University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley speaks to the press during an event.KNOXVILLE — It was one of those lines that swirl through most college football coaches’ heads at one time or another, even if they never publicize it.
But from his orange pants up, Tennessee’s Derek Dooley isn’t like most coaches. So as he tried to put last Saturday’s embarrassing 49-7 loss at Arkansas behind him during Monday’s press luncheon, he echoed what many in the Big Orange Nation have been thinking ever since that depressing defeat dropped UT to 4-6 overall and 0-6 in the Southeastern Conference.
Asked about the importance of beating Vanderbilt this Saturday night in Neyland Stadium — a loss would end the Volunteers’ bowl hopes — Dooley said, “I’m sure it will change how a lot of people feel externally, about me and where we’re headed, and that’s OK.”
So where are they headed under the second-year coach?
Who knows?