KNOXVILLE — Arguably the most stunning 15-month period in University of Tennessee football history took another unexpected turn Friday when Louisiana Tech coach and athletic director Derek Dooley accepted an offer to become the Volunteers’ head coach.
Mr. Dooley, the 42-year-old son of Georgia Bulldogs’ football coaching legend Vince Dooley, filled the spot vacated by Lane Kiffin, who departed Tuesday to Southern California University.
“I offered Derek the job at what, 4 o’clock this afternoon?” UT men’s athletic director Mike Hamilton said Friday night while turning toward the coach.
“It was late,” Derek Dooley replied with a laugh. “Can I just jump in here? There has never been a head coach given less time for this than me.”
Mr. Dooley had been head coach at Louisiana Tech the past three seasons and was the school’s athletic director since March 2008. He had a 17-20 record in three years, including a 4-8 mark last season. Before that, he was an assistant coach at Georgia, Southern Methodist, Louisiana State and for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
“I’m humbled and honored to stand before you,” Mr. Dooley said. “I grew up in this (Southeastern) Conference. I grew up in the SEC, and it didn’t take me long as a youngster to realize that Tennessee was the essence of college football.”