Here are some hot links about the University of Tennessee - " Home of The Vols ". The legendary ABC announcer Keith Jackson noted in his opening monologue prior to the Fiesta Bowl that no school in the country can match Tennessee with football tradition. The pageantry of a cool, crisp Saturday afternoon in Knoxville is truly second to none.
They are the "1998 National Champions", who went undefeated (13-0) for the season. The '98 team was the only team to go 13-0 in school history and is considered the best overall team since 1938. Tee Martin led the Vols to their second consecutive SEC title that year. In 1997, Peyton Manning had helped lead the Vols to their first SEC title since 1990. During the four years (1994-1997) that Peyton Manning played at Tennessee, he broke 42 records - 2 NCAA, 7 SEC and 33 at Tennessee.
Through nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, he hasn't missed a game, has won two NFL MVP awards, has carved a still-expanding niche in the NFL record book and earned a long-sought Super Bowl championship. Here's a great site on Peyton Manning: Peyton-Manning.net
Flash Jukebox MP3 Player
The Flash Jukebox MP3 Player is the best anywhere, & you have it right here to enjoy. This player has 1000 Plus Top Hits. All artist are in alphabetical order except the first 7 songs that are UT Vol songs. Starting with number 8 thru 351 are the 2000, 90's, & 80's Hits, & 70's, 60's & 50's starting at 352 thru 800, & continues with the Top Mix 801 thru 1000 plus.
Sites & Sounds
Tennessee Football
For info on how to support The University of Tennessee thru the VASF and to secure your seats at Neyland Stadium, go to this site for all the answers. Deadline March 1st-2010 Season Tickets >>
Florida St. vacates 12 football wins for cheating -- (Feb. 7, 2010) -- Florida State will vacate athletic victories from 2006 and 2007, including 12 credited to former football coach Bobby Bowden, as part of its penalty for an academic fraud scandal in 2006-07 involving 61 student-athletes, the school announced.
UT's future is bright, but past is present -- (Feb. 6, 2010) -- Tennessee's 2010 football recruiting class has center stage for now. But after being analyzed and celebrated the last few days, it will be mostly forgotten over the course of the next season.
Chuck Smith comes home -- (Feb. 6, 2010) -- Tennessee's Derek Dooley completed his staff Friday with a familiar face, naming Chuck Smith to the ninth and final assistant coach's position. Smith is a former UT and pro football defensive star originally from Athens, Ga., where he was a teammate of Dooley's at Clarke Central High School in the 1980s.
Dooley: 'My goal today is not to make any national headlines' -- (Feb. 4, 2010) -- No trash-talk. No mention of rivals or opposing coaches. New Tennessee coach Derek Dooley wouldn't even break down his freshly signed recruiting class at his breakfast celebration Thursday morning at the Knoxville Convention Center.
"AN AMAZING PERFORMANCE" -- (Feb. 4, 2010) -- After the events of Jan. 12 and the early days thereafter, there had been thoughts among the Vol faithful that things might go belly-up, recruiting wise. Not enough time to salvage the class, worried fans thought.
Kiffin closes on two top classes before can of worms opens -- (Feb. 3, 2010) -- Lane Kiffin is the coach who keeps on giving ...... crap to Urban Meyer.... headaches to the NCAA.... sweet promises to recruits. Yeah, all those things. Still. Change of venue hasn't seemed to matter. Now hold on to your commitment list, recruitniks.
Tennessee's Dooley hangs on to top class -- (Feb. 3, 2010) -- KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Derek Dooley only had two weeks to salvage the top ten recruiting class left by predecessor Lane Kiffin when he bolted for Southern California. His class may look a bit different, but it's still one of the best in the nation.
Top Uncommitted Players -- (Feb. 1, 2010) -- National signing day is less than one week away and while the majority of the nation's top uncommitted players have declared their college destinations, there are many who have yet to announce. Here's a breakdown of the uncommitted and where things stand heading into crunch time.
Ambles finally finds way to UT, 'ridin up to k-town' -- (Jan. 31, 2010) -- Markeith Ambles finally made it to Tennessee on Saturday for his official visit. It wasn’t easy. The highly rated receiver and former UT commitment from Henry County High School in McDonough, Ga., made it to Knoxville after spending the night in Charlotte, N.C., on Friday.
A look at UT's commitments before and after Dooley -- (Jan. 31, 2010) -- First a coaching change, then snow; what's next? Locusts in Knoxville? Despite the challenges, Tennessee coach Derek Dooley has certainly had an impact on UT's 2010 signing class since being hired on Jan. 16.
Vols, Lady Vols Combine for 37 on SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll -- (Jan. 29, 2010) -- The Tennessee football team landed 20 student-athletes among 37 UT recipients on the 2009 Southeastern Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll, as released Friday by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive.
Williams impressive so far at Senior Bowl -- (Jan. 28, 2010) -- In case you haven't been following a lot of news out of the Senior Bowl this week in Mobile, Ala., defensive tackle Dan Williams continues to improve his draft stock. Not that it should be a major surprise.
Class of 2010 Team Football Recruiting Rankings -- (Jan. 27, 2010) -- When Lane Kiffin left the Vols to coach the Trojans, it sent a Tennessee class that was poised to jump into the top five reeling. New Vols coach Derek Dooley has said and done all the right things so far.
Under new management -- (Jan. 27, 2010) -- It was a wild offseason with many of the nation's top programs making coaching changes. With one week until national signing day, here's how some of these programs are faring under new leadership:
All-SEC recruiting rankings (defense) -- (Jan. 27, 2010) -- Now we’ll take a look at this season’s All-SEC defensive players and where they were ranked coming into the league. South Carolina’s Eric Norwood, a three-time All-SEC selection, had 78 players ranked ahead of him in the state of Georgia alone in 2006.
Volquest.com reports Kiffin picked up recruit in limo -- (Jan. 22, 2010) -- Lane Kiffin has only been the USC head football coach for 10 days and has already committed his first secondary violation. WOW, what a bozo...
Tennessee coach Derek Dooley playing catch-up
CommercialAppeal.com -- (Jan. 22, 2010) -- When new University of Tennessee football assistant Terry Joseph showed up just across the Mississippi border this week to visit highly touted Olive Branch High offensive linemen Shon Coleman and Damien Robinson, he had to take a deep breath.
Wilson not surprised by Lane Kiffin's exit
JacksonSun.com -- (Jan. 22, 2010) -- Wilson, who was a Vols team captain in 1998 when they won the national championship, said he was not surprised when Lane Kiffin announced he was leaving to take the head coaching job at Southern California, but he was surprised that his stay in Knoxville was as brief as it was.
Hialeah coach impressed with Dooley -- (Jan. 21, 2010) -- Berman said he was particularly impressed with Dooley’s plan to rebuild UT’s football program. That plan involves recruiting two Hialeah prospects who Dooley met: defensive linemen Corey Lemonier and Calvin Smith.
Coach Derek Dooley recruiting in Florida today -- (Jan. 21, 2010) -- Tennessee isn't letting a talented pair of defensive linemen go elsewhere without a fight. UT head coach Derek Dooley is scheduled to be at Hialeah (Fla.) High School to visit with Calvin Smith and Corey Lemonier.
Kiffin never had Tennessee driver's license -- (Jan. 21, 2010) -- Former football coach Lane Kiffin drove back and forth daily between the University of Tennessee and a $2.6 million house in West Knox County for more than a year without a Tennessee driver's license.
