Vince Dooley transformed the Georgia Football program

For the past decade, many would consider Georgia football to be a premier program in college football.

Although Georgia football may not have the rings and trophies that some other schools have, the Dawg seemingly always are competitive and a top-tier team in the East. This all being thanks to Coach Vince Dooley. 

Let’s take a flashback to 1964, the year that Dooley took over as the head coach for the Georgia football program.

The season before, Georgia finished with a record of 4-5-1 under Head Coach Johnny Griffith.

During his three years with Georgia, Griffith failed to post a winning record.

The very next season, the Dawgs saw a very quick change in direction for the program as Dooley led Georgia to a record of 7-3-1 in his first serving as head coach.

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Two years later, Georgia finished with a record of 10-1 and ranked No.  4 in the country in 1966.

The success continued to build up as in 1971 Georgia finished 11-1 overall and with a 5-1 conference record, and finished No. 3 in the nation.

To this point, Dooley had also avoided recording a losing record as head coach for the Dawgs and would not do so until 1970 when Georgia went 5-6 which would also be his only losing season with Georgia.

Then rolled around the memorable year of 1980 as well as the greatest Georgia football player and one of the best college athletes in history rolled into town.

This man needs to introduction, but it is fair to say that Vince Dooley and Herschel Walker changed the way people looked at the Georgia football program.

During the three-year stint that Dooley coached Walker, they brought in a national championship, a Heisman Trophy, and respect under Georgia’s name.

The closest  Dooley ever came to winning another national title was in 1983 as Georgia finished 10-1-1 and No. 7 in the nation.

Although Dooley only brought home one national championship to the Dawgs, his legacy brings us to where we are today as he was able to transform Georgia football from a bottom-tier football program to what is now considered one the best in the nation.

During his time with Georgia, Dooley racked up a record of 201-77-10, a win percentage of .715, six conference championships, and one National title in 1980.

He would also serve time as the school’s athletic director from 1979-2004.

A historical collection of 25 years spent with the Georgia football program and will forever be recognized as one of the greats in school history.

The University of Georgia has decided to honor Dooley for his collection of accolades by naming the football field after him. The reveal of Dooley Field can be seen this Saturday against Murray State before the game.

Had it not been for Dooley’s recruitment of Herschel Walker, Georgia may have never been able to reel in some of the Nation’s top talent in recent years.

You know players, like Todd Gurley II, Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, and now D’Andre Swift.

Had Georgia never landed Dooley as a head coach who knows where this program would be now.

Another Georgia great, Wally Butts, once said “I don’t care where a man comes from or how he spells his name. All I ask is that he be loyal to Georgia, proud of that jersey, and try like the devil to win.”

Dooley was as loyal as a Dawg could ever be, was a successful winner, and it is because of those things that he was able to transform the red and black into a powerhouse football program.

It was because of Dooley that fans expect Georgia to win, expect great things, and expect a coach to be loyal to the G.

Dooley did not just love the game of football. He loved the city of Athens, the University, his players, and loved repping the red and black every Saturday.

He set an example of what it truly means to be a damn good dawg.

Coach Dooley, Dawg Nation owes a significant number of thanks for everything that you did for this program, and it is because of you that so many put on the red and black every Saturday to cheer on the Dawgs.

Dooley set a foundation that was built upon leadership, loyalty, and tenacity, which are values that will forever remain with this program.

Much like how Dooley will forever hold a piece of responsibility for the success that the Georgia football program has for the rest of time.