Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Derek Dooley (American football)

Discover the career path of Derek Dooley (American football), from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Derek Dooley is an American football coach and attorney who most recently worked as a senior offensive analyst for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He previously served as the head football coach at Louisiana Tech University from 2007 to 2009 and at the University of Tennessee from 2010 to 2012. Prior to coaching, he was also a football player.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1980: Vince Dooley's National Championship

In 1980, Vince Dooley, Derek Dooley's father, was the head football coach at the University of Georgia and won the national championship.

1996: Graduate Assistant at University of Georgia

In 1996, Derek Dooley started his college coaching career with a one-year stint as a graduate assistant at the University of Georgia.

1997: Wide Receivers Coach at SMU

In 1997, Derek Dooley began serving as the wide receivers coach at Southern Methodist University (SMU).

1999: Assistant Recruiting Coordinator at SMU

In 1999, Derek Dooley was also the assistant recruiting coordinator during his final year at SMU while still serving as the wide receivers coach.

2000: Hired by Nick Saban at LSU

In 2000, Derek Dooley was hired by Nick Saban at LSU as the Tigers’ recruiting coordinator/tight ends coach.

2002: Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach at LSU

In 2002, Derek Dooley continued as the recruiting coordinator/tight ends coach at LSU.

2003: Coaching Running Backs and Special Teams at LSU

In 2003, Derek Dooley spent the season coaching the Tigers’ running backs and special teams at LSU.

2003: BCS National Championship at LSU

In 2003, Derek Dooley was an assistant coach under Nick Saban and won a BCS National Championship at LSU.

2004: Assistant Head Coach at LSU

In 2004, Derek Dooley was named assistant head coach at LSU.

January 10, 2005: Named Dolphins' Tight Ends Coach

On January 10, 2005, Derek Dooley was named to the Miami Dolphins’ coaching staff as the tight ends coach by Nick Saban.

2005: Departure to Miami Dolphins with Saban

In 2005, Derek Dooley left LSU with Nick Saban when the latter became head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

December 17, 2006: Hired as Head Coach at Louisiana Tech

On December 17, 2006, Derek Dooley was hired as the new head coach at Louisiana Tech University, replacing Jack Bicknell.

2006: Left Dolphins for Louisiana Tech

In 2006, Derek Dooley left the Dolphins' staff when he was chosen as the new head football coach at Louisiana Tech.

2007: First Season as Head Coach at Louisiana Tech

In 2007, Derek Dooley led the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs to a 5–7 record in his first season as head coach.

March 6, 2008: Named Athletics Director of Louisiana Tech University

On March 6, 2008, Derek Dooley was named the Athletics Director of Louisiana Tech University, replacing Jim Oakes.

2009: 4-8 Season at Louisiana Tech

In the 2009 season, Derek Dooley led Louisiana Tech to a 4–8 record.

January 15, 2010: Hired as Head Coach at University of Tennessee

On January 15, 2010, Derek Dooley was hired as the 22nd head coach at the University of Tennessee, replacing Lane Kiffin.

2010: Consecutive Losing Season

In 2010, Tennessee had a losing season under head coach Derek Dooley.

2010: First Season at Tennessee

In 2010, the Tennessee Volunteer football team, under Derek Dooley, was expected to be one of the worst in school history but finished 6-6 and became bowl eligible.

2010: Losing Record

In 2010, the Tennessee Volunteers finished with a losing record of 6-7 under Derek Dooley.

2011: Disappointing Season at Tennessee

In 2011, Derek Dooley's Tennessee team finished a disappointing 5–7, ending a 26-game winning streak against Kentucky.

2011: Consecutive Losing Season

In 2011, Tennessee had a losing season under head coach Derek Dooley.

2012: Fired from Tennessee

In 2012, Derek Dooley was fired from his head coaching position at the University of Tennessee after a 5-7 season, marking three consecutive losing seasons for the program.

2012: Dooley-Witten Learning Center

In 2012, funds were allocated to the Dooley-Witten Learning Center at the Halls/Powell Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley, a project on which Derek Dooley partnered with Jason Witten.

February 5, 2013: Hired by Dallas Cowboys

On February 5, 2013, Derek Dooley was officially hired as the Dallas Cowboys' wide receivers coach.

2014: Top Offense with the Cowboys

In the 2014 season, Derek Dooley contributed to an offensive coaching staff with the Dallas Cowboys that finished in the top seven offenses in yardage in the NFL.

June 2016: Interview with Clay Travis

In June 2016, Derek Dooley gave an in-depth on the record discussion of his tenure at the University of Tennessee during a live two-hour televised interview with Clay Travis of Fox Sports Outkick the Coverage.

2016: Top Offense with the Cowboys

In the 2016 season, Derek Dooley contributed to an offensive coaching staff with the Dallas Cowboys that finished in the top seven offenses in yardage in the NFL.