Former Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley eyes GOP Senate run against Jon Ossoff in Georgia

Former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley says he is considering running for U.S. Senate in 2026 as a Republican against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. Gov. Brian Kemp’s decision not to run for the seat has left Georgia Republicans looking for other options to face off against Ossoff. The 56-year-old Dooley says he will decide on a bid in coming weeks. Among Republicans who have declared their candidacies are U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, Insurance Commissioner John King and activist Reagan Box. Dooley would be banking on his status as the son of legendary University Georgia coach Vince Dooley and Kemp’s long ties to the Dooley family.