La Tech Finds A Coach

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Dolphins TE coach Dooley headed for La. Tech

By Mark Schlabach - ESPN - December 17, 2006

Louisiana Tech has hired Miami Dolphins tight ends coach Derek Dooley as its new football coach, according to several people close to the situation. Dooley, the son of former Georgia football coach and athletics director Vince Dooley, will be introduced as Louisiana Tech's new coach at a news conference in Ruston, La., on Monday.

Dooley, who has coached for the Dolphins the last two seasons, is in Buffalo for Sunday's 1 p.m. ET game against the Bills. He will finish the NFL season with the Dolphins before beginning his full-time duties at Louisiana Tech.

Dooley has worked the last seven seasons under Dolphins coach Nick Saban, including the first five at LSU. Dooley coached the Tigers' running backs and was special teams coordinator during their 2003 national championship season. He also worked as the team's tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator for three seasons.

Dooley, who played football at the University of Virginia and earned his law degree at Georgia, also coached wide receivers at SMU for three seasons from 1997 to 1999.

Dooley replaces former Louisiana Tech coach Jack Bicknell, who was fired Dec. 4 after the Bulldogs finished 3-10, 1-7 in the WAC. Bicknell had a 42-53 record in eight seasons at the school.

Dooley met with Louisiana Tech athletics director Jim Oakes and other school officials in Miami on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs interviewed several candidates for the position, including LSU wide receivers coach Todd Monken, LSU offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jimbo Fisher, Oklahoma co-offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin and Division II Valdosta (Ga.) State coach Chris Hatcher. Louisiana Tech officials also gauged the interest of Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, a former LSU and Miami Dolphins assistant under Saban, but he indicated he wasn't interested in the job.