A Republican with ties to the University of Georgia’s football program is once again running for the 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.”
“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 Georgia 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.
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.
After three seasons as the head coach at Louisiana Tech, he was hired by the University of Tennessee, where he failed to have a winning season in three attempts and was fired with one game remaining in the 2012 campaign.
Dooley most recently held a position as a senior offensive analyst on Nick Saban’s staff at the University of Alabama.
Republicans 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-around, 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, compared to the Democrats’ 13.
