BIOGRAPHY
Born and raised in Athens, Georgia, Derek played football and graduated from Clarke Central High School. He attended the University of Virginia to pursue his undergraduate degree in Foreign Affairs and Government and chose to walk on to the UVA football team as a receiver, where he played all four years and was named first team Academic All-ACC his senior year. Derek then went on to earn his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1994.
Derek began his professional career practicing law at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough in Atlanta, before he started his 28-year coaching career at the University of Georgia in 1996 as a graduate assistant. From there, Derek coached nine years in the National Football League and nineteen years in college. At the time, he was the only head football coach in Division I college athletics to simultaneously serve as the school’s athletic director.
Following his career in coaching, Derek has pursued his passion of helping guide the future of college athletics by working with Group of 5 schools across the country to ensure collegiate sports continue to thrive for future generations. Derek and his wife, Allison, have three adult children and live in Clayton, Georgia.
HEADSHOTS
For press inquiries, please contact press@dooleyforgeorgia.com
PRESS RELEASES
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Derek Dooley Launches Georgia First Campaign for U.S. Senate
ATLANTA — Political outsider and former football coach Derek Dooley announced his campaign to defeat professional politician Jon Ossoff and deliver new leadership for Georgia in the U.S. Senate.
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Governor Kemp Endorses Derek Dooley
The popular, two-term governor pledged his full support and the backing of his political and financial network to Dooley's campaign as the former football coach builds strong momentum after announcing his candidacy just over three weeks ago.
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Derek Dooley Applauds Governor Kemp for Sending Georgia National Guard to Assist with Trump Administration’s D.C. Crime Crackdown
Today, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that 316 Georgia National Guardsmen are being deployed to Washington, D.C., to assist with the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to crack down on the rampant crime that has overtaken the streets of our nation’s capital.
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ICYMI: Governor Kemp Endorses Derek Dooley
ATHENS, GA – This past weekend, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp endorsed political outsider and Georgia First fighter, Derek Dooley, for United State Senate.
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Derek Dooley Announces Don Leebern III as Campaign Chairman
Atlanta, GA – Today, political outsider Derek Dooley announced successful businessman Donald M. “Don” Leebern III as Campaign Chairman for his Georgia First campaign for the United States Senate.
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Derek Dooley Raises Nearly $2 Million in 58 Days for U.S. Senate
ATLANTA – Political outsider Derek Dooley announced his Georgia First campaign for the United States Senate raised nearly $2 million in just 58 days. The impressive sum of over $1.85 million raised and $1.7 million cash on hand is a testament to the momentum the first-time candidate is building all across the state of Georgia and further proof that he is the best-positioned Republican candidate to defeat professional politician Jon Ossoff in next year’s general election.