I was traveling recently and had the privilege of meeting a former TN player. He was here during the Fulmer/Kiffin/Dooley debacle. Like any Vol fan, I began to ask questions and gained a lot of insight-some I assumed and some I was oblivious to.
For instance, had it been any other school other than USC, Kiffin would still be here. He said he was a brilliant offensive mind and had the respect of the entire team. Even when he would be in meetings with the offense, he would never try to coach a position of which he knew nothing about. (Unlike Dooley who always tried to throw his 2 cents in. Even to the point that his staff would tell the players to disregard everything he just said.) He believed Kiffin would've had us competing for championships already. (Not so sure I agreed with that as apparent with the current state of USC)
Regarding Fulmer, he definitely got lazy and it showed in the locker room. He would often be found asleep during meetings. Was a great man and loved TN but felt it was time for him to go.
Dooley and his staff was a complete train wreck and quite possibly could be the worst staff ever assembled. Not from football knowledge but from sheer lack of chemistry.(All the more I reason I like how BJ has brought his people with him everywhere he's went.) Dooley allowed DaRick to verbally abuse Coach Baggett without ever doing a thing about it. Dooley had zero football knowledge. Literally. He would say things in meetings that made no sense to even the newest freshman. He was all hair and no substance. But I don't think any of us were fooled by him very far into his tenure. Bottom line, he felt we finally have a staff that understands football but also how to motivate 18-22 yr olds to be excellent on and off the field. Sorry this was so long but thought I'd share.
