History of Derek Dooley (American football) in Timeline

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

1906: Worst Record Since 1906

In 2012, it was noted that Derek Dooley amassed the worst record of head coaches with more than two seasons in Tennessee history, and the worst overall since 1906.

1910: Last Back-to-Back Losing Seasons Before Dooley Era

The 2010-2011 seasons were the first time since 1910 and 1911 that the Vols had finished with losing records in back-to-back seasons.

1911: Last Back-to-Back Losing Seasons Before Dooley Era

The 2010-2011 seasons were the first time since 1910 and 1911 that the Vols had finished with losing records in back-to-back seasons.

June 10, 1968: Derek Dooley Born

On June 10, 1968, Derek Vincent Dooley was born. He is an American football coach and attorney.

1968: Birth in Athens, Georgia

In 1968, Derek Dooley was born in Athens, Georgia, the son of University of Georgia coach Vince Dooley and radio talk show host Barbara Meshad Dooley.

1977: Last Postseason Victory Before Dooley

Louisiana Tech's last postseason victory was in the 1977 Independence Bowl, prior to Derek Dooley's tenure.

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.

1985: AAAA State Championship

In 1985, Derek Dooley played high school football at Clarke Central High School and was a star tight end on the school's AAAA State Championship team.

1989: ACC Championship

In 1989, Derek Dooley helped the University of Virginia to an ACC championship and three bowl appearances.

1990: Academic All-ACC and Senior Bowl Participation

In 1990, Derek Dooley was named first-team Academic All-ACC and participated in the Senior Bowl.

1994: Juris Doctor Degree

In 1994, Derek Dooley earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.

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.

August 2014: Peyton's Diabetes Diagnosis

In August 2014, Peyton Dooley, one of Derek Dooley's children, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

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.