Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart said Derek Dooley improved Tennessee football during his three-year tenure as the Volunteers' coach - just not enough to keep the job.
 
Dooley, 44, was fired Sunday after posting a 15-21 record that lacked wins over ranked opponents and Southeastern Conference foes. Dooley was 4-19 in SEC games and 0-15 against Top 25 teams. Tennessee (4-7, 0-7 SEC) is 1-14 in the SEC over the last two years.
 
Hart said Sunday that Dooley improved the team despite inheriting a tough situation, but he noted that "you can't ignore the results at the end of the day."
 
Tennessee's 41-18 loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday guarantees the Vols their third consecutive losing season.
 
Offensive coordinator Jim Chaney will coach the Vols' season finale.