Georgia legend Vince Dooley passes away at 90 years old
Beloved and legendary Georgia head coach Vince Dooley has passed away according to an announcement by UGA Sports Information. Dooley celebrated his 90th birthday less than two months ago on September 4.
“Legendary former University of Georgia football coach and director of athletics Vince Dooley died peacefully at his home in the presence of his wife and their four children Friday afternoon at the age of 90. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, as well as the Georgia and Alabama Sports Halls of Fame, Dooley is Georgia’s winningest football coach with 201 victories, six SEC titles and the 1980 national championship in his 25 years leading the Bulldogs (1964-88). He was also the recipient of numerous awards for his service as director of athletics over a 25 year tenure (1979-2004).”
Georgia Sports Information
Vince Dooley served as Georgia’s head football coach for 25 years after coming over from his alma mater, Auburn, in 1964. He amassed a record of 201-77-10 and led the Bulldogs to one National Championship and six Southeastern Conference titles. In addition, Dooley was the first ever recipient of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award in 1976, an honor named after the former Georgia Tech head coach. Dooley went 3-0 against Dodd in his first three seasons as UGA’s head man.
When Vince Dooley decided to retire as a head coach in 1988, he was the second-winningest head coach in SEC history. He trailed only Paul “Bear” Bryant. His head coaching career at Georgia saw him dominate the Bulldogs next opponent in the present, Florida. Vince Dooley led his teams to a 18-6-1 record against Florida.
Vince Dooley also earned numerous other honors during his time as the leader for Georgia’s football program, taking home AFCA Coach of the Year, Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year, Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year, and Walter Camp Coach of the Year all in 1980. Dooley also received the Bear Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
In addition to his time at Georgia as head coach, Vince Dooley also served as the school’s Athletics Director. He held that post from 1979 to 2004, overseeing the hiring of three head football coaches and numerous leaders of other programs during that time.
You can add published author to Dooley’s list of achievements. Vince Dooley is also a member of sports hall of fames in two states, Georgia and Florida. Prior to his coaching career, Dooley served in the United States Marine Corps as an infantry officer.
The passing of Vince Dooley comes on the heals of another UGA legend’s death. Charley Trippi passed away at the age of 100 on October 19.
Dooley is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara, and four children, Deanna, Daniel, Denise, and Derek.