Vols continue search for new coaches -- (Jan. 21, 2010) -- KNOXVILLE -- A whirlwind week of University of Tennessee football coaching news temporarily halted Wednesday, as first-year head coach Derek Dooley continued his pursuit of a defensive coordinator.
Vols pick up late commitment from 4 star WR -- (Jan. 20, 2010) -- Late Breaking News:InsideTennessee.com has confirmed that four-star wideout Justin Hunter committed to Tennessee late Tuesday night. It appears that a home visit from UT coaches is all it took. New Head Coach Derek Dooley proves he can close the deal, by reeling in one of the top wideouts in the country.
Jets' Ellis expected to play despite broken hand -- (Jan. 19, 2010) -- The former Tennessee Vols star left the game in the first quarter, but returned with the hand wrapped in a cast. Jets head coach Rex Ryan said Monday that it's broken, "but we're going to let him think it's no big deal."
Senior Bowl to include 25 from the SEC -- (Jan. 19, 2010) -- The SEC will have 25 players on the South roster in the Under Armour Senior Bowl this year. That's more than any other conference in the country. Of the 25 SEC representatives in this year’s game, 10 landed on All-American lists this season and 21 were named to All-SEC squads.
Rams lose receivers coach Baggett to University of Tennessee
StLToday.com -- (Jan. 18, 2010) -- St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo will have at least one new assistant coach on his 2010 staff. That’s because wide receivers coach Charlie Baggett has left the Rams. He’s heading to the University of Tennessee where he will be an assistant head coach.
UT looking into former coaches' contact with UT commitments -- (Jan. 18, 2010) -- “We are looking into it and if there is action to be taken, certainly we will,” Hamilton said via text message to the News Sentinel on Monday. “At this point, anything else would be speculative.” Current employees of the athletic department will be scrutinized. Hamilton said.
Ex-Vol Smith says he knew early Dooley would coach -- (Jan. 18, 2010) -- “Really smart with the game,” Smith said on the News Sentinel’s radio show, The Sports Page, on Monday when asked to describe Dooley, who was a childhood friend in Athens, Ga. “Understood the X’s and O’s way before his time. He always seemed like he’d be a coach one day.
Vince Dooley in orange? -- (Jan. 17, 2010) -- Orange isn't a color you'll find in Vince Dooley's wardrobe. But what would you expect from a man whose statue sits just outside the Vince Dooley Athletic Complex at the University of Georgia. But now that Derek Dooley is head coach at Tennessee, that might chance a little. But only a little.
Vols fans should like what they see in Derek Dooley
CommercialAppeal.com -- (Jan. 16, 2010) -- Here was the new coach's chance. He could take a shot at the despised Lane Kiffin. Dooley passed. "I'm going to leave that with y'all," he said. "If you're going to look for sound bites and things from me that's going to attack other programs and disparage people, that's just not who I am."
Applause followed.
Perno confident Dooley will win -- (Jan. 16, 2010) -- Though he admits he is biased, Perno believes Tennessee got the right guy and that Dooley's 17-20 record in three years at Louisiana Tech and his 4-8 mark this past season should not be viewed as negatives. Seven of the eight teams to defeat Tech played in bowl games.
Jacques Smith planning to talk to Dooley -- (Jan. 16, 2010) -- Smith said he doesn't know much about new Tennessee coach Derek Dooley but expects to talk to him this weekend to get a feel for the team's defensive philosophy. He said he still considers himself a Tennessee commitment, but because of the uncertainty surrounding the program, also is considering offers from Alabama and LSU now.
Dooley's Message Finds Mark with Players -- (Jan. 16, 2010) -- "I think any time you're hurt -- I'm just going to be honest, I think that's how our football team feels from what happened in the past couple days -- you're looking for someone to encourage you and tell you that things are going to be OK," Reveiz said.
Dooley promises integrity and class -- (Jan. 15, 2010) -- “Tennessee is the essence of college football,” said Dooley, dressed in a black suit with a orange tie, before a press conference tonight at the Peyton Manning Locker Room Complex at Neyland Stadium.
Cutcliffe to remain Duke's coach -- (Jan. 15, 2010) -- Cutcliffe's withdrawal from the search follows that of Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, the Longhorns' head coach-in-waiting, who turned down a lucrative offer from Tennessee, sources close to the situation told ESPN.com.
Cutcliffe Reportedly Headed To Tennessee -- (Jan. 15, 2010) -- Conflicting media reports from Greensboro and Chapel Hill NC have all named David Cutcliffe as the 22nd head coach at Tennessee. WFMY-TV in Greensboro and WCHY in Chapel Hill are reporting that Duke head football
Chris Walker DE coming back for his senior year -- (Jan. 15, 2010) -- KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Chris Walker didn't need to know who the next head coach will before decided to come back for his senior season. The Tennessee junior defensive end thought about going pro, but told WBIR Thursday night that he is coming back to UT for his senior season.
UT moving ahead to fill football post -- (Jan. 14, 2010) -- "From my perspective, it is a blip on the radar," said Gov. Phil Bredesen, who also is chairman of the University of Tennessee's board of trustees. "I'm sure that UT will find a fine new football coach and all will be well.
Should Fulmer replace Hamilton? -- (Jan. 14, 2010) -- Amazing, too, how quickly you can go from being the toast of Big Orange Nation -- which Hamilton was in many eyes after hiring Lane Kiffin to go along with basketball coach Bruce Pearl -- to just plain toast.
Local Tennessee fans feel betrayed by Kiffin -- (Jan. 14, 2010) -- Less than 12 hours after Lane Kiffin left the University of Tennessee, local Tennessee fans knew exactly how they felt about the former Vols football coach.
Vols facing recruit challenges -- (Jan. 14, 2010) -- "The main thing for me is just worrying about my players," Miller said. "Supposedly, when you go off to another school, they promise to take care of them and do the things that I was doing for them when they were here.
SEC officials quiet on Kiffin -- (Jan. 14, 2010) -- "The league and Tennessee have a long history of success," Bloom said. "Tennessee will find a high-quality football coach and move forward. They've got so much going for them, from the facility and tradition and history and fan support, but it is a tough spot for them."
Huesman: Kiffin’s act ‘ridiculous’ -- (Jan. 14, 2010) -- “I think he’s a complete idiot,” he said, later clarifying that he meant Kiffin was an idiot to leave the Vols after one season. That’s my personal opinion and you can write any of that you want.
Area recruits left in limbo -- (Jan. 14, 2010) -- The two players returned from each visit more excited about specific coaches they had talked with than their overall impression of the program.
USC Welcomes Kiffin, and Deals With Questions
NYTimes.com -- (Jan. 13, 2010) -- LOS ANGELES — When Lane Kiffin left Tennessee, students burned mattresses and threw debris at cars. He received a much more welcoming reception Wednesday when he was introduced as the new coach of Southern California.
Kiffin’s Departure Leaves Resentment and Uncertainty
NYTimes.com -- (Jan. 13, 2010) -- KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The charred remains of a Lane Kiffin orange T-shirt lay in the gutter outside the Tennessee football complex. The crowd that had gathered here Tuesday night to taunt the former Volunteers coach was long gone by Wednesday.
Tennessee will be better off without Kiffin -- (Jan. 13, 2010) -- I’m sorry I am going to be out of the country for the next few weeks because what eventually happens at Tennessee is going to be fascinating. The next few weeks, even perhaps he next few months, are probably not going to be a lot of fun for Tennessee fans.
