Former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley has officially announced his entry into the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Georgia. This move sets the stage for a significant Republican challenge against the incumbent, Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff. Dooley, the son of the legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley, is stepping onto the political field for the first time, bringing an unexpected dynamic to one of the nation’s most closely watched Senate contests. His candidacy immediately draws attention, positioning him as a notable figure in what is anticipated to be a fiercely contested election cycle. The political landscape in Georgia is already buzzing with the implications of this high-profile declaration.
Dooley, aged 57, has positioned himself as a political outsider, a lane that has proven successful in Georgia’s past, notably by David Perdue in his 2014 Senate victory. In his two-minute launch video released on a Monday morning, he directly challenged the status quo, stating, “Professional politicians like Jon Ossoff are the problem.” He further elaborated on his motivations, asserting, “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.” His campaign emphasizes a commitment to “good, old-fashioned Georgia common sense” and a pledge to “work with President Trump, fight for you and always put Georgia first.”
Reinforcing his “Georgia First” campaign, Dooley articulated clear positions on issues resonating with conservative voters. He unequivocally stated that he is “running to put Georgia First and bring common sense to D.C.” Furthermore, he emphasized, “Georgians know biological men shouldn’t be playing in women’s sports, hardworking people should keep more of their money, and opening our borders makes us less safe.” These statements reflect a clear alignment with prevailing conservative sentiments, aiming to differentiate himself from the incumbent and establish his conservative credentials early in the campaign. His platform seeks to directly address concerns he believes are neglected by current leadership.
Before his foray into politics, Dooley built a career primarily in the world of football coaching, following in his father’s prominent footsteps. He began his collegiate journey as a wide receiver at the University of Virginia, where he initially walked on before earning a scholarship. His academic pursuits led him to the University of Georgia, where he obtained a law degree, subsequently practicing law briefly in Atlanta. This legal background provides a unique dimension to his profile, though his path quickly diverged into coaching, ascending the ranks to become a head coach.
Dooley’s head coaching tenure included three years at Louisiana Tech and three years at the University of Tennessee. His time with the Volunteers concluded in 2012, where he compiled a 15-21 record before his firing. Overall, his head coaching career ended with a 32-41 record, with only one season above a .500 winning percentage. Following his head coaching roles, he served as an assistant coach for various teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, the University of Missouri, the New York Giants, and the University of Alabama, gaining experience across different levels of the sport.
A critical element of Dooley’s bid is the robust backing he receives from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Governor Kemp, who opted not to seek the Senate seat himself after being heavily recruited by national Republicans, has publicly indicated his support for Dooley. This endorsement is not merely a political alignment but rooted in deep personal history, as Kemp was a frequent guest at the Dooley family home during his teenage years and even roomed with Derek’s older brother, Daniel Dooley, at the University of Georgia. This long-standing relationship underscores the significant personal trust and political capital invested in Dooley’s campaign.
Governor Kemp’s support extends beyond a mere endorsement; he commands Georgia’s most effective Republican political organization. A testament to this, Dooley has already enlisted key Kemp aides, including political strategist Cody Hall and fundraiser Chelsey Ruppersburg, to manage his campaign. This strategic staffing immediately provides Dooley with an established operational framework and experienced political operatives. However, this move also recalls Kemp’s previous attempts to support political novices, such as Kelly Loeffler, who ultimately lost to Democrat Raphael Warnock in a 2021 runoff, a campaign marred by conflict between Kemp and former President Trump.
The intricate relationship between Governor Kemp and former President Donald Trump looms large over the Georgia Senate primary. While Kemp and Trump had reportedly met to discuss unifying behind a candidate, the initial rollout of Dooley’s campaign suggests potential friction. Sources close to President Trump’s political team indicated they were “told to stand down” when Kemp floated Dooley’s name, as “Trump’s team wasn’t ready to move forward on anybody.” Yet, a source close to the governor countered this, stating it was “factually not true that they were told to stand down on Dooley,” adding that Kemp remains committed to working with the president and his team.
Dooley enters a competitive Republican field that already includes U.S. Representatives Buddy Carter and Mike Collins, along with activist Reagan Box. Both Congressmen Carter and Collins have actively sought to align themselves closely with former President Trump, aiming to capture the MAGA wing of the GOP. Congressman Collins, a self-identified Trump ally, notably showcased his support for the president in his campaign launch, touting his “close work with the president on passing the Laken Riley Act.” Carter, meanwhile, has declared himself a “MAGA warrior,” actively courting the president’s endorsement.
