Adam Brimer, Adam Brimer/News Sentinel

Former Tennessee Vols head coach Derek Dooley mulling a possible run for United States Senate seat in Georgia

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Craig Smith | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 9:42 PM ET

Derek Dooley didn't exactly have the greatest run of success as a college head football coach. That is well documented from his time in Knoxville from 2010 to 2012, where he served as the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers.

However, he could be looking at taking off on a new career and personal challenge. According to Greg Bluestein of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Dooley is considering putting his hat in the political ring as a candidate to go up against Jon Ossoff, one of Georgia's current US Senators.

Just in: The son of legendary Georgia football coach Vince Dooley is weighing a run against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff, a move that could shake up one of the most competitive U.S. Senate races in the nation. #gapol https://t.co/no2eRE1P1D
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) June 6, 2025

Per Bluestein, Dooley is still mulling over the possibility of entering the race to become the Republican candidate to go against Ossoff - who is up for re-election in 2026 - with Georgia US representative Buddy Carter and Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King already having stepped forward as candidates.

Dooley's name still carries plenty of weight in the state of Georgia, being the son of former legendary Georgia head coach Vince Dooley. Dooley doesn't have any political background or experience to speak of, but he does have a legal background as an attorney, a path that other members of Congress have followed to Washington, D.C.

However, he certainly wouldn't be the first former SEC head coach to go from the sideline to the Senate chamber. Former Auburn, Ole Miss, and Texas Tech head coach Tommy Tuberville is currently one of Alabama's two US senators, although he recently expressed his intent to run for the governorship of Alabama in the next cycle.

Dooley took over as head coach of the Volunteers in January of 2010 after Lane Kiffin left abruptly for USC. He posted a 15-21 record in three seasons with the Vols, being relieved of his duties after a 41-18 loss to Vanderbilt in November 2012.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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