Following the Vols performance, or lack there of against Vanderbilt, the UT players weren't too surprised that Dooley was let go. Said offensive lineman Antonio Richardson,"I anticipated it. After the Mizzou game, I kind of anticipated it. I heard a lot of rumors. I don't want to say so much anticipated it. I just prepped my mind for if it happened, I would be mentally ready for it. And I think that's what a lot of guys did." Said Vols linebacker Jacques Smith,"I mean it's just part of the business in college football. It's the ugly side of it, and Tennessee has seen that side too many times."
Since 2008, Tennessee will have employed four different head coaches. Reporter-"How much are you guys just tired of having change?" Said Smith,"I'm not tired of change. I'm just tired of losing."
The Vols felt they were headed for a promising season in 2012. But instead, they'll miss going to a bowl game for the second straight year. Said tight end Mychal Rivera,"We gave up big leads and things. I can't point it out. There's not one mistake. You can put it on the coaches or put it on the players. You just can't put it on anybody."
The Vols get their final shot at winning against Kentucky and they hope to see support from the Big Orange nation. Said Rivera,"I'm not fighting for a coach. I'm fighting for the team. I'm fighting for the University of Tennessee. When you guys come out and support, just come out and support for us." Said Richardson,"Right now, we are doing this for pride. It's for the seniors, and it's for Vol nation. It's not about anybody else. The seniors and the fans, just making sure we get a 'W' for them."