Harbach Blog...UT Will Be OK -- (Jan. 13, 2010) -- In one day the University of Tennessee football program has been turned on its head with former Head Coach Lane Kiffin taking over at Southern Cal. My immediate reaction to this was that Kiffin took the easier job.
Kiffin out, recruits dropping, students angry -- (Jan. 13, 2010) -- KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The fallout is already being felt, with student protests, commitments to the Vols dropping, and players shocked and outraged. Rivals.com is reporting strongside defensive end Brandon Willis will no longer be headed to Tennessee.
Pat Summitt: "No, I cannot coach football" -- (Jan. 13, 2010) -- KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Lady Vols Coach Pat Head Summitt opened her remarks at the Big Orange Tipoff Club with a joke. "No, I cannot coach football," Summitt told the gathered crowd, which responded with strong laughter.
Vols AD to move swiftly to hire coach -- (Jan. 13, 2010) -- KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Hamilton spoke at a news conference Wednesday discussing his second coaching search in less than two years after Kiffin announced Tuesday night his abrupt resignation to take the same job at USC. Kiffin, hired 14 months ago, coached one season at Tennessee and was 7-6.
Vols should move quickly on Muschamp -- (Jan. 13, 2010) -- KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton’s hope is to have a new coach hired by this weekend. And, really, with the recruiting period set to go live again Sunday, the Vols can’t afford to go much past this weekend without a coach. The sooner, the better.
Vols commit Taylor visits Gators -- (Jan. 12, 2010) -- Florida continues to have some serious momentum in recruiting. Linebacker Michael Taylor (Atlanta/Westlake), a Tennessee commit who was named the MVP of the White squad in the Under Armour All-America Game, made an official visit to the Gators over the weekend.
UT pressed to adjust off-field miscues -- (Jan. 10, 2010) -- KNOXVILLE -- Two recent incidents at UT have raised questions about whether future coaching and administrative contracts should include accountability for student athletes who don't meet off-the-field expectations.
Vols still feeling momentum -- (Jan. 8, 2010) -- "It hurts our pride that we came out in the bowl game and we didn't do very well," defensive end Chris Walker said. "But I think the coaches that we have, they're going to keep us motivated. They're going to keep us fired up.
Stars descend on San Antonio -- (Jan. 5, 2010) -- As was the case in Orlando, Fla., for the Under Armour All-American Game, plenty of Tennessee prospects have descended on San Antonio this week for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
UT adopts zero-tolerance policy -- (Jan. 4, 2010) -- Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said Monday there will be a zero-tolerance level for future gun-and-drug related incidents similar to those committed by players on the Vols' football and basketball teams during the past two months.
Athlete Dixon commits to Vols -- (Jan. 4, 2010) -- Tennessee picked up its 20th commitment of the 2010 class when recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron extended a scholarship offer to Marques Dixon from Southwest Dekalb High School in Decatur, Ga.
LSU says Chavis gets raise, will stay -- (Jan. 3, 2010) -- Georgia’s football program still doesn’t have a defensive coordinator, but the opening continues to prove lucrative for coaches pursued for the job. LSU said Thursday that its highly regarded defensive coordinator, John Chavis, received a pay raise and agreed to stay in his current job after being offered the Georgia position.
Vols in the NFL Report -- (Jan. 3, 2010) -- Former Vol safety Deon Grant had a big afternoon with 10 tackles and an interception in a loss. Tight end Jason Witten found the endzone against the Eagles, and rookie running back Arian Foster tops the century mark and had two scores in the Texans win.
Vols look ahead -- (Jan. 2, 2010) -- ATLANTA -- Thursday wasn't a particularly enjoyable night for University of Tennessee football players, coaches and fans. The Volunteers were beaten in every conceivable way during the final 30 minutes, 30 seconds of their loss to 12th-ranked Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Crompton taken to hospital with possible concussion -- (Jan. 1, 2010) -- Tennessee quarterback Jonathan Crompton left the Georgia Dome in an ambulance following the Vols' loss to Virginia Tech on Thursday night in the Chuck-fil-A Bowl at Atlanta.
Vols' Berry skipping senior year for pros -- (Jan. 1, 2010) -- ATLANTA -- Tennessee safety Eric Berry is skipping his senior season and entering the NFL draft.
Berry said after Thursday night's Chick-fil-A Bowl loss to Virginia Tech that he played his final college game.
Keys to Victory: Virginia Tech -- (Dec. 30, 2009) -- ATLANTA - Some of Tennessee's highest points on the football field this season came in defeat. Remember how the Vols were treated like victors after a 10-point loss in the Swamp to top-ranked Florida? Remember (even if you'd rather forget) how close Tennessee came to upsetting No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa?
Chick-fil-A Bowl preview -- (Dec. 30, 2009) -- Virginia Tech’s experience on the sideline – veteran Frank Beamer vs. hotshot rookie Lane Kiffin – will make a difference, and so will Williams. With Tennessee boasting safety Eric Berry, the Hokies are going to want to keep quarterback Tyrod Taylor out of third-and-long situations and win with their ground game.
Hokies giving respect to Stocker -- (Dec. 30, 2009) -- ATLANTA -- Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster thinks the UT junior already is there. "He's really one of the most outstanding tight ends, if not one of the better tight ends, if not the best tight end in college football today, in my opinion," Foster said.
UT-Virginia Tech matchup chart -- (Dec. 30, 2009) -- ATLANTA -- What follows is a position-by-position comparison of Tennessee and Virginia Tech, who collide Thursday night in the Chick fil-A Bowl:
UT Photo Gallery of Bowl Week in Atlanta -- (Dec. 30, 2009) -- ATLANTA -- We are proud to bring you a collection of photos we have shot throughout the week. From Saturday's practice through today's press conference, we at InsideTennessee.com want to bring all UT fans closer to the action.
Frank Beamer says Virginia Tech fans eager to face Vols
The Tennessean -- (Dec. 29, 2009) -- ATLANTA -- "When I was growing up, I always liked Virginia Tech and that was always my school," Beamer said Monday. "But Tennessee always seemed bigger, and it was in a lot of ways from a football standpoint."
Virginia Tech hopes to defeat SEC opponent
The Tennessean -- (Dec. 29, 2009) -- ATLANTA -- When No. 12 Virginia Tech (9-3) meets Tennessee (7-5) in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Thursday night in Atlanta, it will not only be playing for pride. It also will take up the mantle for the lagging Atlantic Coast Conference and have the opportunity to make a statement against a program from the Southeastern Conference.
Special teams a concern -- (Dec. 29, 2009) -- ATLANTA -- Electrifying quarterback Michael Vick vaulted Virginia Tech's football notoriety into nationally elite status, but "Beamerball" has probably been the most constant foundation for the Hokies' winning ways.
No new Vols coaches hired -- (Dec. 29, 2009) -- ATLANTA -- Head coach Lane Kiffin said Monday that he hasn't filled the last vacancy left on his University of Tennessee coaching staff. ESPN.com reported Sunday that Kiffin will hire Tampa Bay Buccaneers associate head coach and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia.
Bisaccia may join Vols coaching staff -- (Dec. 28, 2009) -- A college or NFL coach since 1983, Bisaccia has spent the past nine seasons with the Bucs. His link to UT surfaced Sunday in an ESPN.com story.
Jackson is happy to be back on field -- (Dec. 28, 2009) -- ATLANTA -- Janzen Jackson returned for the University of Tennessee's regular season finale at Kentucky, but the gifted freshman safety waited another month before publicly discussing the circumstances surrounding his turbulent November off the football field.
