyles' sons? They are developers, not coaches, but as property developers they can sell a project to city officials better than most

By James Bryant
Senior Writer InsideTennessee
Posted Jan 15, 2010

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It appears that the University of Tennessee has a new football coach. Appears is the key word. According to multiple sources out of Ruston, Louisiana and now in Knoxville Tennessee, Derek Dooley will be the next head coach for the Volunteers. Go "Inside" this FREE Read for all Vol Fans.

It appears that the University of Tennessee has a new football coach.

According to multiple sources out of Ruston, Louisiana and now in Knoxville Tennessee, Derek Dooley will be the next head coach for the Volunteers.

Dooley, the 41 year old son of former long time Georgia Head Coach Vince Dooley, has been the head coach at Louisiana Tech for the last three years. Dooley was 5-7 his first season in Ruston before leading the Bulldogs to an Independence Bowl win over Northern Illinois in his second year at the school going 8-5. The Bulldogs were 4-8 this past season, losing five games by a combined 12 points including a 10 point loss to LSU.

University of Tennessee Athletic Department released this statement.

Dooley, 42, comes to the Vols after three seasons as head coach at Louisiana Tech, where he also served as athletics director since March 2008. Dooley compiled a 17-20 overall record in three seasons with the Bulldogs, including an 8-5 mark in 2008 that was highlighted by the school’s first bowl game and bowl victory in 30 years at the Independence Bowl. For his efforts, the Louisiana Sports Writers’ Association named him Coach of the Year.

Dooley began his coaching career in 1996 as a graduate assistant at Georgia under defensive coordinator Joe Kines. After serving as wide receivers coach and co-recruiting coordinator at SMU from 1997-99, Dooley joined the staff at LSU under head coach Nick Saban as recruiting coordinator from 2000-02 and running backs coach and special teams coordinator from 2003-04. While LSU’s recruiting coordinator, Dooley helped the Tigers land No. 1 classes in 2001 and 2003.

He left LSU with Saban to serve as tight ends coach for the Miami Dolphins from 2005-06, before being named to his first head coaching position at Louisiana Tech on Dec. 17, 2006.

Dooley, son of former Georgia coaching legend Vince Dooley, was a walk-on wide receiver at Virginia before earning a scholarship after his second season and leading the Cavaliers to three bowl appearances and the 1989 ACC championship.

“We are excited to welcome Derek and Allison to the University of Tennessee family,” said UT Athletics Director Mike Hamilton. “Derek is one of the bright young coaches in America. He understands our league and the competitive environment in which we compete.

“He took a very difficult first head coaching job and has made significant strides there in a short period of time. He is incredibly bright, a tireless recruiter and excellent on-the-field coach.”

Dooley replaces Lane Kiffin who abruptly left the Volunteer Football program Tuesday night to take over as the new head coach at USC after only one year in Knoxville.