Former Georgia football head coach Vince Dooley passed away peacefully in his Athens home on Friday, and since the news dropped, the outpouring of love he has received has been tremendous. Everyone has a Dooley story, which is a testament to what kind of man he was.
He wasnβt just the winningest football coach in Georgia history, but he paved the way for womenβs sports at the University of Georgia as the athletic director. Dooley was dedicated to Georgia until his final days, and that is who he was. No one loved the university the way Dooley did.
From current head coach Kirby Smart and the current athletic director Josh Brooks to Auburn football and Alabama coach Nick Saban, there are so many people honoring the legendary coach.
One thing is sure β everyone loved Coach Dooley. He was the collective grandfather for the countless players, coaches, fans, and anyone associated with the university of Georgia. Weβre all mourning him like he was a member of our families, which shows how impactful he was.
Vince Dooleyβs passing resulted in countless tributes from Georgia football fans, players, media members, and so many more.
There are so many good tributes to Dooley that we wanted to put them all together. While we didnβt get all of them, these were some of the ones that made us emotional. This loss is a major one for the Georgia program, and Athens will never be the same without Dooley.
Maybe now the Dawgs will erect a statue in his honor at Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium to honor him more than the one that sits outside the Butts Mehre building. Before we say anything else, we want this article to be about the tributes to Dooley and nothing more.
Grab a tissue because these tweets will make you tear up as you remember the legendary head coach. Also, if you have a tribute tweet, please send it to us so we can add you to this list.
Vince Dooley made an impact on the world that can never be forgotten pic.twitter.com/fITYHn0zts
β Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) October 28, 2022
The last Georgia team that Vince Dooley saw complete a season won a Natty. Thatβs definitely fitting.
β Lance (@SportsGuyLance) October 28, 2022
He was my role model, mentor and most all my friend. He will be missed. Love you Coach! pic.twitter.com/YMC6vUr6UE
β Josh Brooks (@Brooks_UGA) October 28, 2022
Hope the Dooleyβs know how much all my family and countless other families loved β¦@GeorgiaFootballβ© icon Vince Dooley. β€οΈβ₯οΈπRIP Coach. pic.twitter.com/EylituTmYa
β Tim Brando (@TimBrando) October 28, 2022
A statement from President Jere W. Morehead on the passing of legendary Bulldog Vince Dooley. pic.twitter.com/lp75qE2hec
β UGA (@universityofga) October 28, 2022
Heart-broken beyond measure to learn of the passing of Coach Vince Dooley. He was a mentor. He was a friend.
β Tony Barnhart (@MrCFB) October 28, 2022
Thank you Coach Dooley for the difference you made in my life. Maria and my entire family send our love to the Dooley family. May he rest in peace. We will miss you. pic.twitter.com/8kaAVqcQGt
Our deepest sympathies and prayers for the family and friends of Legendary MAN , Coach Vince Dooley. He and Barbara treated us with kindness during our time in @UGAAthletics. He made @GeorgiaFootball a household name and he made Leadership something we all aspire too. RIP Coach.
β Tom Crean (@TomCrean) October 28, 2022
All of the great things you have read and will read about Vince Dooley are true. What an amazing person and a legendary coach. He was always so gracious with his time.
β Brian Gebhardt (@brian_gebhardt) October 28, 2022
RIP to the π of UGA Football.. In 2015, Coach Dooley was grinding in the training room with me. Learned a lot from those 30 min convos on the bike. Thankful and appreciative for all he did for @GeorgiaFootball. Dawg Nation misses you already Coach, thank you. π₯Ή pic.twitter.com/UCy0XBY22r
β Jake Ganus (@jakeganus) October 29, 2022
RIP, Vince Dooley.
β Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 28, 2022
A kind man and a long life well-lived.
One of the kindest and most impressive men I've ever known ...https://t.co/rv2XWRgOxv
β Chip Towers AJC (@ctowersajc) October 28, 2022
Our finest Dawg.
