AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > February > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat’s it like to be Vince Dooley?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Now Vince Dooley has a whole section of Georgia’s campus named in his honor, and a fancy statue is on the way. Then again, he has been a football coach, an athletics director, a state icon and often all of those things at once during much of the past 44 years for barkers in the Bulldog Nation from Athens to Rome to Valdosta.
Which begs the question: What is it like to be Vincent J. Dooley as an overwhelming figure to many?
I mean, how does it feel?
“I’m recognizable. I’ve come to that conclusion, at least in the state, so I don’t get surprised at it,” said Dooley, 75, pausing, before easing into a chuckle when contemplating whether he has become bigger than life. “I’m always aware that not everybody feels that way. Some people feel very strongly and passionately for me, which I appreciate. But I also realize that other people don’t feel that way.”
No question there. Some view Dooley’s legend as just a creation of a guy named Herschel. In fact, if you subtract those years with Mr. Walker from Dooley’s life, you have a coach with no national championship and a bunch of seven-victory seasons against few opponents worth mentioning outside of the SEC. There also is Dooley’s frosty relationship with Michael Adams. Let’s just say the Georgia president would prefer dining with Uga VI than the former AD that he forced to retire early.
Speaking of Uga VI, when compared to their fawning counterparts, most of the Vince Dooley haters in the state could squeeze into the doghouse of that Georgia mascot. “I probably see it more than he does,” said Barbara Dooley, referring to the masses that have elevated her husband into a little god since he arrived to coach the Bulldogs in 1963. Added the loving and vocal wife, “I get tickled when they are in his presence. It’s just different.”
So different that Vince Dooley says he doesn’t pay attention to it all. “I guess what I have done is come to grow into [the role of Georgia legend] and to accept it over a period of time, and I really don’t think much of it,” Dooley said. “Then if I ever feel like your head might be swelling, I always say a prayer of humility to remind myself who I am, and that settles it.”
This isn’t to say Dooley is oblivious to the eternal gawkers around him, especially with his recognizable profile and the coming of that statue that will sit at the corner of South Lumpkin Street and Pinecrest Drive. It’s an area that has many of Georgia’s athletic facilities, and after getting approved this month by Georgia’s Board of Regents, the area will be called “Vince Dooley Athletic Complex.”
Just like that, the visitors around Dooley will grow even more from a crowd to a friendly mob during just a stop to a Chick-fil-A in the state. He will spend even more time talking than sleeping on flights to and from Atlanta during his many travels courtesy of those wishing to shake his hand, hear his stories or tell him theirs.
Dooley laughed, saying, “Some people look at me, and they’re not really sure who I am. Or some people who haven’t seen me will say, ‘I’ve seen you somewhere.’ Some are more outwardly expressive than others by just calling my name out. Some kind of just look and then blurt out, ‘What is your name?’ Some won’t say anything, but you kind of feel that they’re maybe thinking who I might be. I’ve gotten used to it. But most all of them are very nice.”
So what about Dooley? Who causes his eyes to widen as much as many of those who saunter into his world?
Actually, the answer is that person who joins Dooley as the two biggest sports legends in the history of the state.
Hank Aaron.
“It was kind of a special thrill meeting him, and I guess you can say, ‘awe,’ because we’re both from Mobile,” Dooley said. “I used to always say that we both were from the wrong side of the tracks, because we both grew up with very, very modest means. But we were on different sides of tracks because of segregation back then. To follow his career and then to finally sit down and have dinner with Hank was a thrill.”
Dooley sighed, adding softly, “So, you know, if some people feel that way about me, I can understand how they feel.”
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Terence Moore, UGA / SEC
Comments
By David Henderson
February 23, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
Greatest coach in the history of college football - move over BEAR!
By Ted Turner
February 23, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this
Punch every last one of you square in the nose. I’ve met Vince, didn’t punch him — did not have any desire what so ever to punch him — that’s saying something!
All you other pansy pasty faced Nancy boys, really try my patience with your whiney little finger key tapping responses to silly blogs like this one. Terrance Moore!
I’m the biggest sports legend in this state, dammit! I’ve raced my yachts to unprecedented success in the Americas Cup — I’m the reason Hank Aaron was even in Atlanta (Ivan had a little to do with it too).
