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Kirby Smart releases heartfelt statement on death of legendary Georgia coach Vince Dooley

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•10/28/22•

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Tony Walsh/UGA Sports Communications

Georgia lost a legend on Friday when former national championship-winning coach Vince Dooley passed away at the age of 90. After the news came out, Kirby Smart released a heartfelt statement on Twitter.

Smart played at Georgia from 1995-98 at the same time Dooley served as athletic director following his illustrious career as the Bulldogs’ head coach. Dooley served as Georgia’s headman from 1964-88 and became the winningest coach in program history, totaling 201 wins over that time.

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In 1980, Dooley led Georgia to a national championship — the last time the Bulldogs’ won the title until last year when Smart led the Bulldogs to the mountaintop. Dooley was in attendance for the game and came onto the field for the celebration.

“Our family is heartbroken by the death of Coach Dooley,” Smart tweeted. “He was one of a kind with an unmatched love for UGA! He and Barbara embraced my family from day one. He will be missed in our community, university, and in college athletics.”

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.