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Vince Dooley
Dooley in 2016
Biographical details
Born(1932-09-04)September 4, 1932
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
DiedOctober 28, 2022(2022-10-28) (aged 90)
Athens, Georgia, U.S.
Playing career
1951–1953Auburn
Position(s)Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1956–1960Auburn (QB)
1961–1963Auburn (freshman)
1964–1988Georgia
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1979–2004Georgia
Head coaching record
Overall201–77–10
Bowls8–10–2
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 National (1980)
6 SEC (1966, 1968, 1976, 1980–1982)
Awards
College Football Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1994 (profile)

Vincent Joseph Dooley (September 4, 1932 – October 28, 2022) was an American college football coach. He was the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs from 1964 to 1988, as well as the University of Georgia's (UGA) athletic director from 1979 to 2004. During his 25-year head coaching career, Dooley compiled a 201–77–10 record. His teams won six Southeastern Conference (SEC) titles and the 1980 national championship. After the 1980 season, Dooley was recognized as college football's "Coach of the Year" by several organizations.

Early life and education

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Dooley was born in Mobile, Alabama, on September 4, 1932.[2][3] He was of Irish and Italian descent.[4] He attended the McGill Institute, administered by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. He competed on behalf of McGill's athletic teams, known as the Yellow Jackets.[5] He was recognized as an all-state player in both football and basketball,[2] but considered the latter to be his best sport.[4]

Dooley was awarded a football scholarship to study at Auburn University,[3][4] where he played college football and later coached under Ralph "Shug" Jordan.[6] He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management in 1954,[3] and was a member of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity.[7] After serving as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1956,[8] he returned to Auburn and eventually obtained a master's degree in history in 1963.[5]

Coaching career

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While he was completing his master's at Auburn, Dooley first worked as quarterback coach under Jordan for five years, before serving as the school's head freshman coach for three years.[2][4] He was then appointed head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs in 1963, at the age of 31, even though he had no prior experience at that position.[2][3] During his first season with the team, Dooley finished with a 7–3–1 record and led the Bulldogs to the Sun Bowl, defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders.[6][9] He oversaw Georgia's upset 18–17 win over Alabama, the defending national champion, in the opening game of 1965, before guiding Georgia to the 1966 Southeastern Conference (SEC) title, their first in seven seasons. The school lost only one game that year, won the Cotton Bowl Classic against the SMU Mustangs, and the finished as 4th in the final poll of the season. Two years later, Georgia won their second SEC title under Dooley, but they lost the Sugar Bowl to the Arkansas Razorbacks.[6]

Dooley led the Bulldogs to victories in the December 1971 Gator Bowl and the Peach Bowl two years later.[9] He won his third SEC title with the school in 1976, losing only one game in the regular season and shutting out the Alabama Crimson Tide 21–0 at home. However, UGA lost the Sugar Bowl that year 27–3 to Pittsburgh, the national champions.[6] At the end of the season, Dooley became the first recipient of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award.[10][11][12] Georgia finished the 1977 season with a 5–6 record, representing the only losing season in Dooley's career as head coach.[2][6] Two years later, he was appointed as Georgia's co-athletic director after Joel Eaves retired, before gaining the role exclusively in 1980 to entice him to stay at UGA after Auburn (his alma mater) offered him the position of football coach and athletic director.[2] The Bulldogs finished the 1980 season with a perfect 12–0 record and became consensus national champions for the first time after defeating Notre Dame 17–10 in the Sugar Bowl.[2][6] Dooley was consequently honored as AFCA Coach of the Year,[13] Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year,[14] Walter Camp Coach of the Year,[15] and Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year.[16]

The Bulldogs won two more SEC titles during Dooley's tenure (1981 and 1982), but lost the Sugar Bowl in both those seasons.[6][9] Georgia won the Cotton Bowl in 1983, the Liberty Bowl four years later, and the 1988 Gator Bowl, his final game as head coach.[9] In his 25 seasons as Georgia's head football coach, Dooley won six SEC championships and led the school to 201 victories.[2][6] He was also named SEC Coach of the Year four times (1966, 1968, 1976, and 1980).[17] Dooley retired as head coach at the conclusion of the 1988 season.[2][6] At the time, he was the second-winningest coach in SEC history, behind only Bear Bryant.[6]

Later career

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Although Dooley also intended to retire as UGA's athletic director in 1988, he agreed to remain until his successor could be appointed. However, no replacement was forthcoming and he retained his position.[2] During his tenure as athletic director, he hired former football coach Mark Richt from Florida State University.[18]

Dooley briefly pursued the Democratic Party nomination for Senate seat in Georgia in July 1985 while he was still Georgia's head coach, but ultimately decided against running, stating that it would be "very poor timing" for him to leave the team before the start of the season.[19] He also considered running for governor of Georgia five years later.[2] His wife ran in the Republican Party primary for U.S. House in 2002.[20] Dooley resigned as Georgia's athletic director in 2004, after feuding with the university's president Michael F. Adams.[3] He was later hired by Kennesaw State University in December 2009 to work as their consultant, as part of the school's drive to start a football program.[21]

