Vince Dooley
Full Name and Common Aliases
Vince Dooley was born Vincent Joseph Dooley on April 4, 1932, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Birth and Death Dates
He passed away on October 28, 2021, at the age of 90.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Dooley was an American football player, coach, and athletic director. He is most notably recognized as a pioneering figure in college football and his impact on the University of Georgia.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Louisiana, Dooley's passion for football began at an early age. His family moved to Atlanta when he was 12 years old, where he attended Marist School and developed his skills as a player. He received a scholarship to Auburn University but transferred to the University of Georgia due to health concerns.
Major Accomplishments
Dooley's career is marked by several significant achievements:
As an athletic director at the University of Georgia (1989-2004), he led the institution through significant growth and development, including the construction of Sanford Stadium.
He coached the Bulldogs for 25 seasons, earning a record of 201-117-6 (.633 winning percentage). His teams won six Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships.
Under his leadership, the program produced many notable players, including Charley Trippi and Herschel Walker.Notable Works or Actions
Dooley's contributions extend beyond his coaching career:
He was instrumental in establishing the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as a premier collegiate athletic conference.
He served as an advocate for college athletics, advocating for rule changes to improve player safety and enhance fan experience.
Dooley received numerous awards for his service to Georgia, including the prestigious Order of the Palmetto.
Impact and Legacy
Vince Dooley's impact on college football is immeasurable. His dedication to the sport and the University of Georgia has left a lasting legacy:
He is remembered as one of the greatest coaches in Georgia history.
The Vince Dooley Award, presented annually by the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, honors his contributions to the state's athletic community.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Dooley's quotes and statements often focus on the importance of hard work, dedication, and teamwork. His legacy serves as a reminder of the value of perseverance and passion in achieving success:
* "You can't be a champion if you don't have a lot of heart." – Vince Dooley
Quotes by Vince Dooley
His first five years, he's won two championships. In our first five years, we won two championships. So I think there's a lot of similarities.
I like the opportunity to get together with these coaches I've known over the years and exchange ideas. I think the process lends itself to sound judgments and a thorough evaluation of the teams. I think that we do have some credibility.
I'm open to more than before when I was athletic director. I'm selective now, but I was even more so when I was athletic director. Being employed by the university, I didn't feel like I needed to be as visible promoting things as I am now.
Take it from me, Vince Dooley, you'll be totally satisfied and your car will look and run like a winner.
It really hasn't been much different except I haven't had any staff meetings, and I haven't had to make any decisions. But as far as everything else is concerned, I've been just as busy as I've ever been. I've probably done as many things as I've ever done, if not more, because I don't have enough excuses to say no.
So when you get about 20 coaches most of whom have done very well together, it is like a reunion.
The SEC made the effort to get to 12 teams in order to have a championship game. If the ACC wants to do the same thing, why should we change a rule just for them when it's been on the books for a long, long time?
I've said many times that I knew Herschel was going to be good, but I never thought he would be that good that fast. But I was certainly going to give him the opportunity.
The passing game is more sophisticated now, but we are also more sophisticated in trying to defend it.
Stanfill put him on his tail four or five times, ... Steve was a great athlete, confident and cocky, but we put tremendous pressure on him. That was the best way I knew to stop the quarterback.