Derek Dooley, former UT football coach, enters Georgia Senate race against incumbent Jon Ossoff.

Former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley has announced his bid for the 2026 Republican nomination in the Georgia U.S. Senate race against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff. Backed by Governor Brian Kemp, Dooley, a political newcomer, joins other Republican candidates including U.S. Representatives Buddy Carter and Mike Collins. Georgia Republicans aim to unseat Ossoff, seen as the Senate's most vulnerable Democratic incumbent. Dooley, son of legendary coach Vince Dooley, promises to bring "Georgia common sense" to the Senate.