KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee's coaching staff doesn't consider Derek Dooley's move to the press box a major hindrance as the Volunteers prepare for Saturday's game at No. 19 Mississippi State.
Dooley underwent surgery on his fractured right hip Tuesday afternoon and will work from the press box Saturday for the first time since his 2005-06 stint as the Miami Dolphins' tight ends coach. This marks the first time in two decades a Tennessee head coach has worked a game from the press box.
Although Dooley wasn't at practice Wednesday, his assistants said they don't expect much change in their responsibilities. Defensive coordinator Sal Sunseri said Dooley would remain in charge of game management responsibilities such as calling timeouts. He simply will relay those decisions via his headset to the assistants on the sidelines. Added offensive coordinator Jim Chaney,"I really have no issues with it. Coach and I have a great relationship. We talk throughout the game all the time. He'll be sitting right beside me. We'll see. We'll manage. We're both grownups. I'm sure he'll yell at me, and I'll yell at him. I won't yell at him. He's my boss. You know how that goes."
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Reporter-"Do you expect him to help you call plays?" Said Chaney, "Certainly. He always has before, why would he stop now?"
