Finally a Coach who speaks out.......

[WorkHorse]

Finally a coach speaks out about the ridicules recruiting hype. Tennessee's Derek Dooley said what 99% of coaches think but are affraid to go public. Dooley criticized the hype surrounding high school prospects, calling it a serious problem that coaches have to deal with. Dooley said some recruits need to be humbled when they arrive on campus after receiving loads of attention and accolades while in high school. By the time the player reaches a college program, Dooley told the Zone SportsFest at the Nashville Convention Center on Saturday, a player is a mess. The coach told the crowd he is careful about making promises. Dooley said he tells recruits early on that they'll have to work to earn playing time, even if that's not what the player wants to hear.

Way to go coach.....I'm beginning to like this Dooley guy.

[BigdaddyQH]

It is about time. These High School Prima Donna's think they own the world. THey are immature, and often illiterate, especially when it comes to college and being away from home. That is why so many are drafted and so few make it. The average team has 85 shcolarships, yet only 22 players get to start. I would like to see the number of scholarships cut to 55. If NFL teams can survive with that many players, so can colleges.

[utmoody10]

Dooley is definitely cut from the old school mold. This past recruiting season, many prospects had great things to say about Coach Dooley. Timmy Jernigan's (FSU signee) quote really stood out when he mentioned that he could tell Dooley was sincere in wanting to better these athletes as men and not just "running game" like a lot of coaches do. He says the right things and is a good face for the Vol program that has recently came on tough times. Hopefully it all translates to W's on the field as well.

[mmike032]

good for Dooley

[BigdaddyQH]

He is going to have to do more, and Tennessee fans are going to have to be patient. Tennessee still has a ways to go to compete in the SEC East, and the SEC East is miles behind the SEC West now. Having to play Alabama and Florida every year is not going to help either.

[scarp]

glad somebody will speak up!

[WorkHorse]

Scarp, I lived in Atlanta for 27 years and even though my loyalty has always been to Alabama, I attented many games at Georgia. Vince Dooley who is young Dooley's father was the head coach and a good one.

I think maybe the apple didn't fall to far from the tree. The old man was a no-nonsense coach back in the day. Looks like Derek has the same values.