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Derek Dooley
By Ethan Levine
Last Updated:
Derek Dooley was a head coach in the SEC for three seasons at the University of Tennessee from 2010-2012. He took over the Volunteers program after the departure of former head coach Lane Kiffin to USC, and was Tennessee’s third coach in three seasons. Dooley led the Vols to one bowl game during his three-year tenure as head coach, but his teams finished with a losing record in all three seasons.
After beginning his first season with a 2-6 record, Tennessee won its final four games of the regular season to earn bowl eligibility. The Vols fell to North Carolina in the Music City Bowl on a controversial final play, then went 5-7 each of the next two seasons, posting a dismal 2-14 record against SEC competition in that time.
Dooley was fired following the 2007 season and replaced by Butch Jones. Prior to arriving in Knoxville, Dooley was the head coach of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs for three seasons from 2007-2009. He spent part of that time also serving as Louisiana Tech’s athletic director.
| Coaching History | Team | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Wide Receivers Coach | Dallas Cowboys | 2013-Present |
| Head Coach | Tennessee Volunteers | 2010-2012 |
| Head Coach | Louisiana Tech Bulldogs | 2007-2009 |
| Tight Ends Coach | Green Bay Packers | 2005-2006 |
| Running Backs Coach/Special Teams Coordinator | LSU Tigers | 2003-2004 |
| Tight Ends Coach/Recruiting Coordinator | LSU Tigers | 2000-2002 |
| Wide Receivers Coach | SMU Mustangs | 1997-1999 |
| Graduate Assistant | Georgia Bulldogs | 1996 |
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
