Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, left, endorses Derek Dooley, R-Ga., right, for the U.S. Senate Saturday. (@DerekDooleyGA via X)
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The former University of Tennessee coach and son of former UGA coach Vince Dooley coached in the NFL for almost a decade and in college football for nearly 20 years. He continues to work with Group of Five schools across the country.
Following Dooley's campaign launch, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson Maeve Coyle released a statement knocking his coaching career.
"The latest addition to Georgia’s messy and chaotic GOP primary is a failed football coach who has only ever spoken out to cheerlead Medicaid cuts that hurt Georgians," Coyle wrote. "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."
Former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley spoke to supporters at a tailgate rally Saturday. (@DerekDooleyGA via X)
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Kemp, a two-term governor, described Dooley as a "true political outsider," adding Ossoff's voting record does not reflect the state's values, leaving room for an upset.
"You cannot run from that kind of record, and that is why I think we have an opportunity to win this race," Kemp said.
Dooley said in a statement to Fox News Digital he is deeply honored to have the governor's support.
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"Governor Kemp has led this state with strong leadership, integrity, and achieved historic accomplishments during truly unprecedented times in our state and nation," he wrote. "Georgians know him and trust him. I hope to bring that same leadership style focused on conservative results to the U.S. Senate by defeating Jon Ossoff next November.
"The Governor's support gives our campaign incredible momentum as we continue to earn support from hardworking Georgians all across our state."
Kemp's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation and influence government response.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gov-brian-kemp-endorses-former-football-coach-derek-dooley-outside-georgia-stadium-2026-us-senate-bid