Former SEC Coach Derek Dooley Launches Republican Senate Campaign In Georgia With Trump Support

Derek Dooley, a former head football coach at Tennessee and assistant at Georgia, has officially entered the 2026 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Backed by Donald Trump, Dooley aims to leverage his deep ties to Southern sports culture and a conservative platform to challenge the Democratic incumbent in a critical battleground state.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 15, 2026, 3:51 PM EST

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Associated Press

Source received: Associated Press - Former football coach Derek Dooley enters Georgia's Republican Senate race. Ready to edit.

Former SEC Coach Derek Dooley Launches Republican Senate Campaign In Georgia With Trump Support

Derek Dooley a former head football coach at Tennessee and assistant at Georgia has officially entered the 2026 Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. Backed by Donald Trump Dooley aims to leverage his deep ties to Southern sports culture and a conservative platform to challenge the Democratic incumbent in a critical battleground state.

Category & Subcategory: Politics > U.S. Elections

From the Gridiron to the Political Arena

Derek Dooley the son of legendary Georgia football coach Vince Dooley has transitioned from a career in collegiate and professional sports to the high stakes world of federal politics. Dooley announced his candidacy this week positioning himself as a political outsider capable of bringing leadership and discipline to Washington. His entry into the race follows months of speculation regarding which Republican figure could consolidate the party's base in a state that has become a central focus of national electoral strategy.