Report: Legendary Georgia coach Vince Dooley released from hospital after bout with COVID-19

Legendary Georgia coach Vince Dooley has been released from the hospital following a bout with COVID-19, according to a report Monday evening from Athens Banner-Herald reporter Marc Weizer.

Weizer tweeted Monday that Dooley was released and his daughter, Deanna, noted he’s ‘doing so much better.’

Dooley was hospitalized over the weekend with what was described as a ‘mild case of COVID,’ according to a UGA athletics spokesperson. The long-time former SEC coach is 90 years old.

Good news to pass along. Former Georgia football coach Vince Dooley was released from the hospital today after a bout with COVID, according to his daughter Deanna. She says he's "doing so much better."

— Marc Weiszer (@marcweiszer) October 10, 2022

The news that Vince Dooley was hospitalized came shortly before Georgia faced Auburn on Saturday, a matchup near and dear to Dooley’s heart. The long-time SEC coach played at Auburn and coached there before eventually taking the Georgia job and earning legendary status.

Vince Dooley is an icon in SEC circles

The news that Vince Dooley was hospitalized rocked the SEC over the weekend, with many expressing their concern and well wishes for the former SEC head coach.

Dooley was a long-time Auburn assistant before taking the head coaching job at Georgia. He played quarterback for the Tigers from 1951-53 before serving as an assistant coach there until 1964.

He then took over the Georgia program, where he compiled a 201-77-10 record from 1964-88, winning one national championship and six SEC titles. Wrote On3’s Steve Samra, describing Dooley’s lengthy accomplishments:

“During his coaching career, Dooley amassed a record of 201-77-10 as the lead of the Bulldogs. In addition to his title that he brought to Athens, the legendary coach also brought six SEC titles, as well.

“With a long, illustrious career that inspired millions, Dooley was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

“In addition to being the head coach of the Bulldogs until 1984, Dooley was also the Georgia Athletic Director from 1979 to 2004. Indisputably, he’s one of the most important people to ever come through Athens.”