Derek Dooley to Bryce Brown: "Text Me?...Release NOT Granted"

Earlier this week, Bryce Brown showed just how much he knows about personal etiquette when he decided that he would text Tennessee Vols head coach, Derek Dooley, instead of showing up to meet with him face-to-face. The message was clear, Brown was done playing football at Tennessee.

Game over...or so we thought.

As it turns out, the game isn't really as over as first thought and coach Dooley has a little hand of his own he still wishes to play—he has refused to grant Brown his release. Brown has already decided he will return to his home state of Kansas to play football at Kansas State University.

Why won't Dooley grant Brown's release? Well, he says it isn't "personal", but rather a matter of his own personal protocol where releasing players is concerned.

Apparently, before Dooley can be satisfied that a player is ready to move on, he must meet three criteria:

1. What was the player's personal investment into the program? 

None if you ask me. I am wondering what types of promises former coach, Lane Kiffin, made to get the kid to Knoxville in the first place. It's no coincidence that Brown's desire to bolt the Vols came shortly after Lane exited stage  left. Adding more fuel to the fire, why would Brown leave when he was all but guaranteed to start next season? Seems fishy to me.  

2. What harm the player's departure would cause the program?   

Well, depth immediately becomes an issue, but I don't think anyone will be disappointed with what Tauren Poole can do. Also, incoming freshman, Rajion Neal could be a factor this season as well. Brown's departure will cause a minor inconvenience for the Vols but there still plenty of talent left at tailback. 

3. How the player handled the situation as a person.

The kid sent a text message to announce his departure. I'd say he handled it very poorly and, honestly, I don't care what coach Dooley says about his protocol, he took that personally. He's letting Brown take a nap in that bed he decided to lay down in and, who could blame him?

Seriously, though, it doesn't make sense for Tennessee to allow this matter to go any further. Brown was enough of a distraction before, due to his lengthy indecision, and the best possible thing coach Dooley can do now is let him go. Don't let this soap opera stretch out any further because it looks like, if it does, it will become a war of words between the coach and the player's father.

Arthur Brown, Bryce's father, has already started doing a little talking of his own and nothing good can come of a back and forth conversation which starts with finger-pointing and ends with "he said..."

You've made your point, coach. Now let the kid go back to Kansas—with your blessing.