- Dooley acknowledged that his last name helped him secure his first coaching jobs, including roles at SMU and LSU.
- Dooley started as an unpaid graduate assistant at Georgia in 1996 under Jim Donnan, who had been hired by Vince Dooley, Derek's father.
- In 1997, Mike Cavan, a former player and assistant coach under Vince Dooley, hired Derek Dooley as SMU’s wide receivers coach.
- Questions were raised about whether Dooley’s last name influenced his hiring at Tennessee, despite a 17-20 record at Louisiana Tech.
- Dooley caused frustration when seeking jobs with the Miami Dolphins by calling defensive coach Bill Lewis seeking information on the job before Lewis and other coaches were fired.
- Dooley exhibited abrasive behavior upon arriving at Louisiana Tech, reportedly almost having a nervous breakdown and calling the facilities “disgraceful.”
- Dooley was considered one of the worst head coaches in SEC history during his time at Tennessee, described as a “laughingstock” by fans and media.
- Dooley's relationship with former Tennessee players was tense due to restrictive policies on facility access, alienating those with ties to high school prospects.
- Dooley failed to build fan equity at Tennessee, showing impatience and disinterest in connecting with the fan base during media opportunities..
- Dooley struggled with recruiting at Tennessee due to poor relationship-building skills and ineffective evaluations of players, particularly offensive linemen.
- Former Tennessee player LaMarcus Thompson criticized Dooley for arrogance, lack of accountability, and demanding respect without earning it.
- Derek Dooley earned over $14.6 million from public universities during his coaching career. He held positions at multiple public universities, including Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech, the University of Tennessee, the University of Missouri, and the University of Alabama.
- Significant earnings include a $5 million buyout from the University of Tennessee and $900,000 annual salaries at the University of Missouri in 2018 and 2019.
¶ Dooley Says Dumb And Offensive Things
- Derek Dooley compared his football team's struggles to the Nazi Germany during World War II at Omaha Beach, highlighting their confusion and unpreparedness in the absence of leadership.
- Dooley stated he does not root for Georgia football when playing Tennessee.'
Dooley Was A Nepo Baby
Dooley Doesn't Have The Temperament To Be Senator
Dooley Got Rich Off Taxpayers
Dooley Says Dumb And Offensive Things