KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart believes Derek Dooley improved Tennessee football during his three-year tenure as the Volunteers' coach. Dooley just didn't improve the Vols enough to keep his job. The 44-year-old Dooley was fired Sunday after posting a 15-21 record that lacked wins over ranked opponents and Southeastern Conference foes. Dooley was 4-19 in SEC games and 0-15 against Top 25 teams. Tennessee (4-7, 0-7 SEC) is 1-14 in the SEC over the last two years. Hart said Sunday that Dooley improved the team despite inheriting a tough situation, but he noted that "you can't ignore the results at the end of the day." Tennessee's 41-18 loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday guarantees the Vols their third consecutive losing season. Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney will coach the Vols' season finale.
Tennessee fires football coach Derek Dooley
You are here
-
Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley watches during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
-
Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley, foreground, leaves the field after losing to Vanderbilt in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. Vanderbilt won 41-18. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
-
Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley reacts to a play during the first quarter against Missouri in an NCAA football game at Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Knoxville News Sentinel, Amy Smotherman Burgess)
-
Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley surveys the field before an NCAA football game against Missouri at Neyland Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Knoxville News Sentinel, Amy Smotherman Burgess)
-
Tennessee head football coach Derek Dooley gives a news conference on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, at the UT campus in Knoxville, Tenn. Dooley said that he hasn't been told whether the Volunteers plan to remove him at the end of the season, contrary to reports suggesting such a move was inevitable. (AP Photo/Knoxville News Sentinel, Michael Patrick)
Comments