Meyer status has two Gator commitments looking again at UT -- (Dec. 28, 2009) -- Wide receiver Robert Clark and athlete Matt Elam are reconsidering their commitments to Florida because of Sunday’s news that Urban Meyer plans to take an indefinite leave of absence as the Gators’ head coach.
Vols in the NFL Report -- (Dec. 28, 2009) -- Peyton Manning hit another milestone going over the 50,000 yard passing mark for his career in a Colts loss, while linebacker Jerod Mayo put on a defensive show in New England in a Patriots rout.
Urban Meyer Press Conference Makes Everything as Clear as Swamp Water -- (Dec. 27, 2009) -- Is his family a priority or not? When you give up something you love because you have some sort of medical condition that "can cause permanent damage,'' most people sympathize. What most people don't sympathize with is some sort of back-pedaling, wishy-washy agenda.
Vols invade Georgia Aquarium -- (Dec. 27, 2009) -- ATLANTA -- The University of Tennessee Volunteers got the afternoon off here in Atlanta Sunday afternoon and got the opportunity to take in the Georgia Aquarium.
Stocker makes special catch -- (Dec. 27, 2009) -- ATLANTA -- Luke Stocker, the University of Tennessee junior tight end, proposed to fellow UT student Daine Karst at her grandparents' home shortly after midnight on Christmas morning. "Now she's my lovely fiancé. "Whoa"
Vols return to work -- (Dec. 27, 2009) -- ATLANTA -- Kiffin tolerated one less than stellar day, but he'll demand better the rest of the week as UT (7-5) prepares for a Chick-fil-A Bowl clash with 12th-ranked Virginia Tech (9-3).
Vols Arrive In Atlanta For Chick-fil-A Bowl -- (Dec. 26, 2009) -- The Vols enjoyed Christmas dinner prior to an initial short team meeting and a night of getting acclimated to downtown Atlanta. Temperatures are to range in the 50s by Thursday's 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN.
NFL: Manning reaching another milestone
JacksonSun.com -- (Dec. 24, 2009) -- INDIANAPOLIS - Breaking John Unitas' franchise record for wins, passing Fran Tarkenton for third on the career TD list, moving past Warren Moon and John Elway for third on the career completions chart? All part of the job.
Senior Bowl loaded with SEC players -- (Dec. 24, 2009) -- The 2010 Senior Bowl will have a definite SEC flavor. Already, 10 SEC players have been announced as participants. The latest two were Tennessee teammates Montario Hardesty and Dan Williams.
Hardesty keeps focus on team -- (Dec. 24, 2009) -- KNOXVILLE -- Guard Jacques McClendon knows exactly how many yards fellow senior Montario Hardesty needs to tie Travis Stephens' University of Tennessee single-season rushing record.
"Derek is a very articulate, bright guy. He's a great coach and a hard-working guy. He was always a very good recruiter in college, which I think is paramount if you're going to have success as a college coach."
-- Nick Saban, University of Alabama Head Football Coach
"Derek is exactly what I hoped he would be. As far as I am concerned, he has exceeded everyone's expectations, including the 65,000 alumni (at Louisiana Tech). He is making people stand up and take notice of Louisiana Tech.
What we have is a man who has a vision for this program and this university; he wants to make it something special. He has a plan. It is an energetic, aggressive plan, and I could not be more proud to have him as our AD and our football coach."
-- Terry Bradshaw, former Louisiana Tech and Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback, on Dooley's tenure at Louisiana Tech
"Coach Dooley is such a bright person. He's made me a better person on and off the field. He's made me focus every day on every aspect of the game. As a coach, he makes you the best player you can possibly be. He'll coach you like you've never been coached, and he'll push you to your maximum potential. He is a phenomenal teacher."
-- Randy McMichael, St. Louis Rams Tight End
"He's the kind of coach that's got a lot of energy, and he's somebody that you can relate to on a personal level. He's great at giving advice while being upbeat at the same time. There aren't many coaches that will let you have fun while getting the job done at the same time. He has the ability to get that out of you."
-- Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts Running Back
"I really admire and look up to him. Not only is he a great coach, but he is a great man. He comes from a background of tradition of winning, and he represents what you expect from in a coach. You can believe and fully trust him. He is a high-character man and a player's coach."
-- Robert Royal, Cleveland Browns Tight End
Here's the new Desktop Themes you been waiting for! This was specially made for the UT Vols fans. The resolution is 1024 X 768. Bring the sights and sounds of UT Vols to your computer with the University of Tennessee Football and the Indianapolis Colts themes from Smokey's Trail. After you download the Zip file, unzip it and double click on the [University of Tennessee Football (high color).exe] or the [Indianapolis Colts Theme.exe] files, and setup will put the files automatically in your Microsoft Plus Themes folder. If you don't have a folder named Plus!, just make one in Program Files directory or use this utility, it will make it for you: Desktop Folders Utility Enjoy
Da’Rick Rogers-Bacarri Rambo war of words
By Tim Tucker
Feb. 8, 2010
Oct. 9 continues to loom larger. That’s the date of the Georgia-Tennessee football game, which became the most compelling on UGA’s 2010 schedule the moment Derek Dooley was named the Vols’ coach. Now, there’s the added storyline of Da’Rick Rogers, the Calhoun High wide receiver who broke a 7-month commitment to Georgia to sign with Tennessee last week, potentially playing against the Dogs and encountering UGA safety Bacarri Rambo.
Rogers and Rambo have been going at it a bit on Facebook and Twitter since last week. It started with a Facebook status update by Rambo, who wrote: “Bacarri Rambo thinks [it] is messed up how all of UGA high school commitments back out on us but I’m telling you now when I catch you on the field I’m going to knock fire from you.” Rogers responded Saturday on Twitter: “Who is Bacarri Rambo?” Then from Rambo on Twitter: “Tell Darick ‘pretty boy’ Rogers he doesn’t have to know me but I bet he will feel me!! Lol” Then from Rogers: “don’t worry about me ha … that’s your choice … last time i checked a big hit =’s you getting knocked out.” FULL STORY >>
Tracy Porter’s fourth-quarter interception that he returned for a touchdown sealed the Saints’ victory.
Saints overcome early deficit, stop Colts late to seal victory
By Feb. 7, 2010
MIAMI, Fla. -- Who Dat won the Super Bowl? The New Orleans Saints, that's who. Ain't kidding.
Put away those paper bags forever: Drew Brees and the Saints are NFL champions, rallying to upset Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 Sunday night in one of pro football's most thrilling title games. Brees tied a Super Bowl record with 32 completions, the last a 2-yard slant to Jeremy Shockey for the winning points with 5:42 remaining. The Pro Bowl quarterback was chosen Super Bowl MVP.
"We just believed in ourselves and we knew that we had an entire city and maybe an entire country behind us," Brees said. "What can I say? I tried to imagine what this moment would be like for a long time and it's better than expected." A surprise onside kick sparked the Saints' second-half comeback. Their 25th-ranked defense made several key stops, and Tracy Porter's 74-yard interception return on a pass from Manning, of all people, clinched it. FULL STORY >>
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning
Peyton's Place in history
By Craig Barnes
Feb. 7, 2010
QB in high demand expects another super performance
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Two journalists surveyed the risers in the interview area at the Harbor Beach Marriott on Monday in anticipation of the Indianapolis Colts' arrival for Super Bowl XLIV. "No Peyton," one said of quarterback Peyton Manning. "He must be going to the main podium," the other answered. "That is what is going on."