I lived in downtown when no one else ventured inside the perimeter. I lived at the top of the world’s tallest escalator (had it built myself) in the OMNI — right next to Sid & Marty Krofft! Hell, H.R. Pufnstuf was really my idea after an all night bender at Dante’s.
Terrance, give me my props! Square in the nose man, you’ll tear-up, and that will be my laughter you’ll hear while you cry.
By John
February 23, 2008 2:39 AM | Link to this
I had the good fortune to be invited to Coach Dooley’s house approximately 10 years ago for a celebration honoring Bill Hartman award winner Hilton Young. My family and I got an early start and we were the first ones to arrive at his house that morning. I parked on the curb and saw Coach Dooley standing on his front porch and I told my wife and kids, “I think we are at the right house, let me walk down and make sure”. The Dooley’s have a large picturesque front yard, with a brook flowing through it. I walked down, crossed over the brook, proceeded to the front porch, and introduced myself. Coach Dooley shook my hand and invited me inside. He introduced me to a couple of graduate students that were there to help with the gathering. He then invited me down to his trophy room and showed me a plethora of UGA memorabilia (rings, trophies, pictures, etc.) and talked Georgia football for what seemed like 10-15 minutes. He then told me he needed to take a shower and get ready for the party. We walked up to the kitchen where he introduced me to Barbara, and then he left to get ready. Mrs. Dooly was very genuine; she asked me about my family and in just a few minutes I felt like I had known her my entire life. Believe me when I say this, as impressive as Vince Dooly is, his wife Barbara is just as remarkable.
I walked back to our car to get my wife and children. A few minutes later, our friend Hilton Young arrived at Coach Dooley’s house. Hilton, Coach Dooley, and I then stood in Coach Dooley’s driveway and greeted other guests (many of them ex UGA players) as they arrived. After the celebration and lunch honoring Hilton, we went to Sanford Stadium to watch the Dogs play. My family and I got to sit in Coach Dooley’s box during the game. About half way through the game, we were struggling moving the ball and I walked up the aisle, stood next to Coach Dooley, and said “we need to run the ball”. He looked at me, smiled, and made a few additional comments. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves that day; a day we’ll never forget. But what I was most impressed with was how cordial and down to earth the Dooley’s were … it was a thrill!
By RJ
February 23, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
I don’t know Coach Dooley other than through the TV and press, have never met the man but it is funny how you can get a feel for someone by simply paying attention to how they act and react to things said about them and in his case the team he coached for o so many years. I don’t consider Coach Dooley to be one of the all time great football coaches but did admire his consistency. As a long time Dawg fan I always thought he was a little conservative but never questioned his intentions, motives or integrity. He also won a National Championship and his share of SEC titles. That is not debatable. He never made me feel embarrassed for the program for something he did or didn’t do and he made me feel honored and proud to be a bulldog fan. For me that meant a lot. I am sure he is not perfect, as none of us are but I feel he deserves the honors, appreciation and respect he is being given by the vast majority of fans and those who really know him well. Thanks Coach Dooley for all those great memories and for setting the bar and expectations high.
By The Official Terence Moore Scorecard!!!
February 23, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the official Terence Moore scorecard. The scoring grid is as follows:
Making a man ‘chuckle’: 2 pts Reference to the Oakland Raiders: 1 pt Reference to the San Francisco 49ers and/or Bill Walsh: 2 pts Reference to The Big Red Machine, Pete Rose and/or Joe Morgan: 2 pts Reference to Notre Dame: 2 pts Invoking the name of Art Shell: 25 pts Using the term ‘greatness’: 1 pt Using the term ‘goodness to greatness’: 3 pts Discussion of racial issues: 5 pts Endorsing a black head coach/GM: 3 pts Referring to UGA fans ‘barking’: 2 pts Sentences with five or less words to enhance signifigance: 3 pts Making a positive comment about and ATL pro team: (-2 pts)
TM Chart: 30+ pts: Worst Article Ever Written 25-29 pts: Goodness To God-Awfulness 20-24 pts: Touchdown Jesus Is Weeping 15-19 pts: Chuckle-worthy 10-14 pts: Bill Walsh Would Be Proud 5-9 pts: Is this Really Steve Hummer?? 0-4 pts: Someone’s Been On Jim Rome Is Burning Too Much This Week Negative Points: Best Article Ever
Today’s Article: 13 pts: Bill Walsh Would be Proud
Who wouldnt be after not only making Vincinzo chuckle early in the article, but making him LAUGH later again, garnering an extra point!!!! The two-word Hank Aaron sentence??
