Former Tennessee Coach Derek Dooley Announces Georgia Senate Run

Former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Georgia as a Republican, aiming to unseat incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff. Dooley, a native of Athens and son of former Georgia head coach Vince Dooley, is running on a platform dubbed “Georgia First,” aligning himself closely with President Donald Trump's policies. Despite having no prior political experience, his campaign emphasizes leadership, border security, and opposition to transgender athletes in women's sports, leveraging his family background and coaching career to connect with voters. The Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has endorsed Dooley, who faces competition in the Republican primary from candidates including Buddy Carter and Mike Collins. Dooley's coaching record includes head coaching tenures at Tennessee and Louisiana Tech, with an overall 32-41 record, and recent experience as a senior offensive analyst at Alabama. His entry into politics follows a trend of football figures seeking Senate seats in Georgia, reminiscent of Herschel Walker's 2022 campaign.