Tennessee coach Derek Dooley to earn $1.8 million

Feb 23, 2010 - 6:28 PM KNOXVILLE, Tenn.(AP) -- New Tennessee coach Derek Dooley will earn $1.8 million in his first season of a six-year contract.

Under agreements between Tennessee and its new coaches, Dooley's nine assistants will make a combined $2.7 million. Tennessee announced the salaries Tuesday.

Defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox's $600,000 salary is the largest among the assistants. Offensive coordinator Jim Cheney will earn $425,000.

Dooley was hired Jan. 15 to replace Lane Kiffin. He will make $200,000 less than Kiffin made in his only season at Tennessee. Kiffin left Jan. 12 to coach Southern California.

Athletic director Mike Hamilton says Dooley will do a "tremendous job" as coach, and called Dooley's staff "first-class."