Tennessee hires Louisiana Tech’s Derek Dooley, son of longtime Georgia coach Vince Dooley

Tennessee hires La. Tech’s Derek Dooley

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Derek Dooley has the Southern accent, the coaching pedigree and is doing his best to reassure Tennessee fans their new coach appreciates where he’s now working.

The son of Georgia legend Vince Dooley was introduced Friday night as Tennessee’s second coach in 14 months, replacing Lane Kiffin days after he bolted for Southern California.

Dooley says he learned early that Tennessee was the essence of college football.

He also promised he will not try to sell Tennessee in a sound bite, perhaps a welcome dig at Kiffin, who wound up reprimanded by the Southeastern Conference for his comments. Dooley promised to build the program with a foundation of integrity.

Dooley was offered the job late Friday afternoon, resigned as coach and athletic director of Louisiana Tech and then flew into Knoxville for the late news conference.