Vanderbilt, Tennessee coaches receive new look at rivalry

For Dooley, the prospect of four consecutive wins to get his Vols (4-6, 1-5 SEC) bowl eligible must look like Christmas morning after dropping six of seven. Vanderbilt (2-8, 1-6) and Kentucky stand in the way.

For Caldwell, there is the rare pride a Vanderbilt coach experiences with a victory over the Vols. It has happened just once in the last 27 years, and no coach has beaten UT in his first season since Fred Pancoast in 1975.

"I can't speak on the history and tradition of the rivalry … because I haven't lived it," Dooley said. "I do know that back when General Neyland got here, his main charge was to beat Vandy. So that says something about the rivalry right there."

It will be the fifth time in the series that both coaches are in their first seasons. UT won in 1953 and 1963. Vanderbilt won in 1901 and 1904. Dooley and Caldwell became leaders of their respective programs in different fashions. Caldwell was signaled in from the practice field he was busy lining when Bobby Johnson retired in July. He was given a promotion, a clean shirt and a press conference to attend in a matter of minutes. Dooley was summoned from Louisiana Tech to deliver stability at Tennessee. He got the job in January when Lane Kiffin left for the Southern Cal, forcing the Vols to turn to their third coach since 2008.Unlike Caldwell, Dooley was able to hire his own staff. But also unlike Caldwell he didn't have knowledge of personnel on his team.