KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Georgia State coach Bill Curry still remembers being dumbfounded when he learned Derek Dooley was giving up his legal career to enter the coaching business.
Sixteen years after Dooley began his coaching career, their paths are crossing again. Dooley will lead Tennessee into its home opener Saturday against Georgia State in Curry’s final season before retirement.
Of course, this isn’t the first time Curry has squared off with a Dooley.
Curry coached Georgia Tech from 1980-86 when Dooley’s father, Vince, was in the midst of his illustrious career at Georgia. Curry will become the first coach to face both Dooleys.
Georgia Tech lost to Georgia by an average margin of 19.5 points in each of Curry’s first four seasons, but quarterback John Dewberry led the Yellow Jackets to victories in 1984 and 1985 after transferring from Georgia.