If Manning goes anywhere but the main podium, he is usually surrounded by questioners. They were three deep on media day, and literally fought for position at one point. His star shines brighter than anyone in the game. And a win today (TV: WVLT, 6:30 p.m.) against the New Orleans Saints in Miami will only add to the former University of Tennessee star's legacy. He used secure entrances except on media day when he was mobbed. He took 60-80 questions per media session. Security and public relations people were always close. FULL STORY >>
The power of friendship cannot be underestimated in the decisions of Calhoun's Nash Nance (left) and Da'Rick Rogers to sign with Tennessee.
Nance’s friendship main reason Da’Rick Rogers now with Vols
By Chip Towers
Feb. 6, 2010
It requires some context to understand Da’Rick Rogers’ decision to leave Georgia at the altar on the eve of national signing day and follow his best friend Nash Nance to Tennessee. And make no mistake about it — Nance and his family are the primary reason Rogers signed with the Vols. “The power of friendship is huge,” Rogers told the AJC’s Bob Andres after he signed his letter-of-intent with UT on Wednesday.
Despite coming from divergent backgrounds, Rogers and Nance are indeed the best of friends. They met while they were attending the Darlington School, a private boarding school in Rome. “We’re pretty much like brothers, black and white brothers,” Rogers said in a previous interview with the AJC. Said Nance: “He’s more like a brother than a friend. I’ll always be there for him.” That close relationship extends to the Nance family, which happens to be one of the most successful and affluent families in Calhoun-Gordon County. FULL STORY >>
Derek Dooley's demeanor impresses
By David Climer • THE TENNESSEAN
Feb. 6, 2010
Derek Dooley's first public appearance in Nashville as the University of Tennessee's football coach Thursday was memorable as much for what he didn't say as what he did say. He didn't diss Florida Coach Urban Meyer. He didn't vow to sing Rocky Top all night long after beating (insert rival here). He didn't accuse anybody of cheating — falsely or otherwise.
He didn't call out the competition. Oh, but he did refer to Alabama Coach Nick Saban, one of his mentors and his former boss, as simply "Nick." Don't know how that's going to fly when word gets to Tuscaloosa, but I guess it'll have to do for now. "I like to stay under the radar a little bit," Dooley told a gathering of Vols fans at the Nashville Convention Center. Of course, that was not the style of Dooley's predecessor, Lane Kiffin. At a similar public appearance in February 2009, Kiffin charged Meyer with cheating for calling a prospect while he was on his official visit to UT. The video clip of Kiffin's shot at Meyer prompted Avatar-like viewership around the South. FULL STORY >>
UT hires Chuck Smith to coach defensive line
By Dave Hooker
Feb. 5, 2010
Tennessee’s football program and new coach Derek Dooley called on an old friend to complete their coaching staff. Former UT player Chuck Smith was officially hired to coach the defensive line on Friday. That’s not the only tie; Smith and Dooley played together at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Ga., during the 1980s. “I want to thank Mike Hamilton and President Jan Simek for running UT like a first-class organization and bringing Derek in,” said Smith in a statement released by UT. “I know exactly the kind of character Derek has and exactly the kind of football coach he is.”
Smith, 40, spent last season with the New York Jets as a pass rush specialist. Jets coach Rex Ryan first hired Smith for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 when Ryan was defensive coordinator. Before entering the NFL, Smith built his coaching reputation as a defensive line specialist, working with defensive linemen for his company, Defensive Line Inc. Smith has worked with approximately 60 NFL players during the last five seasons. FULL STORY >>
Abandonment
By Gabe Correa - Smokey' Trail
Feb. 5, 2010
Abandonment: To give up completely, forsake or desert
Most fans in Tennessee like me thought we were in dire straits and rightly so. To my recall, I don’t think anybody has done what Lane Kiffin has done to a major university at the worst time [abandonment]. What seemed impossible to save a crumbling staff and defecting players on and after Jan. 12th seemed hopeless! It felt like somebody stabbed you in the gut, and your heart felt like you have been deceived by somebody you thought you knew.
Then I realized this guy wasn’t Tennessee, because the way he presented himself in the SEC. We are not the mouth of the south, and that big bad boy attitude with secondary violations left and right. We are the folklore in football with great traditions, pride, decently, integrity, discipline, courage, heart, hardnosed, hardworking, and gut playing UT football, “This is Tennessee” in all its glory. Like the days of Neyland who lead his troops to battle on and off the field. We show it on the field of play, not with your mouth. FULL STORY >>
More: Vols signing day: Smokey and the bandit
By Wes Rucker
Feb. 4, 2010
KNOXVILLE -- Derek Dooley inherited an almost impossible situation nearly three weeks ago. Relatively speaking, though, Wednesday's national signing day was nearly perfect for Dooley. The University of Tennessee's new football coach stood behind a podium underneath Neyland Stadium on Wednesday night, and his grin suggested his Volunteers had just won a Southeastern Conference game.
UT, nearly three weeks removed from its second coaching change in 15 months, signed a recruiting class widely considered one of the nation's 10 best. Rivals.com and ESPN.com ranked the Vols' class ninth nationally. Scout.com ranked it No. 15. "Nineteen days on the job, and it feels like it's been already two years," Dooley said. "When I got here, it's sort of an understatement to say the program was a little bit in a fragile state. FULL STORY >>
Defensive Coordinator Justin Wilcox
Vols Name Wilcox to Defensive Coordinator's Position
By University of Tennessee
Feb. 3, 2010
Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley turned Wednesday into his own version of national signing day by naming one of the nation's rising stars his new defensive coordinator. Justin Wilcox comes to the Vols from Boise State, where for the last four seasons he served as defensive coordinator and helped the Broncos blast their way into the elite of college football. In 2009, Boise State completed a perfect 14-0 season with a Fiesta Bowl victory over TCU. That victory lifted Boise State's record to 49-4 in four seasons with Wilcox at the defensive helm under head coach Chris Petersen.
"It's an unbelievable opportunity," Wilcox said of his Tennessee assignment. "I'm really humbled to be considered and for Coach Dooley to offer me the job. Boise State is an incredible place and I really wasn't looking to leave there. All this happened pretty fast. "But after talking with Coach Dooley and a couple of the other coaches, and getting a feel for the way he wants to model the program and a lot of the philosophies he has, I just felt like it was a great opportunity at an unbelievable place in terms of the tradition. I think it's just one of those things that was too good to pass up and I'm excited to be here." FULL STORY >>
Tennessee hires Wilcox
By ESPN.com news services
Feb. 3, 2010
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Two weeks after taking the job, Tennessee coach Derek Dooley announced he is hiring Boise State's Justin Wilcox to be his defensive coordinator. The 33-year-old Wilcox has spent the last four seasons at Boise State, leading the Western Athletic Conference in total defense and scoring defense each year. The Broncos were 14th nationally in total defense last season, as they went 14-0 and beat TCU in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
Wilcox played defensive back for Oregon from 1995-99 and has also worked as an assistant at California. He said the Tennessee job was "too good to pass up." Wilcox will succeed longtime NFL coordinator Monte Kiffin. Boise State announced that defensive line coach Pete Kwiatkowski will replace Wilcox as the Broncos' defensive coordinator. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. FULL STORY >>
Calhoun High School quarterback Nash Nance, left, and running back Da'Rick Rogers both committed to the University of Tennessee today.
