5 questions for UT football

1 How will the Vols respond to their third coach in three years?

The same program that had two head coaches in three decades has now had three in the past three seasons.

Beyond the obvious differences — especially schematic philosophies — players are adjusting to their third drastically different personality in three years. Some players who loved Phillip Fulmer didn’t get along with Lane Kiffin, and some who loved Kiffin won’t get along with Dooley.

Ultimately, the players have just two options. They can accept Dooley or transfer.

“I’ve been really happy that they’re slowly buying into what our philosophies are,” Dooley said. “The biggest thing is everybody’s anxious to get to practice.

“You can only jump over bags and run shuttles for so long before you just say, ‘It’s time to play some football.’”

2 Who will emerge as the starting quarterback?

Dooley preemptively squashed — or at least alleviated — spring’s pressure-filled quarterback derby Wednesday by delaying its conclusion.

Senior Nick Stephens, highly-touted freshman Tyler Bray and junior college transfer Matt Simms seem to be the derby’s primary trio.

“The quarterback position will not be settled by the end of spring,” Dooley said. “This is a body of work over time deal. And once we get to a decision on who we go with, sometimes it’s still not going to be settled until we go out there and perform and see who can move the chains and score points. We’re not going to do a day-trading thing and say, ‘This guys winning, and this guy’s losing,’

“We’re going to go through spring, we’re going to mix it up and try to equalize reps.”

Ultimately, though, someone has to start. And it’s kind of a big deal.

3 Who will protect that quarterback?

UT was supposed to return just one starter up front this spring — freshman All-America left tackle Aaron Douglas — but Dooley said Douglas will probably miss the first few practices while working through an unspecified “personal situation.”

Dooley also disclosed a recent, “mutual parting of ways” with mammoth junior William Brimfield, which only adds to arguably UT’s biggest void. Depth and overall talent are both questions, and that’s a tough combination, but a few highly-regarded freshman are on the way to possibly help the problem.

4 Who will lead the defense?

Dooley admitted the obvious Wednesday when saying UT’s defense lost its “four most productive players” from last season.

Safety Eric Berry and Dan Williams weren’t just productive, either. They were proficient enough to be considered first-round prospects in the upcoming NFL draft. Linebacker Rico McCoy and versatile defensive back Dennis Rogan are also gone, as is defensive line leader Wes Brown.

The Vols aren’t wholly without talent on defense, but finding a leader other than dynamic defensive end Chris Walker will be huge.

Nick Reveiz — a natural leader and overachiever who developed into a solid middle linebacker — will be extremely limited this spring while recovering from ACL surgery five months ago. His return will help eventually, but the Vols will need much more than that.

Cornerback Art Evans (shoulder) and versatile linebacker Savion Frazier (ACL), two likely starters, will also miss spring practice.

5 How will the running back situation sort out?

UT lacks proven talent in several areas.

Running back isn’t one of those areas.

But there’s only one ball to share between Bryce Brown, Tauren Poole, David Oku, Chattanooga native Toney Williams and others. And there are some egos there that must be carefully managed.