Derek Dooley to coach after surgery

Updated: October 9, 2012, 10:19 PM ET

By Chris Low | ESPN.com

Tennessee coach Derek Dooley will be "playing with pain" Saturday in the Vols' game at Mississippi State.

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Dooley, who underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a fractured right hip, will miss Tennessee's practice Wednesday but hopes to return in time for Thursday's workout. He will coach Saturday's game from the coaches' booth in the press box.

It's an injury that has plagued him for the past couple of months. He told reporters Tuesday after practice that he was dealing with a hip issue after limping to the podium to conduct his interviews.

According to a university release, the surgery was scheduled Monday after an MRI last Friday revealed a fracture that required immediate need for surgery. Dooley told his team after practice Tuesday that he would be having the surgery.

The Vols (3-2, 0-2 East) are still looking for their first SEC win of the season. They had a bye last week and start a grueling October stretch this Saturday that includes games against three straight nationally ranked foes - No. 19 Mississippi State on the road, No. 1 Alabama at home and No. 3 South Carolina on the road.