Rogers, Stone, Hunter sign with Vols
By News Sentinel staff
Feb. 3, 2010
Lane Kiffin and his top recruiter, Ed Orgeron, did their share of damage to the UT class, picking up Markeith Ambles and linebacker Glen Stanley.
The Vols were hoping to make a receiver connection in the 2010 signing class and while the dust was settling today on National Football Signing Day it appears they had a completion. Top receivers Da’Rick Rogers, 6-3, 215, from Calhoun (GA.) High School and Justin Hunter, 6-5, 180, of Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Va., signed with Tennessee. Leaving the defection of Markeith Ambles to Southern Cal almost painless. The Vols already have 6-6 Matt Milton and Ted Meline on campus as mid-term enrollees.
Tennessee also picked up one of the nation’s top linemen in James Stone, 6-5, 300 pounds from Maplewood High School in Nashville. The Vols signed 17 to bring the list to 25 signees counting the eight mid-term enrollees already in school. Head coach Derek Dooley’s press conference concerning the signing class is set for 5 p.m. today at Neyland Stadium. FULL STORY >>
Minor senior defensive end Raiques Crump wraps up Mountain Brook quarterback Chris Branch (12) in a file photo from last season. Crump was made a verbal commitment to Tennessee to accept a scholarship to play football. He is set to sign with the Volunteers on Wednesday's National Signing Day at the school.
LB Crump commits to Vols
By Jeff Sentell -- The Birmingham News
Feb. 3, 2010
The door of opportunity swung wide open for Raiques Crump, and he didn't hesitate. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound linebacker from Minor High School in Adamsville, Ala. replaced a departed commitment when he agreed to accept the scholarship offer he had long coveted, a source close to his recruitment said Tuesday. Crump was a backup prospect for linebacker Ralph Williams from Southridge High School in Miami. Williams had been committed to UT but is now expected to sign with Ole Miss.
The News rated him the No. 30 prospect in the state among the Class of 2010. Cook compared Crump favorably to Minor alums Brandon Johnson and Kenneth Hollis. Hollis started 16 games at LSU. Johnson starred at Louisville and has four years in the NFL. He started three games and had 58 tackles for the Cincinnati Bengals this year. "Crump is the best defensive player we've had at Minor in my 10 years," Cook said. "He's better than Johnson and Hollis were in high school. I have no doubt. I could never fault that kid for his motor. He was wide open always at all times." FULL STORY >>
Five-star WR Da'Rick Rogers
Five-star Rogers to sign with Vols
By Steve Phillips
Feb. 3, 2010
The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Calhoun, Georgia, five-star wide receiver Da'Rick Rogers has changed his mind and will sign with Tennessee on Wednesday. Rogers and teammate Nash Nance made an official visit on January 23, and then both returned to the UT campus on an unofficial visit to attend the Vols basketball game with Florida. By then, Nance had already committed to Tennessee.
The newspaper's online story quotes another Georgia recruit as saying Rogers had informed him of his decision to sign with the Vols in a 9:45 a.m. ceremony at his school. Rogers is rated the number two receiver and the number nine best player overall by Rivals.com. If the report is accurate, he would be UT's 25th commitment and its only five-star player. WBIR.com/Atlanta Journal Constitution FULL STORY >>
Justin Wilcox
UT to hire Boise State's defensive coordinator
By Austin Ward
Feb. 3, 2010
A new name has emerged in the search for Tennessee’s new defensive coordinator. It might be the last one that comes up based on reports from media outlets covering Boise State. According to television station WBOI2, Broncos coordinator Justin Wilcox, 33, interviewed with the Vols and had “a done deal” to take over the defense for coach Derek Dooley. A UT official said Tuesday there were no plans to announce a hiring, and there has also been no indication from the program that Dooley has made one.
The Vols were expected to wait until after today’s National Signing Day to complete their coaching staff, so word of a potential deal with Wilcox was surprising for multiple reasons. Assistants are typically unlikely to move so close to the most important day on the recruiting calendar, and Wilcox also is a somewhat unknown candidate. FULL STORY >>
Tennessee Vols Football: National Signing Day Primer
By Joel Barker
Feb. 2, 2010
So, so, SO much has been written and said about Tennessee in the last two weeks. And chances are you wont see anything new in this story. But with just one day remaining until National Signing Day you need to know exactly where Tennessee stands with recruits. Lucky for you, that's why I write about our beloved Vols. In the three short weeks since Derek Dooley has taken control of a quickly sinking Big Orange boat, things have turned out much better than expected.
According to the news that has leaked out of Knoxville (a much rarer occurence under Dooley the Sabanite as compared to the loose-lipped Kiffin regime), things are actually going quite swimingly. Sure there's that issue of needing a defensive coaching staff, but the staff that is in place, including two Kiffin holdovers (Jim Chaney and Lance Thompson) is definitely holding their own in the SEC recruiting wars. FULL STORY >>
Former Vols Manning, Lewis Named to 2000s NFL All-Decade Team
By University of Tennessee
Feb. 1, 2010
The NFL's annual Pro Bowl is a celebration of the season's best. The 2010 version also was a chance to honor some of the decade's biggest stars. Twelve players selected to the 2000s NFL All-Decade Team competed in the Pro Bowl before a sellout crowd Sunday at Sun Life Stadium in Miami. All-stars from the Super Bowl-competing teams didn't participate in the Pro Bowl, but most of them attended the game and were honored as part of the pregame festivities.
Three of those players also were selected to the All-Decade Team: quarterback Peyton Manning and defensive end Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts and safety Darren Sharper of the New Orleans Saints. The NFL All-Decade teams are chosen every 10 years by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee members. The 2000s marked the ninth All-Decade team to be selected in NFL history. FULL STORY >>
Let us know what you think, and we hope to be bringing these to you on a regular basis.
Check Out 3SIB's National Signing Day Podcast from Sunday Night
By Oskie
Feb. 1, 2010
We had a blast doing it, and we hope you all enjoy. We talked about nearly all of our early enrollees, current commits, and guys left on the board. You'll find out which quarterback is "sneaky mobile" and which big man has hands like "peach baskets." Learn which player Ghost said, "He's got some bad weight ... that needs to be redistributed."
We even have a few tidbits of hot-off-the-presses news regarding guys like Markeith Ambles, Da'Rick Rogers, and Glen Stanley. You'll also hear who the 3SIB recruiting gurus think are the sleeper picks and the most important recruits in the class. BDLC, in what was the line of the podcast, also talked briefly about the importance of getting our in-state Tennessee players to Knoxville: "Nothing sells the Tennessee program to the Tennessee faithful like Tennessee football players." Well spoken. Bear with it - it takes a while to buffer! FULL STORY >>
What will UGA fans make of ‘Dooley’s Vols’?
By Bill King
Jan. 31, 2010
As college football rivalries go, the one between UGA and Tennessee doesn’t have a lot of history (they didn’t play for many years) and it has never had the intensity of Georgia-Florida, or the sibling-like feel of Georgia-Auburn and the season-ending meeting with Tech. And yet the rivalry with the Vols is the only one in modern memory that saw UGA fans tear down the goal posts in Athens after a win, and it produced one of Larry Munson’s most memorable calls in Knoxville.