One of Dooley's hobbies in retirement was gardening,[5] about which he has published a book.[22] He also partnered with Mascot Books to publish two children's books about the UGA mascot, How 'Bout Them Dawgs! and Hairy Dawg's Journey Through the Peach State.[23][24] Dooley was the chairman of the board of curators for the Georgia Historical Society from 2016 to 2018.[25]

Personal life

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Dooley married Barbara Meshad in March 1960.[26] They met while studying at Auburn together,[27] and remained married until his death.[3] Together, they had four children.[3][27] One of them, Derek Dooley, was the head football coach at the University of Tennessee and Louisiana Tech University,[28] an assistant coach for the Miami Dolphins, the University of Georgia, Missouri, and LSU, as well as a position coach for the New York Giants.[29]

Dooley's younger brother, Bill Dooley, worked on the Georgia Bulldogs football staff,[30] before becoming a noted college head coach in his own right at the University of North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Wake Forest.[31] The two brothers found themselves on opposing sidelines during the December 1971 Gator Bowl, played in Jacksonville, Florida.[32][33]

Dooley died on October 28, 2022, at home in Athens, Georgia. He was 90, and had recovered from mild symptoms of COVID-19 in the same month as his death.[3]

Dooley was interred at Oconee Hill Cemetery, behind Sanford Stadium, on November 3, 2022.[34]

Awards and honors

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Dooley receives a challenge coin from Brig. Gen. Joseph Jarrard in 2018.

Dooley was inducted in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1978,[1] the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1984,[35] and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.[2][6] He was conferred the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award, presented by the American Football Coaches Association in 2001.[1] Two years later, the U.S. Sports Academy presented Dooley with the Carl Maddox Sport Management Award, an award given annually to an individual for contribution to the growth and development of sports through management practices.[36] In 2004, Dooley was enshrined into UGA's Circle of Honor, which is the school's highest tribute to former athletes and coaches. Dooley received the Homer Rice Award, the highest honor given by the Division I-A Athletic Directors Association, in September 2007.[1]

Dooley was inducted as a Georgia Trustee in 2011. Conferred by the Georgia Historical Society, in conjunction with the Governor of Georgia, to individuals whose accomplishments and community service reflect the ideals of the founding body of Trustees, which governed the Georgia colony from 1732 to 1752.[37] He was inducted into the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in July 2012.[38] Six years later, the Georgia Historical Society established the Vincent J. Dooley Distinguished Fellows Program in honor of Dooley. It was designed to accomplish two goals consistent with Dooley's life and legacy – recognizing senior scholars in the field of history and mentoring and developing emerging historians.[39][40] Historian David Blight and author Rick Atkinson have been named Vincent J. Dooley Distinguished Teaching Fellows.[41]

On September 7, 2019, the football field at the University of Georgia's Sanford Stadium was renamed "Dooley Field" in honor of the coach.[42]

Head coaching record

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Georgia Bulldogs (Southeastern Conference) (1964–1988)
1964 Georgia 7–3–1 4–2 T–2nd W Sun
1965 Georgia 6–4 2–3 8th 15
1966 Georgia 10–1 5–0 T–1st W Cotton 4 4
1967 Georgia 7–4 3–2 5th L Liberty 18
1968 Georgia 8–1–2 5–0–1 1st L Sugar 4 8
1969 Georgia 5–5–1 2–3–1 6th L Sun
1970 Georgia 5–5 3–3 T–5th
1971 Georgia 11–1 5–1 T–2nd W Gator 8 7
1972 Georgia 7–4 4–3 5th
1973 Georgia 7–4–1 3–4 T–5th W Peach
1974 Georgia 6–6 4–2 T–2nd L Tangerine
1975 Georgia 9–3 5–1 T–2nd L Cotton 19 19
1976 Georgia 10–2 5–1 1st L Sugar 10 10
1977 Georgia 5–6 2–4 T–6th
1978 Georgia 9–2–1 5–0–1 2nd L Astro-Bluebonnet 15 16
1979 Georgia 6–5 5–1 2nd
1980 Georgia 12–0 6–0 1st W Sugar 1 1
1981 Georgia 10–2 6–0 T–1st L Sugar 5 6
1982 Georgia 11–1 6–0 1st L Sugar 4 4
1983 Georgia 10–1–1 5–1 2nd W Cotton 4 4
1984 Georgia 7–4–1 4–2 T–3rd T Florida Citrus
1985 Georgia 7–3–2 3–2–1 5th T Sun
1986 Georgia 8–4 4–2 T–2nd L Hall of Fame
1987 Georgia 9–3 4–2 T–4th W Liberty 14 13
1988 Georgia 9–3 5–2 3rd W Gator 15 15
Georgia: 201–77–10 102–41–4
Total: 201–77–10
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

