A Republican with ties to the University of Georgia’s football program is once again running for the US Senate from the Peach State.
Derek Dooley, the son of legendary Bulldogs coach Vince Dooley, announced Monday he will join the competitive GOP race to challenge incumbent Democrat Sen. Jon Ossoff next year.
Dooley, 57, billed himself as a true political outsider and vowed to put “Georgia First.”
Derek Dooley has over three decades of experience coaching football. Getty Images“Leadership matters. Our state doesn’t have a voice in the US Senate who reflects Georgia values because Ossoff is more concerned with protecting his own political future, opposing everything the Trump Administration is working to accomplish,” Dooley, who is also an attorney, declared during his campaign launch.
“The foundation of football is the American spirit. You work hard, you play by the rules, you keep fighting when adversity hits — you have a fair shot at achieving your dreams,” he added. “I want that for all Georgians — and all Americans.”
Dooley is believed to have the backing of Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, a family friend who passed on challenging Ossoff himself.
Vince Dooley, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 90, guided the Bulldogs to six SEC championships and the national title in 1980 during a 25-year coaching career in Athens.
The elder Dooley both endorsed and campaigned with Trump ahead of the 2016 election.
Derek Dooley followed in his father’s footsteps but with less success.
Derek Dooley touted himself as a “Georgia First” candidate. Courtesy Derek DooleyAfter three seasons as the head football coach at Louisiana Tech, he was hired by the University of Tennessee in January 2010.
Despite high hopes for the Volunteers, Dooley failed to record a winning season in three years and was fired with one game remaining in the 2012 campaign.
Dooley’s most recent coaching gig was in 2023, when he held the post of senior offensive analyst on Nick Saban’s staff at the University of Alabama. He also has ties to New York, having spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Giants as a senior offensive assistant and tight ends coach, respectively.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp reportedly encouraged Derek Dooley to jump into the race. AP
Sen. Jon Ossoff is known for his sharp oratory skills, and his seat is generally seen as the GOP’s top Senate pickup opportunity in 2026. Getty Images for Breakthrough T1DRepublicans widely view Ossoff’s seat as their best Senate pickup opportunity in the 2026 midterm election cycle.
Four years ago, Republican and former Bulldog great Herschel Walker was defeated by Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). This go-round, many GOP operatives have put a greater emphasis on recruiting a quality candidate.
Dooley now faces a field that includes Reps. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) and Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) as well as horse trainer Reagan Box.
Heading into the 2026 election cycle, Republicans have to defend 22 of the 35 Senate seats up for grabs, while the Democrats have just 13 of their seats at stake.