I got to thinking about the nature of that rivalry after my son raised the question of how having Vince Dooley’s son Derek as the UT head coach might change how UGA fans view Tennessee. Certainly, Dooley, who grew up in Athens, played and got his undergrad degree at Virginia and received his law degree from UGA, won’t be the obvious villain in fans’ eyes that loudmouthed Lane Kiffin aspired to be. FULL STORY >>
LB John Propst, DB Dave Clark and Dontavis Sapp committed to the Vols Sunday
Tennessee picked up at three commitments on Sunday. Defensive backs Dave Clark and Dontavis Sapp along with linebacker John Propst told the News Sentinel they committed during their official visit this weekend. Clark could fill an immediate need for UT. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound safety from Independence Community College will find a vastly different secondary than the Vols boasted last season since All-American safety Eric Berry and cornerback Dennis Rogan skipped their senior seasons to enter the NFL draft.
“Basically, the playing time is going to be up to me and what I do in practice,” said Clark, who picked the Vols over Louisiana Tech, Colorado and Memphis. Sapp could also benefit from UT’s immediate need in the defensive backfield. The 6-3, 205-pound safety from Valdosta (Ga.) High School had been committed to East Carolina since December, but jumped at the chance when UT came calling. FULL STORY >>
Propst is the nephew of former Hoover coach Russ Propst
Three Commitments ... So Far
By Ghost of Neyland
Jan. 31, 2010
While all Tennessee fans wait, watch and wonder about whether or not the Vols will finish this recruiting class with the big names such as offensive linemen James Stone and Damien Robinson, wide receivers Da'Rick Rogers and Markeith Ambles or defensive tackle commit J.C. Copeland ... new head coach Derek Dooley secured three key pieces Sunday.
Follow up: The Tennessee Scout site and Volquest are reporting that four-star junior college cornerback Dave Clark -- a physical, 6-foot-2 defensive back with offers from Kansas, Colorado, Louisiana Tech and Memphis -- has committed to Tennessee. Also, a late addition to this weekend's visitors, 6-foot-2, 215-pound three-star linebacker John Propst of Hoover (Ala.) High School also gave UT his pledge. Propst was the leading tackler in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game and a very intelligent player who was committed to West Virginia for much of the recruiting season. FULL STORY >>
Chicago Bears offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, center, watches the play of his offensive line. He will take over the Vols offensive line after doing so for the last five years with the Chicago Bears in addition to 17 years in college in a similar capacity.
Bears offensive line coach Hiestand joins UT's coaching staff
By Austin Ward
Jan. 31, 2010
Bennie Wylie named strength coach for the Vols
The defensive staff might not be done until after National Signing Day this week. But the Tennessee offense is complete, and one day after Aaron Ausmus left for Southern California, the Vols have somebody to lead their workouts as well. Coach Derek Dooley reached deals with assistant Harry Hiestand and new strength coach Bennie Wylie on Saturday night, leaving only two holes left on his first staff at UT.
“It’s an exciting opportunity,” Hiestand said in a statement release by Tennessee. “Being around campus and being around coach Dooley and the staff that’s there, you can tell it’s a place committed to doing the right thing, winning football games and having quality people. “I’m excited to be a part of what Coach Dooley’s putting together there.” Dooley is still lacking a couple important pieces at this point, though a defensive coordinator and defensive line coach are unlikely to be announced until later this week. FULL STORY >>
Lane Kiffin Sewage Center
By Dan Scofield
Jan. 30, 2010
One of the greatest ways to honor someone is to dedicate a building, facility, or monument in that person's name. Peyton Manning Pass, Neyland Stadium, and Phillip Fulmer Way are all dedicated to past Volunteer greats. However, after abandoning Tennessee in the middle of the night for the West Coast, Lane Kiffin just wants the memory of him down south to be erased. Knoxville attorney Drew McElroy filed paperwork with the Knoxville City Council's Public Properties and Facilities Naming Committee in order to rename the facility after the "garbage-like" Kiffin. MeElory chose a short, yet strong, name: The "Lane Kiffin Sewage Center". Most Volunteer fans think it has a nice ring to it.
"I think it'd be very fitting. He's definitely garbage," said UT Student Paul Mills. Now that the application has been sent in and Vol nation anxiously waits in order to hear back from the city council, other fans are beginning to think along the same lines with them. There are plenty of bad feelings going around college football nowadays. How about naming a building to make a statement about your current or former head coaches' glaring flaw or bump in the road? Here would be the newest requests for a name change, or even a new construction project, in order to do just that.
Ausmus leaving UT for USC
By Kris Budden
Jan. 30, 2010
Goodbye, and don't trip on your way-out... Remember what Monte Kiffin said: "You can't go wrong coming to Tennessee". These guys heart was never here. That said; we want people that love Tennessee as much as we do. We are a proud people that love our program and trust those in position to make the right decisions. This is Tennessee with great traditions, and we support our beloved Vols. [Gabe Correa - Smokey's Trail]
Another member of Tennessee's football staff is leaving Tennessee to join Lane Kiffin's staff. Volquest.com is reporting that head strength and conditioning coach Aaron Ausmus is leaving for the University of Southern California.
Ausmus is a Tennessee graduate and was a standout on the Vols' track and field team in the mid-90's.
Prior to coming to Tennessee worked for Ed Orgeron at Ole Miss. He has also worked at Southern California from 2001-2003. Volquest.com FULL STORY >>
Five Vols in All-Star Play This Weekend
By University of Tennessee
Jan. 29, 2010
Senior Bowl and Texas vs. The Nation Games Saturday Afternoon
Five Tennessee footballers who recently completed their collegiate careers are participating Saturday in a pair of all-star competitions. Jonathan Crompton and Vladimir Richard are suiting up for the Texas vs. The Nation contest from El Paso (noon Mountain, NFL Network), while Morgan Cox, Chris Scott and Dan Williams are playing in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. (3 p.m. Central, CBS College Sports).
Crompton is coming off an outstanding senior season. He finished third in the SEC in passing yards per game, completing 58.3 percent of his throws for exactly 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns against only 13 interceptions. His passing yardage total was the eighth best season mark in Tennessee history. Richard started three games this season for the Vols and finished with nine career starts. He was part of an offensive line rotation that allowed only 12 sacks during the regular season and sparked teammate Montario Hardesty to a career-high 1,345 rushing yards. FULL STORY >>
Senior Bowl 2010: Top 10 Non-First Round Seniors with NFL Star Potential
By Joel Barker
Jan. 29, 2010
I have to believe that this is the most hyped Senior Bowl that I have ever witnessed. In times past the Senior Bowl was just another meaningless college all-star game. Now the game has evolved into NFL Combine Jr. It has become an all week event in which college seniors are poked, prodded, and portrayed as future NFL stars or busts.
Unless you have been hiding a rock for the last few years, you should understand that the NFL Draft in April will not consist of seniors only. This season the vast majority of first round difference makers are going to be underclassmen. In my humble opinion that's where the added hype of this year's Senior Bowl event lies (other than that Tebow guy, that is). The added importance of these seniors making an early mark in the scouting process has increased the level of scrutiny and coverage on this game. FULL STORY >>
Paving His Own In-Roads
By Ghost of Neyland
Jan. 29, 2010
His last name conjures images of football royalty in the South, but new Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley is still cloaked in obscurity to his own fanbase. We search radio website archives frantically for soundbytes. We scramble for the remote control to watch a short clip of him on television. We scour the Internet for any morsel of information on the New Face of Tennessee Football, just hoping to glean any feeling of what to expect.
