ATLANTA (AP) – Former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley officially announced his campaign for the 2026 Republican bid for the U.S. Senate in Georgia, aiming to challenge Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. At 57, Dooley has received backing from Governor Brian Kemp and had been hinting at this political move since June. His entry into the Republican race comes at a time when the GOP is seeking to unseat Ossoff, who is seen as one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents in the upcoming election cycle.
Dooley joins a growing roster of Republican contenders that includes U.S. Representatives Buddy Carter and Mike Collins, as well as activist Reagan Box. Governor Kemp’s decision to support Dooley came after he opted not to run for the Senate seat himself. Dooley emphasizes the need for a change in leadership in Georgia, criticizing professional politicians like Ossoff for the country’s issues, including inflation and what he describes as "woke culture." In a launch video, he stated, "We need new leadership in Georgia. That’s why I’m running for Senate."
Despite gaining Kemp's support, Dooley's candidacy faces challenges. Trump has not yet endorsed him, raising questions about the solidarity within the Republican faction. Compounding this, Dooley has encountered opposition from various Republican figures endorsing Collins after he recently announced his candidacy. Notable endorsements for Collins include former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and several state senators, highlighting a split among GOP supporters.
As a political outsider, Dooley attempts to draw on his background and the common sense he attributes to Georgia values. He articulated his plans to collaborate with President Trump if elected and emphasized putting Georgia first. His political experience is limited, as he has never held elected office before. However, he aims to position himself similarly to David Perdue, who successfully won a Senate seat in 2014 by promoting an outsider image.
Derek Dooley is the son of the illustrious University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley and possesses a background as a lawyer before entering coaching. His coaching career included a contentious tenure at Tennessee, where he logged a record of 15-21, culminating in his firing in 2012. Since then, he has served as an assistant coach for various NFL and college teams, including the Dallas Cowboys and the University of Alabama.
Kemp's previous political maneuvers, including the controversial appointment of Kelly Loeffler to the Senate, have loomed large over Georgia’s political landscape. Loeffler lost her seat in a runoff to Democrat Raphael Warnock in 2021, a result that contributed to Democrats taking control of the Senate. Analysts note that Kemp and Trump's attempts to jointly support a favored candidate have faced difficulties, as evidenced by Marjorie Taylor Greene's withdrawal from a Senate bid amid pressure from party leaders.
Dooley's endeavor is not without criticism; his failure to publicly align himself with Trump at earlier stages has raised eyebrows. An anonymous website themed around University of Tennessee has emerged, criticizing him for lacking solid conservative credentials, further complicating his position among the Republican base.
Historically, many football coaches have transitioned into political careers, and Dooley is not the first from this realm. His late father was often discussed as a political candidate, and his mother faced a failed congressional primary bid. Other former coaches, such as Tommy Tuberville, who was elected to the Senate from Alabama in 2020, have paved the way for his pursuit.
With his college roots as a former wide receiver at the University of Virginia and his education from the University of Georgia, where he earned a law degree, Dooley combines sports legacy with a legal background. This multifaceted identity positions him uniquely as he seeks to carve out a place in Georgia politics while aiming to resonate with voters looking for a new direction.
