Ex-Tennessee coach Derek Dooley seeks Georgia U.S. Senate seat
Derek Dooley, former head coach at Tennessee, announced last fall his Republican candidacy for a U.S. Senate seat in Georgia's midterm elections. The coach-turned-candidate pledges to emerge as "the last man standing" after the primary and general election. He draws on leadership skills from his Southeastern Conference career to appeal to voters.
Dooley built ties with prominent coaches during his time in the SEC, including Nick Saban and Kirby Smart. He and Smart worked together as assistants at LSU in 2004 under Saban and on the Miami Dolphins staff in 2006. Dooley served most recently as a senior offensive analyst at Alabama in 2023 under Saban.
Dooley defended Georgia's program and coach Smart amid off-field incidents involving players. Those include a 2023 fatal car crash that killed offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy; then-defensive lineman Jalen Carter faced reckless driving charges related to the incident and received probation. In 2024, linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. and offensive tackle Bo Hughley faced misdemeanor reckless driving charges; Mondon was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 NFL Draft fifth round. In March 2025, coach Smart indefinitely suspended wide receiver Nitro Tuggle and offensive lineman Marques Easley; offensive lineman Nyier Daniels was dismissed in November after a police chase exceeding 150 mph.
Dooley praised Smart's disciplinary approach and expressed confidence in the program's values for young athletes. He opposes congressional intervention in college athletics issues like name, image and likeness compensation, urging the NCAA to resolve them internally. Dooley's father, the late Vince Dooley, coached Georgia to the 1980 national championship.
Georgia's Republican primary is set for May 19; if no candidate wins a majority, the top two advance to a June 16 runoff. The winner will challenge incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff in the general election. Dooley cited post-COVID national changes and congressional dysfunction as reasons for his political entry after a 28-year coaching career.
