The CheckerBoard

I am a Dooley supporter, but my support for him is dwindling down. If the VOLS lose any of these last four games I too will say kick him to the curb, but I do see some upside in the program and Dooley. I would not support Dooley if the VOLS were not competitive like Kentucky, but the fact is we have been in every game except the Alabama game. The way the team is being built is for the long term success and not the short term which I think is better. I think that if we keep Dooley and Sal Sunseri, our defense will be a lot better next year, because the defense in this off-season will be under a giant microscope. Think of last year how bad our run game was last year and how much it has improved this year, its not great but has made great strives. Also if you are going purely off records during those three years Tennessee has played Alabama 3 times and LSU twice and Kentucky has played LSU once. I would have to research it but I also think over the past three years Tennessee has played the toughest SEC schedule. As for Dooley's bowl lost we all know that was BS.

I like Dooley, I think he needs a fourth year and if his record does not improve he should be fired. This year was "how competitive we are in the big games" and next year should be"how many of those big games we win". Let Dooley know NOW what you expect next year so there is no confusion.
And yes,UT has played tougher opponents as a whole and has been more in the games than UK, so it's not an exact comparison between the two, but I see your point.
I think you have some people who were willing to give Dooley 2-3 years to win, and others who were willing to give him 3-4 years for the COMPLETE rebuild of the program, and I fall under the 3-4. But loose next year and I will throw the first stone. But I think he will win next year.

Coach Dooley has had the tougher schedule, and as others have pointed out the tougher conference opponents, two out of the three years. I think you'll find at the end of the season Coach Dooley will have three more conference wins than Coach Phillips and at least another shot at a bowl.

There are certainly detractors. No 'big' win over a top 25 team being the most shameful to me. I would like another year to see what he can do, but I won't be cursing the school if they go a different direction. Unless they bring in Coach Bill Callahan. If that happens I'm going to Mizzou or Mississippi State. Mostly kidding on that.

I should add, if he doesn't win the rest of the regular season games, I'll be disappointed.

I don't think it's a well thought out post and I disagree with what the OP is implying, but you're right about the down vote. Some people will down vote when they disagree, but I save mine for extremely/constant negative post and trolls.

This depends on what you consider big wins. I'd say Cincy last year and NC State this year were big wins. If big wins equals wins against 5 top 12 teams in the SEC then I guess you have a point. But I'd counter that should we really beat teams with more talent overall? We've been close 3 times this year as well as leading the #2 team in the country for almost 3 quarters. I know it's not a win, but does that not count for anything? I'd say it's showing progress toward what we want our team to be.

Almost only counts in horseshoe and hand grenades only thing that matters to people is wins.

Bingo! Well said +1. If anyone wants to argue strength of schedule, they can look up UK's schedule and see that they have had a tougher schedule this year. Dooley's had time to win a big game. This is UT, not Vandy. You don't come to UT to "compete" in games, you come here to win and be a premier team in the SEC and nationally. Dooley hasn't shown any sign of being able to win. Next year looks even worse so now is the time to change before he sets us back even further.

Question for everyone. Am I the only one that maybe thinks quality character players don't win big time football games? I think players need that certain edge or toughness about them. Like the Henry's, Stallworth's, the players back in the day at Miami, Bama's players, Florida's players.

I think Tennessee does better than 1-7 with Kentucky's schedule. As far as SOS is concerned, I'd expect Kentucky's SOS rating to drop just a hair after they play Samford...but then again, who knows. They could lose to Samford. Nothing's out of the realm there. Tennessee has had the tougher schedule the previous two seasons. I'll give UT a pass for this season because who knew Kentucky would run into that juggernaut Western Kentucky Hilltopper team. If Kentucky's schedule is tougher at the end of the season, it's not by much.

As far as not showing a sign, Dooley's had a 3 point loss to South Carolina, a 10 point loss to Mississippi State (whereas it was a 3 point game with seconds to go), and a 7 point loss to Georgia just this season. That's showing a sign of being able to win. I can't say next year looks worse, though. I'd expect the defense to gel a bit with a year under their belt.

I agree with the rest of your needing to win, being a premier team and all. If we don't win out the rest of the regular season, it's time to make a change.