Classic TM.
Only three points for the segregation comment, since it was spoken (goaded??) from Vincinzo’s gullet.
Selah, to the funniest columnist ever, Chuckles the Militant Clown.
By Gene
February 23, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
To equate Dooly’s success with Hershel Walker is silly. Dooley averaged seven wins a year when teams played ten games, and he put UGA on the national map as a successful program. Adams and Richt have replaced that reputation with an image of bad sportsmanship, criminal behavior of players, and the worst graduation rate in the conference.
By gregodawg
February 23, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Paragraphs John. Paragraphs.
By dawgfan
February 23, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Ahem. I suppose I see the point of the column. I just would like to point out that Dooley coached at UGA from 1964 thru 1988, won 3 of his 6 SEC titles before Herschel showed up, and beat some very good teams outside of the SEC, including a very good SMU team in 1966, the excellent Maryland ‘73 squad, and Texas in the ‘83 Cotton Bowl. Also important is his 19-6 record against Ga Tech.
By FLA DAWG
February 23, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
BOYCOTT MOORE: DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
By FLA DAWG
February 23, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
BOYCOTT MOORE: DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
By FLA DAWG
February 23, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
BOYCOTT MOORE: DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
BOYCOTT MOORE; DO NOT BLOG HERE
By doug
February 23, 2008 9:37 PM | Link to this
Bravo Terrance. Once again another neatly packaged political statement. Your so clever. A brilliant eleteist.
When you get down to it we just witnessed another smiling rendition of “Get the White Man” from Terrance the Great.
By reality check
February 23, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
P** poor “journalism”. Just what we have come to expect from T. Moore.
You like to play fast and loose with the facts, Terence. You say that absent the Herschel years Dooley had a bunch of 7 win seasons without notable impact. Yout comments denigrate multiple SEC championships and top ten finishes.
You are nothing but a critic without credible achievement, Terence. What Franklin Roosevelt called, “…one of those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Go ahead and flatter yourself that what you say about Vince Dooley means something.
I’ve got news for you, chump. It doesn’t.
By reality check
February 23, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
You are also very confused if you think Adams would have his choice of dining companions, UGA or otherwise.
Dooley will always be well remembered by Georgia fans. You and Mike Adams will not be.
By FL DAWG
February 23, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
Coach Dooley was simply a great head coach for Georgia. He lead men with integrity and honor. I wish him the best. Coach Richt is much the same. Hopefully, he will be remembered with even more fervent fans of UGA.
By Disgusting
February 23, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
What in the fvck is Terence still doing writing articles anything related the Univ of Georgia? I was hoping he and the AJC had gotten the clear word from 99% of Georgia fans that WE DON’T WANT TO HEAR FROM HIM. Can you get a fvxking clue already? Jesus.
By ............................................BuLLdawg
February 24, 2008 3:23 AM | Link to this
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By Tom
February 23, 2008 3:10 PM
” Let me tell all the Adams fans out there. Vince Dooley is a class-act. I was a Freshman at Auburn when I first met Coach Dooley, and from that time to the present CLASS speaks of him. At least name the field after him
” as we a field named after a Georgia player, Pat Dye. “
” *Honor where honor is due.” *
END 1st Quote.
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2nd Quote :
Katherine R. Chandley: Bulldog fans can bestow the ‘Dooley Field’ honor
Story updated at 6:38 PM on Thursday, February 21, 2008
” effective today, I’m calling on the Bulldog Nation to start using ” Dooley Field ” in their everyday conversation when discussing that piece of hallowed ground between the hedges at Sanford Stadium. “
” We don’t need a higher authority to do this. And just watch the press and football fans everywhere follow our lead. “
Katherine R. Chandley
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