Another former college football coach is looking to make his way to the U.S. Senate. Former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley has announced he’s running for the U.S. Senate in Georgia. If Dooley gets elected, he would be the second coach from the SEC to be elected to a U.S. Senate seat this decade. U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama was previously the head coach at Auburn. ABC News reported more on Dolley’s campaign: Derek Dooley, a former University of Tennessee football coach, is launching a bid Monday for the Senate in Georgia, entering a shifting political landscape as candidates vie for coveted endorsements and the chance to unseat Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Dooley is leaning on his football background in his campaign launch, highlighting the fact that he is a political outsider and likening his views on sports to the world of politics. “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 says in his release. “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.” Watch his first campaign video: Professional politicians always put themselves first. It’s time to put Georgia First. That’s why I’m running for Senate. pic.twitter.com/og7TdsPbQ9 — Derek Dooley (@DerekDooleyGA) August 4, 2025 ESPN reported Dooley has already taken a few shots at current U.S. Senator from Georgia Jon Ossoff: Former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley on Monday announced his 2026 Republican bid for the U.S. Senate in Georgia against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. The 57-year-old Dooley is backed by Gov. Brian Kemp and has been teasing a bid since June. Kemp turned to Dooley after deciding not to run for the seat himself. Georgia Republicans are looking to topple Ossoff, considered the Senate’s most vulnerable Democratic incumbent seeking reelection next year. “Professional politicians like Jon Ossoff are the problem,” Dooley said in a two-minute launch video. “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.” Georgia Gov. Kemp and Trump met and said they would try to agree on a preferred candidate. Anyone anointed by both would be stamped as the Republican front-runner. Kemp told Collins and others on July 24 that he would support Dooley. But Trump isn’t ready to endorse yet, and Dooley is moving forward without Trump’s blessing, an indication the joint effort may be faltering. Ex-Tennessee coach Derek Dooley jumps into Georgia Senate race against Jon Ossoff https://t.co/kyPyZKD8zH pic.twitter.com/rKKjZXNSTg — New York Post (@nypost) August 4, 2025