In contrast to his primary opponents, Dooley has adopted a distinct approach regarding his support for former President Trump. His campaign launch did not “center his messages around his support for Trump as heavily as the others did,” instead offering a more biographical summary. While he briefly praised Trump for “producing results” and pledged to “work with the president” at the video’s conclusion, this measured stance has drawn criticism. Opponents have “lampooned Dooley for failing to publicly support Trump before now,” with an anonymous “University of Tennessee-themed website called ‘Dooley’s Volunteers'” questioning his conservative credentials and featuring quotes from sports reporters criticizing his coaching tenure.
From the Democratic camp, the emerging Republican primary is viewed as a beneficial scenario for incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson underscored the unity within his party, stating, “Democrats are united. We only have one candidate, that’s U.S. Senator John Ossoff.” Johnson predicted that no matter who emerges from the Republican primary, “that person will be battered and bruised.” He argued that “it would be a very, very chaotic and messy primary,” which would allow Ossoff to “use some of the things that came up during that primary fight” and grant him “more time to prepare to whoever the nominee is going to be.”
The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee (DSCC) echoed this sentiment, with spokesperson Maeve Coyle stating that Dooley is perceived as “a failed football coach who has only ever spoken out to cheerlead Medicaid cuts that hurt Georgians.” Coyle further asserted, “As this primary gets even more crowded and devolves into a proxy war between President Trump and Governor Kemp, Senator Ossoff is fighting for working families in Georgia and will hold his seat in 2026.” This narrative highlights the Democratic strategy of portraying the Republican primary as an internecine struggle, while positioning Ossoff as a consistent advocate for Georgians.
The Georgia Senate race is widely considered crucial for Republicans aiming to either expand or maintain their current Senate majority. Senator Ossoff is seen as “the Senate’s most vulnerable Democratic incumbent seeking reelection next year,” making Georgia a prime pick-up opportunity for the GOP. The state has emerged as a critical battleground, with recent presidential election results reflecting its competitive nature. Joe Biden won the state in 2020 by less than half a percentage point, while Donald Trump won by just over 2 points in 2024. This fluctuating electoral landscape underscores the high stakes for both parties in the upcoming Senate contest.
The urgency for Georgia Republicans to reclaim a Senate seat is palpable, given recent electoral history. Losses by Republican candidates David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler to Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, respectively, in 2021 runoffs, significantly impacted the balance of power, effectively “handed control of the U.S. Senate to Democrats.” Furthermore, the 2022 cycle saw another setback with the defeat of football legend Herschel Walker to Senator Raphael Warnock. Walker’s campaign was described as “bruising” and “plagued with abortion allegations and questions on his readiness to serve in the Senate,” leading to “key candidate disparities” between him and Governor Kemp in the gubernatorial race.
Dooley’s candidacy is far from an isolated instance of a football figure transitioning into the political arena. There is a discernible precedent for such a path, both in Georgia and nationally. His late father, Vince Dooley, was frequently discussed as a potential candidate himself, and his mother, Barbara Dooley, ran in a Republican primary for Congress in 2002, though she lost. On the national stage, former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville was elected to the Senate from Alabama in 2020, and University of Nebraska coaching legend Tom Osborne served three terms in the U.S. House. Former University of Tennessee quarterback and NFL player Heath Shuler also represented North Carolina in the House for eight years.
Drawing directly from his coaching philosophy, Dooley articulates his vision for Georgia and America through the lens of the “American Spirit.” He posits, “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.” He translates this ethos to his political aspirations, stating, “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.” This framing attempts to connect his professional past with his political future, emphasizing resilience and opportunity.
As the Georgia Senate race for 2026 takes shape, Derek Dooley’s entry injects a fresh, yet familiar, element into the political discourse. Backed by Governor Brian Kemp but navigating a complex relationship with former President Trump, Dooley’s campaign will undoubtedly be a key indicator of Republican unity and strategy in a pivotal battleground state. The dynamics within the Republican primary, coupled with the unified front presented by Senator Ossoff and the Democrats, promise a fascinating and closely observed contest. The outcomes here will not only shape Georgia’s representation in Washington but could also significantly influence the broader control of the U.S. Senate, making this a race of profound national consequence.
