(The Center Square) – Former Tennessee Volunteers head football coach Derek Dooley ended speculation Monday and officially announced his U.S. Senate campaign with a two-minute video posted on YouTube.
Dooley, the son of former University of Georgia head football coach Vince Dooley, aligned himself with President Donald Trump in the video.
“President Trump campaigned on things and he’s turning them into results,” Dooley said. “I haven’t known a president in my lifetime who’s been able to achieve these kind of results. That’s what the people want – somebody who is going to mean what they say and say what they mean.”
Dooley enters a crowded race of Georgia Republicans hoping to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen Jon Ossoff. He didn’t mention his party’s opposition in the video but aimed at Ossoff.
“Professional politicians like Jon Ossoff are the problem,” Dooley said. “Lawlessness. Open season on the borders. Inflation everywhere. Woke stuff. That’s what they represent.”
Two Georgia Republican congressmen are in the race. Rep. Buddy Carter was the first to announce his candidacy. Rep. Mike Collins said last Monday he was running.
Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King was also in the race but dropped out last week.
Dooley reportedly has the support of second-term Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and is said to be a personal friend of the governor.
Georgia has not set the dates for the party primaries. The general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
Dooley was well short of his father in coaching legacy. He led Louisiana Tech to an 8-5 record and Independence Bowl win in 2008 sandwiched by 5-7 and 4-8 seasons. He guided Tennessee the next three seasons, going 6-7, 5-7 and 4-7 in 2010-12 with a loss in the Music City Bowl after the 2010 season.
Vince Dooley led the Georgia Bulldogs from 1964-88, going 201-77-10 punctuated by a 12-0, Herschel Walker-led 1980 national title team.
