Former NFL, CFB Coach Derek Dooley to Run for U.S. Senate in Georgia as Republican

A former football coach is trying his hand in politics.

Per ESPN, former Tennessee head coach and longtime NFL assistant Derek Dooley announced his 2026 Republican bid for the U.S. Senate in Georgia on Monday. Dooley will run against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff and is backed by Gov. Brian Kemp.

"Professional politicians like Jon Ossoff are the problem," Dooley said in a two-minute launch video, per ESPN. "Lawlessness, open season on the border, inflation everywhere, woke stuff, that's what they represent. We need new leadership in Georgia. That's why I'm running for Senate."

Dooley is embracing his background as both a political outsider and a football coach in his campaign.

"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," Dooley’s campaign said, per ABC's Lalee Ibssa. "As a coach, I wanted that for all my players. As your next U.S. Senator, I want that for all Georgians—and all Americans."

According to ESPN, Kemp met with President Donald Trump to determine a preferred candidate, and whoever was agreed upon would be named the Republican front-runner. Dooley received Kemp's approval but not Trump's, but will proceed with his campaign regardless.

Dooley, son of legendary Georgia coach Vince Dooley, practiced law before starting his coaching career. He was a position coach for a handful of college football teams in the late 1990s and early 2000s before getting his first NFL job as the Miami Dolphins' tight ends coach in 2005.

From there, he landed a head coach gig for Louisiana Tech before being named head coach at Tennessee. His time with the Vols was mostly unsuccessful as he put together a 15-21 record before being fired in 2012.

Since his time at Tennessee ended, Dooley has served as an assistant coach with the Dallas Cowboys, the University of Missouri, the New York Giants and the University of Alabama. His last position was as an offensive analyst for the Crimson Tide in 2023.

ESPN noted that Dooley's father was often discussed as a potential candidate, and his mother, Barbara Dooley, lost a Republican primary for Congress in 2002.