See also

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d "Vince Dooley list of accomplishments". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. October 28, 2022. Archived from the original on October 29, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Litsky, Frank (October 29, 2022). "Vince Dooley, Hall of Fame Football Coach for Georgia, Dies at 90". The New York Times. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Newberry, Paul (October 28, 2022). "Vince Dooley, longtime Georgia football coach, dies at 90". Associated Press News. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d "Dooley still learning as he nears his 90s". Savannah Morning News. May 27, 2022. p. B1. ProQuest 2670040743. Retrieved October 28, 2022 – via ProQuest.
  5. ^ a b c Grillo, Jerry (February 2011). "Historian and History Maker". Georgia Trend. Vol. 26, no. 6. p. 24. ProQuest 853040850. Retrieved October 28, 2022 – via ProQuest.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Newberry, Paul (October 28, 2022). "A timeline of Vince Dooley's life and career". Associated Press News. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  7. ^ "Dooley honored with man of achievement award by Phi Kappa Theta". Athens Banner-Herald. July 21, 2016. Archived from the original on October 29, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  8. ^ "A look at Vince Dooley's career and accomplishments". Associated Press News. October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Vince Dooley Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  10. ^ "Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation". Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2009.
  11. ^ "Vince Dooley: A Conversation" (PDF). gpb.org. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  12. ^ "Tech's Legendary Coach Dodd Dedicated to Players, Winning". The Albany Herald. June 22, 1988. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  13. ^ "AFCA Coach of the Year Award Winners". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  14. ^ "Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award Winners". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  15. ^ "Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award Winners". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  16. ^ Bradley, Ken (December 16, 2014). "Sporting News all-time Coaches of the Year". Sporting News. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  17. ^ "SEC Coach of the Year Winners". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  18. ^ "Dooley: My 40 Years at Georgia (Authorized Biography)". Archived from the original on November 16, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  19. ^ Schmidt, William E. (July 26, 1985). "Georgia U. Coach Bars Senate Race". The New York Times. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  20. ^ Trevino, Elizabeth (July 23, 2002). "Georgia Republican Aims for Washington in First Public-Office Bid". WTOC. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  21. ^ "Vince Dooley on his Involvement in KSU's Football Program". WUPA. August 24, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  22. ^ "Never a Bad Day". HOOTERS magazine. November/ December 2010. pp. 117–9.
  23. ^ Dooley, Vince (2006). How 'Bout Them Dawgs!. Mascot Books. ISBN 9781932888461.
  24. ^ Dooley, Vince (2006). Hairy Dawg's Journey Through the Peach State. Mascot Books. ISBN 9781934878217.
  25. ^ Wooten, Kristi York (October 28, 2022). "Remembering legendary UGA football coach Vince Dooley". Georgia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  26. ^ "Vince Dooley commemorative section: Vince Dooley / The memories: Available for hire A look at what Dooley's resume might look like". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. June 27, 2004. p. D10. ProQuest 337075588. Retrieved October 29, 2022 – via ProQuest.
  27. ^ a b Bradley, Mark (July 18, 1999). "The perennial Vince Dooley Ten years after resigning as the University of Georgia's greatest football coach, athletics director Dooley adds to legacy". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. E1. ProQuest 247115335. Retrieved October 29, 2022 – via ProQuest.
  28. ^ "Derek Dooley Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  29. ^ Pasquarelli, Len (December 16, 2006). "Dolphins TE coach Dooley in talks with La. Tech". Retrieved April 5, 2008.
  30. ^ Powell, K. Adam (2004). Border Wars: The First Fifty Years of Atlantic Coast Conference Football. Scarecrow Press. p. 95. ISBN 9780810848399.
  31. ^ "Bill Dooley Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  32. ^ Smits, Garry (February 1, 2013). "Much talk has been about the Harbaugh brothers in the Super Bowl, but Bill and Vince Dooley coached against each other in a competitive Gator Bowl in 1971 – Not first time brothers have battled to be best". The Florida Times-Union. p. D1. ProQuest 1314812052. Retrieved October 29, 2022 – via ProQuest.
  33. ^ Smits, Garry (October 28, 2022). "Georgia coach Vince Dooley experienced some of his biggest victories in Jacksonville". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  34. ^ Towers, Chip (November 3, 2022). "Georgia great Vince Dooley buried in Athens". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  35. ^ "Vince Dooley". Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. September 11, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  36. ^ "Carl Maddox Sport Management Award". American Sport Art Museum and Archives. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  37. ^ "Georgia's New Trustees – Georgia Trend – February 2011 – Atlanta, GA". Georgia Trend. February 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  38. ^ "Dooley To Be Inducted Into Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame". Georgia Bulldogs. June 14, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  39. ^ "Vincent J. Dooley Distinguished Fellows Program". Georgia Historical Society. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  40. ^ Tolbert, Lauren (September 11, 2018). "Vincent J. Dooley Distinguished Fellows Program created in honor of former football coach". The Red & Black. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  41. ^ "Dooley Distinguished Teaching Fellows". Georgia Historical Society. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  42. ^ "Georgia names field after longtime coach Dooley". ESPN.com. September 7, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.

General and cited sources

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