Coaching Rumors continue to Swirl as Dooley nears National Signing Day

With National Signing Day right around the Corner Coach Derek Dooley continues his laborious hours to complete his recruiting list. However, he continues to do so without a full staff.  We all know that to fully gain the trust of an athlete, he/she should know who their Coach (Mentor) will be for the four years they committ to the University. The Key here in my opinion is not to find the biggest name out there, but to find the right fit for your system.  That candidate must be able to help develop these kids into not only great athletes but great men and women of society. In order to do this would be more intimidating than finding the right person to go long for a pass or attempt a five step drop and hit your target 50 yards down field. Recruits need information such as this and would like some kind of reassurance as to who this person will be in the future. There have been some rumors and speculations abot these individuals, however, nothing has been signed or placed in stone, but who are these individuals you might ask. Currently They are Joe Barry from Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Defensive Coordinator , and Chuck Smith currently on the NY Jets staff.

Joe Barry

Remember a while back at the Detroit Lions press conference when Coach Rod Marinelli was asked if he wished his daughter had married a better Defensive Coordinator.  Well, unfortunately Joe Barry was intended to be the butt of this Joke. However, Marinelli acted in a civilized manner and held his tounge during the aftermath of the terrible loss. Barry is the Current Linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but his career has led him all over the country pulling stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and at the college level with the likes of USC, Northen Arizona, and UNLV.

Barry has Football in his Blood line and was a Defensive player for the USC. While Barry has expressed interest in the Job there are some roadblocks that he may have to endure. Tampa Bay is notorious for disallowing coaches to be let go from there contracts and have recently declined to let barry discuss coaching oppurtunities with the Washington Redskins.

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith is a popular guy at the University of Tennessee and rightfully so, he is a UT Alum and former NFL All-Pro defensive end. He also holds honors of  MVP of the Sugar Bowl. Chucks' Career led him to the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. Chuck played for eight seasons with the Falcons and helped them to the SuperBowl. Chuck would then become a player for the Carolina Panthers only to end his career with multiple Knee Surgeries. Smith has worked as  a Radio Host and personal trainer for football players.

Intersting enough Smith also happens to be a Former teammate of the current Head Coach Derek Dooley. They Both attended the same High School In Athens Georgia where Smith says he continued to keep tabs on the Coach through his career. Smith has also expressed interest in the job vacancy at UT but reports are conflicting as to wheter or not he has been offered the Job.

Will these coaches be the right fit. Only Time will tell, but they already have one foot in the door at UT. Both coaches have ties and have expressed interest in the jobs. UT is a great school to work  and develop these young men and women as they try to enhance their careers on and off the field. Will their interest be enough to sway these recruits? Or will Dooley have to rush to put someone in place to lure these gifted athletes to UT? I for one would like to see him take his time and get the candidate who is the right fit for the system rather then to recruit great athletes only to let them down with a bad hire.