Former Tennessee soccer coach Derek Dooley is working on the Republican ticket for the U.S. Senate in Georgia.
Dooley, 57, introduced Monday he’s coming into the 2026 race in opposition to Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff.
“Skilled politicians like Jon Ossoff are the issue,” Dooley stated in a two-minute launch video. “Lawlessness, open season on the border, inflation in every single place, woke stuff, that is what they characterize. We want new management in Georgia. That is why I am working for Senate.”
Dooley was head coach of the Volunteers for 3 seasons from 2010-12, compiling a 15-21 file with one bowl look. He was fired after a 4-7 season (1-7 Southeastern Convention).
Dooley has the endorsement of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp however reportedly has not but acquired a stamp of approval from U.S. President Donald Trump. The GOP considers Ossoff, 38, to be essentially the most weak Democratic incumbent vying for reelection subsequent yr.
Dooley was born in Athens, Ga., the place his father, Vince, coached the Georgia Bulldogs to a nationwide championship in 1980.
Derek Dooley has by no means held elected workplace however stated he’ll convey “good, old school Georgia frequent sense” to the job.
Dooley posted a 17-20 file in three seasons at Louisiana Tech (2007-09) earlier than struggling at Tennessee. After his stint in Knoxville, he labored on the teaching staffs of the Dallas Cowboys (2013-17), Missouri (2018-19), New York Giants (2020-21) and Alabama (2022-23).
He’s making an attempt to comply with an identical path to Washington, D.C., as former school soccer coaches Tommy Tuberville of Auburn and Tom Osborne of Nebraska. Tuberville was elected to the Senate from Alabama in 2020 and Osborne served three phrases within the Home of Representatives.
–Subject Stage Media