Follow up: What kind of offense will we run? Are we going to implement a 3-4 defense? Who's going to round out the coaching staff? Does he know what he's doing by offering a scholarship to this player? What can we expect from a coach, who, after all, went 4-8 at Louisiana Tech last year? Is he a disciplinarian? Will he coach like Nick Saban the way he sounds like him? Questions abound. Answers aren't found. At least, not yet. When you are forced to hit the ground running the way Dooley and his skeleton crew coaching staff have done the past two weeks -- that's what happens when your mercenary coach bolts for sunny Southern California less than a month before National Signing Day -- the fanbase is left wondering. FULL STORY >>
Dooley convinces QB Nance to switch to Vols
By Dave Hooker
Jan. 28, 2010
UT will wait to see if star WR Rogers joins ex-Vanderbilt commitment
Nash Nance always liked Tennessee — just from afar. Truth be told, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound quarterback from Calhoun (Ga.) High School may have committed to play for the Vols even earlier, had it not been for the way he was recruited by UT’s former staff. Nance got a strong feeling that former UT recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron (who left UT with former coach Lane Kiffin for Southern California earlier this month) wanted Nance and his good friend, highly touted receiver Da’Rick Rogers, as a package deal.
That wasn’t the case when newly hired UT coach Derek Dooley came calling. “In my opinion,” Nance wrote Thursday in a text message to the News Sentinel, “the Vol Nation has a new head coach with integrity, extreme drive to be successful and a common man that all young athletes will relate to and will love going to battle with every Saturday. “… I am so relieved and blessed to have this opportunity to play football for the University of Tennessee!” FULL STORY >>
Neal chooses Volunteers over Dawgs
By James Bryant
Jan. 28, 2010
One weekend in Knoxville was enough for one former Mississippi State commitment to change his mind. The Rocky Top experience along with new head coach Derek Dooley was enough to sway Georgia running back Rajion Neal to be a Volunteer. “I had a great time during the visit too,” Neal told Scout.com “The campus was real nice, the coaches were nice, I liked the facilities, and I just got to know about everything up there. We felt each other out, I learned as much as I could, and we decided that Tennessee was best for me.” Telling new Mississippi State Coach Dan Mullen about his decision wasn’t easy for Neal.
“It was tough to tell Mississippi State no because I have been through the recruiting process with them for about a year now,” Neal said. “I spent a lot of time there, I knew the coaches there well, and it was a hard thing to do.” Dooly and Tennessee offensive coordinator Jim Chaney apparently made a good impression on Neal. FULL STORY >>
Clark to take official visit to Rocky Top
By James Bryant
Jan. 28, 2010
Coaching changes are sometime good for recruiting, while other times not so good. For one junior college defensive back, it’s uncertain but appears that the coaching change at the University of Tennessee could be a positive turn of events. For Dave Clark, it’s about time something positive happens.
The defensive back from Independence Community College in Kansas missed this past season with a knee injury. He signed committed early to Kansas’ Mark Magino and everything appeared to be headed in the right direction for him despite the early season injury. Magino was fired and Clark even graduated and signed with the Jayhawks, but something with the new coaching staff, Clark appeared to never click.
Enter in Louisiana Tech and the Bulldogs recruiting coordinator Terry Joseph. FULL STORY >>
Manning, Brees Make Super Bowl History
By University of Tennessee
Jan. 28, 2010
Pairing first of National Scholar-Athletes to quarterback teams against each other in Super Bowl
DALLAS - For the first time ever, the Super Bowl will feature two starting quarterbacks who each have claimed a National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Award. Campbell Trophy (formerly Draddy Trophy) winner Peyton Manning, who claimed NFF honors at Tennessee in 1997, will be starting for the Indianapolis Colts while Drew Brees, who was recognized in 2000 for his accomplishments at Purdue, will be the signal caller for the New Orleans Saints.
Manning also becomes the first NFF National Scholar-Athlete to make a second appearance in the Super Bowl as a quarterback. Other NFF National Scholar-Athletes who have quarterbacked a Super Bowl team include Jeff Hostetler (West Virginia, 1983) for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV, Steve Young (BYU, 1983) for the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX, Manning for the Indianapolis Colts in 2007, and Eli Manning (Ole Miss, 2003) for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. FULL STORY >>
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-- (Feb. 7, 2010) -- Florida State will vacate athletic victories from 2006 and 2007, including 12 credited to former football coach Bobby Bowden, as part of its penalty for an academic fraud scandal in 2006-07 involving 61 student-athletes, the school announced. 
-- (Feb. 6, 2010) -- Tennessee's 2010 football recruiting class has center stage for now. But after being analyzed and celebrated the last few days, it will be mostly forgotten over the course of the next season.
-- (Feb. 6, 2010) -- Tennessee's Derek Dooley completed his staff Friday with a familiar face, naming Chuck Smith to the ninth and final assistant coach's position. Smith is a former UT and pro football defensive star originally from Athens, Ga., where he was a teammate of Dooley's at Clarke Central High School in the 1980s. 
-- (Feb. 3, 2010) -- Lane Kiffin is the coach who keeps on giving ...... crap to Urban Meyer.... headaches to the NCAA.... sweet promises to recruits. Yeah, all those things. Still. Change of venue hasn't seemed to matter. Now hold on to your commitment list, recruitniks. 
-- (Feb. 3, 2010) -- KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Derek Dooley only had two weeks to salvage the top ten recruiting class left by predecessor Lane Kiffin when he bolted for Southern California. His class may look a bit different, but it's still one of the best in the nation. 
-- (Jan. 29, 2010) -- The Tennessee football team landed 20 student-athletes among 37 UT recipients on the 2009 Southeastern Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll, as released Friday by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. 
-- (Jan. 22, 2010) -- Lane Kiffin has only been the USC head football coach for 10 days and has already committed his first secondary violation. WOW, what a bozo...
-- (Jan. 21, 2010) -- KNOXVILLE -- A whirlwind week of University of Tennessee football coaching news temporarily halted Wednesday, as first-year head coach Derek Dooley continued his pursuit of a defensive coordinator.
-- (Jan. 20, 2010) -- Late Breaking News:InsideTennessee.com has confirmed that four-star wideout Justin Hunter committed to Tennessee late Tuesday night. It appears that a home visit from UT coaches is all it took. New Head Coach Derek Dooley proves he can close the deal, by reeling in one of the top wideouts in the country.
Area recruits left in limbo
-- (Jan. 13, 2010) -- I’m sorry I am going to be out of the country for the next few weeks because what eventually happens at Tennessee is going to be fascinating. The next few weeks, even perhaps he next few months, are probably not going to be a lot of fun for Tennessee fans.
-- (Dec. 27, 2009) -- Is his family a priority or not? When you give up something you love because you have some sort of medical condition that "can cause permanent damage,'' most people sympathize. What most people don't sympathize with is some sort of back-pedaling, wishy-washy agenda.
Here's the new Desktop Themes you been waiting for! This was specially made for the UT Vols fans. The resolution is 1024 X 768. Bring the sights and sounds of UT Vols to your computer with the University of Tennessee Football and the Indianapolis Colts themes from Smokey's Trail. After you download the Zip file, unzip it and double click on the [University of Tennessee Football (high color).exe] or the [Indianapolis Colts Theme.exe] files, and setup will put the files automatically in your Microsoft Plus Themes folder. If you don't have a folder named Plus!, just make one in Program Files directory or use this utility, it will make it for you: 
We had a blast doing it, and we hope you all enjoy. We talked about nearly all of our early enrollees, current commits, and guys left on the board. You'll find out which quarterback is "sneaky mobile" and which big man has hands like "peach baskets." Learn which player Ghost said, "He's got some bad weight ... that needs to be redistributed."
