Former Football Coach Enters Georgia Senate Race

Derek Dooley joins a crowded GOP field looking to take on incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.).

Offensive coordinator Derek Dooley of the Missouri Tigers arrives before the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 17, 2018. Donald Page/Getty Images

Former football coach Derek Dooley announced on Aug. 4 that he is running in Georgia for the U.S. Senate, joining a crowded Republican field looking to take on incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.).

“I’m running because our state needs new leadership in Washington D.C., and professional politicians like Jon Ossoff are the problem,” Dooley said in a statement.

Dooley expressed support for President Donald Trump.

“Leadership matters,“ he said. ”Our state doesn’t have a voice in the U.S. Senate who reflects Georgia values because Ossoff is more concerned with protecting his own political future, opposing everything the Trump Administration is working to accomplish, and repeatedly voting with the extreme left.”

Dooley pitched himself as an outsider.

“I’m not part of the political establishment, and I haven’t spent my life climbing the D.C. political ladder,” he said.

Dooley played football at the University of Virginia between 1987 and 1990. For 28 years, he coached football at both the collegiate and the NFL level, and he was the head coach at Louisiana Tech University and the University of Tennessee.

“For thirty years, I led young people from all walks of life and fought every day to create hope and opportunity for them and their families,” he said.

“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 said he will fight for the people of Georgia if elected to the Senate, particularly on issues such as border security.

“I’m running to put Georgia First and bring common sense to D.C.,” he said in the statement.

“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.

“As your Senator, I’ll work hard every day alongside President Trump to keep our borders secure and our communities safe, keep your taxes low, stand with the brave men and women who serve our country, and create greater opportunities for all Georgians.”

Other Republicans running for Ossoff’s seat include Reps. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Mike Collins (R-Ga.). Both of them have expressed their support for Trump.