Dooley to retain three assistants from Bicknell staff

RUSTON - Newly named Louisiana Tech head football coach Derek Dooley announced Tuesday that he would be retaining assistant coaches Ed Jackson, Conroy Hines and Pete Perot on his staff. Dooley, who left Tuesday headed back to Miami where he will finish out the Dolphins season the next two weeks before returning to Ruston in early January, said he felt that the threesome definitely deserved to stay on board and that he hadn`t ruled out keeping more members of the current staff. "I think it`s important to maintain some continuity in this program," Dooley said. "It`s certainly an advantage while I`m gone for the next two weeks that these guys are able to drive the ship. They`ve shown tremendous loyalty, and are all well-respected by the high school coaches in the state. "When I return, I will revisit the issue. I will certainly give full consideration to all of the coaches on this staff." Jackson is completing his 14th season as a member of the Louisiana Tech staff, having served as the Bulldogs assistant head coach since 1997 and defensive line`s coach the past seven seasons. "I`ve been here for a long time," Jackson said. "I love this university. It`s exciting to see people excited about moving forward. I want to be a part of it. I`ve always wanted to see this university reach higher levels. I`m excited about Tech 2020 and the direction that this program is headed." Hines has been a member of the Louisiana Tech football program as either a player, graduate assistant or full-time coach since 1986. He just completed his 13th season as a full-time assistant and his sixth as the Bulldog offensive coordinator. "I`m happy to still be involved with Louisiana Tech football," Hines said. "I`m excited that Coach Dooley wants me to be a part of this program. I told him I would be willing work in any capacity. I`m a Louisiana Tech guy. I look forward to getting to know him better. He`s created some excitement in Ruston." Perot is in his second stint as a full-time assistant coach with the Bulldogs, having coached from 1986 through 1996 before going to Southern Miss for three years. Perot returned to Tech in 2000 and has coached the Bulldogs offensive line ever since. "I`ve been at Louisiana Tech a long time, and I`ve seen some good times and a few bad times," Perot said. "To me the future looks bright, and I`m excited about to be a part of trying to push this program to the next level. I know Coach Dooley has a plan, and he`s trying to get it all put together. We are going to be the ones that will hopefully work that plan and get this program to the level that he and Dr. Reneau want." Dooley did not specify what positions each of the three coaches would hold.