Auburn football releases heartfelt statement on the death of legendary Georgia coach Vince Dooley

Before he became the legendary head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, Vince Dooley played his college football for the Auburn Tigers from 1951-1953. He played quarterback during his time at Auburn. On Friday evening, when news broke that one of the most iconic figures in SEC history passed away at the age of 90, the Auburn football Twitter account decided to share a heartfelt message.

In loving memory of Vince Dooley, former Auburn player and coach and one of the most iconic figures in the history of the SEC.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dooley family and our friends at the University of Georgia. pic.twitter.com/9LpCe3OyTa

— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) October 28, 2022

“In loving memory of Vince Dooley, former Auburn player and coach and one of the most iconic figures in the history of the SEC. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dooley family and our friends at the University of Georgia,” the Tigers’ Twitter account posted on Friday evening.

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Legendary Georgia football coach Vince Dooley dies at 90

Vince Dooley, the legendary Georgia head coach, has died. The program announced the news Friday ahead of the Bulldogs’ rivalry matchup with Florida in Jacksonville.

Dooley, 90, passed away Friday afternoon, according to a statement from Georgia Athletics. He was recently released from the hospital following a bout with COVID-19, according to the Athens Banner-Herald, and his daughter said he was doing “so much better.”

A College Football Hall of Famer, Dooley is the winningest coach in Georgia program history, totaling 201 wins in 25 years as Bulldogs’ head coach from 1964-88. He also led them to six SEC championships and a national title in 1980 — Georgia’s last national championship before knocking off Alabama last season.

Dooley also served as Georgia’s athletic director from 1979-2004 and worked as a consultant at Kennesaw State when the university decided to start a football program in 2009. Before arriving in Athens, Dooley served as an assistant at his alma mater, Auburn, from 1956-63 and was even in talks to become the Tigers’ head coach after leading Georgia to the national title. Ultimately, he decided to stay in Athens.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this article.