β DawgsHQ (@DawgsHQ) October 28, 2022
Thank you for so many memories, wins and championships between those hedges on the field that will forever bear your name.
Not only did you make Georgia football better. You made Athens better. You made people better.
Rest In Peace, Coach. pic.twitter.com/TYgvJ7EfQa
Vince Dooley knew his plants and he knew his history
β Wes Blankenship (@Wes_nship) October 29, 2022
when I went to his home to talk to him about Georgia naming its football field after him
he spent more time talking to me about both of those things than he did about footballpic.twitter.com/8Ktyv3QpbL
RIP Coach Vince Dooley - football pioneer and a true gentleman. If Heaven has a football team, these two are reunited and the staff just got better. pic.twitter.com/dkgqagV0H4
β Dal Cannady (@wtocdalcannady) October 28, 2022
From the Vince Dooley statue on South campus, Georgia fan Daniel Dewitt brought flowers and a balloon to honor the UGA legend. pic.twitter.com/LDjF7Veapt
β Ryne Dennis (@RyneDennis) October 28, 2022
π to Coach Dooleyβs family!
β buck belue (@buckbelue8) October 28, 2022
The news that hit our team today about the great Coach Dooley was especially hard for this coach. He took a chance on me 27 years ago and then supported me all along the way. He was there when we won our first NCAA at Hazeltine and that is a great memory Iβll always remember!π’ pic.twitter.com/JHPIgl1OsP
β @UGAHaacker (@ugahaacker) October 29, 2022
Coach Dooley was a giant who made a lasting impact on all the athletic programs at UGA. He gave us the support we all needed to be successful at the national and conference levels. Having Coach there to celebrate our achievements on and off the golf course meant the world to us. pic.twitter.com/jEzdH6bGxo
β Georgia Golf (@UGAGolf) October 28, 2022
Growing up in Georgia, there were figures from the stateβs rich sports history that everyone knew at least a little about. Vince Dooley was one of them.
β Jordan D. Hill (@JordanDavisHill) October 28, 2022
I wrote about Dooley, my interactions with him and just what he meant to the world of UGA athletics https://t.co/kmVK4iL1iR
We are heartbroken. Love you, Coach Dooley! https://t.co/kQFcNNkLwn
β Georgia Basketball ππΆ (@UGA_WBB) October 28, 2022
Sad news for all but even more for Dawgs fans as we have a lost a legend in Vince Dooley! ππΎππΎππΎ pic.twitter.com/FAZuOGqkNy
β DjShockley (@DjShockley3) October 28, 2022
Absolutely heartbreaking to hear about the passing of Vince Dooley. He was one of the kindest people I have ever met. The world was a better place with Vince here but I know he is in a better place.
β David Pollack (@davidpollack47) October 28, 2022
Iβm pretty sure the first time I interviewed Vince Dooley, it was about hydrangeas. I was privileged to engage with him as a reporter, as an adminstrator, and as a teacher, and he was unfailingly gracious, professional, and genuine. His memory is a blessing for the UGA community.
β πππππ πππππ (@welchsuggs) October 28, 2022
πππ to the Dooley family during this time of grief. Coach Dooley was an icon and a role model to me. Even as a student, I learned so much from him, particularly how he treated people. His impact was profound. https://t.co/TANChSiwzj
β Jared Benko (@JaredBenko) October 28, 2022
Rest In Peace, Coach Dooley. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/F5MqhBezxO
β Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 28, 2022
Last spring I was lucky enough to be part of a ceremony as Coach Dooley was inducted into the GA Military Hall of Fame. It was an honor to be able to celebrate another side of him. This was a man who deeply loved his country. pic.twitter.com/iTzpnpXeyD
β Brandon Adams (@DawgNationDaily) October 28, 2022
RIP Coach Dooley.
β My God a Podcast! ππ (@mygodapodcast) October 28, 2022
We know Larry was waiting on you with a cigar ready.
