Legendary former University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley died Friday at the age of 90, according to a statement from the school.
Dooley was surrounded by his wife and four children when he peacefully passed, UGA’s statement read.
In Dooley’s 25 years of coaching the Georgia Bulldogs from 1964-1988, he became the winningest head coach in school history, with 201 victories. During his tenure, he led the program to 20 bowl games, six SEC Championships, and to a National Championship victory in 1980, according to UGA’s website.
Damn Good Dawg.
Rest In Peace, Coach Dooley. pic.twitter.com/gE16alaRcO
— Georgia Bulldogs (@UGAAthletics) October 28, 2022
Georgia’s current head coach of the football program, Kirby Smart, shared his sympathy for the SEC legend in a Twitter post following the news of Dooley’s passing. Smart called him “one of a kind” in his tweet.
Our family is heartbroken by the death of Coach Dooley. 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.
— Coach Kirby Smart (@KirbySmartUGA) October 28, 2022
The university honored Dooley by renaming its playing field after him in 2019, officially changing Sanford Stadium to Dooley Field. (RELATED: Former NFL Player And College Football Coach Calvin Magee Dies At The Age OF 59)
Though Dooley’s passing is incredibly sad, he lived an extraordinary life that certainly had a positive impact on countless others.