Statement from @SEC Commissioner @GregSankey on passing of former @UGAAthletics head football coach and athletics director Vince Dooley: pic.twitter.com/5w4eSigeZv
β Southeastern Conference (@SEC) October 28, 2022
The thing I always marveled about Vince Dooley was his endurance in being kind.
β Dayne Young (@dayneyoung) October 28, 2022
He did thousands of book signings and posed for millions of pictures. I never once saw him in a grumpy mood while doing it. pic.twitter.com/GAFzGAWDMv
Have too many Vince Dooley memories to even start to share. I just know, the first time I ever spoke with him. I guess it was 1987...Phone interview...My first few months as a paid sports writer...talk about intimidated. But he couldn't have been nicer. #RIPVINCE
β Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) October 28, 2022
R.I.P. Vince Dooley
β Matt Green (@Matt_W_Green) October 28, 2022
The final national champion of his lifetime was the Georgia Bulldogs. And the #1 team in the country the day he died was the Georgia Bulldogs. Canβt beat that.#DGD #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/gAHWjL7WeG
Tomorrow is for Vince Dooley..π―β€οΈππ½ #GoDawgs #VinceDooley
β Chauncey Figgures (@cmfiggures) October 28, 2022
It is impossible to quantify what Coach Dooley has meant to the University of Georgia. He embodied everything that UGA represents and made where this program stands today possible. Dawg Nation, we celebrate and honor the life of a DGD! Thank you, Coach. pic.twitter.com/0MGmFxo3dh
β Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) October 28, 2022
In loving memory of Vince Dooley, former Auburn player and coach and one of the most iconic figures in the history of the SEC.
β Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) October 28, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Dooley family and our friends at the University of Georgia. pic.twitter.com/9LpCe3OyTa
Nick Saban on the passing of legendary Georgia head coach Vince Dooley pic.twitter.com/MZIBtsUdsh
β Tony Tsoukalas (@Tony_Tsoukalas) October 28, 2022
REST IN PARADISE VINCE DOOLEY #DamnGoodDawg ππΎππΎππΎ pic.twitter.com/D8TyKQlqoa
β Mecole Hardman Jr. (@MecoleHardman4) October 28, 2022
Legendary Georgia football coach Vince Dooley has died at the age of 90.
β SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 28, 2022
β’ 1980 National Championship
β’ Six SEC championships
β’ Winningest football coach in Georgia history
One of the all-time greats. pic.twitter.com/7S1u7q9YDN
Wow, I just saw Coach Dooley 2 weeks ago. Did not think that would be the last time
β Aaron Murray (@aaronmurray11) October 28, 2022
RIP to one of the best to ever represent the G. What an incredible coach and man, you will be missed
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.
β Coach Kirby Smart (@KirbySmartUGA) October 28, 2022
Rest easy Coach Dooley. #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/WOFwLhQ1a7
β TEwracademy (@TEwracademy) October 28, 2022
He was and is everything that we love about Georgia football. May the Lord bless, keep and comfort the Dooley family during this time. Thank you coach. Rest In Peace. #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/VfTpq56wV9
β Benjamin Watson (@BenjaminSWatson) October 28, 2022
960 The Refβs afternoon show also had multiple dedications to Dooley from the AJCβs Chip Towers telling stories and callers providing theirs. The love Dooley is getting right now shows how important he was to so many people, not just at Georgia but across all college football.
These are just a few of the hundreds, possibly thousands of messages that fans, media, former players, coaches, and even other universities have sent in honor of Dooley. These tributes show how important Dooley was to the college football world.
Georgia lost a legend today, and I know the Dawgs will honor the old head coach for the rest of the season. Losing someone like Dooley is shocking, even if he was 90, but all of these tributes make it known how much he was loved by the young and the old. Rest in peace, Coach Dooley and say hello for us to Larry Munson, Dan Magill, Erk Russell, and the rest of the DGDs waiting on you with cigars to once again watch a Georgia game together.
Donβt worry coach Dooley β we know Smart and his team will dominate the Gators in your honor tomorrow.