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AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2006 > December > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCatching up with Coach Dooley
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“I don’t think you can call it retirement.”
That’s how Vince Dooley, chatting with me one recent afternoon, described his very busy life since he stepped down as UGA athletic director. Between traveling for book signings and other public appearances, serving on various boards and continuing to promote the University of Georgia, the 74-year-old former coach barely has time for his famous garden.
I had e-mailed Coach Dooley to let him know I was writing up his recent children’s book, “How ’Bout Them Dawgs,” for the AJC’s News for Kids page (the article ran Tuesday), and he suggested I give him a call if I wanted to talk more. I did, and I found him as gracious, affable, charming and articulate as he was during his decades at UGA — among the reasons I was always extremely proud that Dooley was our coach and then AD.
Since the children’s book — dedicated to his 11 grandkids (he got Barbara to double-check that he spelled all the names correctly!) — was the original reason for contacting him, we started out talking about his career as an author, which actually dates back to 1969, when his “Developing a Superior Football-Control Attack,” a book aimed primarily at football coaches, was published.
“It’s long out of print, but I still hear from folks who want me to sign a copy,” he said.
When he retired as a football coach, he and Loran Smith did the “Dooley’s Dogs” coffeetable book, which covered his years at Georgia. And when he retired as athletic director they updated “Dooley’s Dogs.”
In 2005, the silver anniversary of the national championship team, Dooley teamed up with longtime Athens sportswriter Blake Giles on “Vince Dooley’s Tales of the 1980 Georgia Bulldogs,” which went through the entire season, game by game, including, he said, “the so-called purloined pig party that ended up sort of bonding that team together.”
Last year he also did another book with the AJC’s Tony Barnhart, “Dooley: My 40 Years at Georgia,” which he characterized as “a rehash of my career in a different way from ‘Dooley’s Dogs.’”
The hardest thing about that book, Dooley said, “was Chapter 11, dealing with the Adams situation. That was the toughest part to write. While I had some opinions, some things I would have liked to say … I had to do what I thought was in the best interests of the university. So I had to be a little more diplomatic. But my wife, who did the foreword, made a few comments that I probably wouldn’t have made.”
(Barbara said in the foreword that she thought President Michael Adams came to UGA “with the idea of getting rid of Vincent,” and she said she couldn’t understand why “nobody in a position of authority,” including the governor, a former Dooley player, stood up for her husband.)
The books have been well received, Dooley said, and he’s enjoyed doing a lot of book signings.
Since Dooley, who got his undergraduate degree in business management, earned a masters degree in history and has been known to audit history courses at UGA, I wondered whether he might tackle a straight history book of some sort.
“I’ve had people ask me that, and also am I going to do a gardening book,” he said, referring to his hobby developing his “semi-botanical” garden at his longtime home on Milledge Circle in Athens. Another suggested book, he said, is “one about Georgia’s greatest [football] plays.”
“I wish I could,” Dooley said. “I wish I had the time. I’m as busy or busier as I’ve ever been. I guess by being at one place as long as I have, in order not to be [continually busy] you’d almost have to move away to California or someplace. I get a lot of requests, and I don’t have as many excuses as I used to.”
I asked what a typical week is like for him, and he said there really isn’t one, but he flipped through his appointments calendar for late November and early December. “I spoke to the Tallahassee Quarterback Club. Then I went to Boise, Idaho, to participate in the Humanitarian Awards. Then to New York for the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. Then I did the ‘Allen Hunt Show’ Luncheon. Then I did a book signing. And I had a board meeting. I’m on the board of a bank and on the board of Athens Technical College, where I’ve learned a lot. Then I did another book signing. And did the [UGA football] senior banquet. And next week I’m doing book signings in Tifton and Valdosta.”
Dooley doesn’t play golf and he gave up tennis “five or six years ago when I had a knee replaced,” but, he said, “I’ve got plenty of things to keep me busy. I’m also on the board of the Southeastern Flower Show. I’m still involved in the National Association of Athletic Directors, and the American Football Coaches Association, which I was president of.”
And he does those previews of the Dawgs’ upcoming opponents on the UGA football radio broadcasts, I noted. He chuckled. “I think they were just looking for a way to keep me involved, but I’ve enjoyed doing it. I’m getting to be a living, walking history [of Georgia football].”
Along those lines, I asked Coach Dooley to handicap the upcoming bowl game in Atlanta. “I think it’ll be a good matchup,” he said. “Virginia Tech’s defense is very good. Of course, the ACC is definitely not as strong, particularly this year, so we don’t know [how good].” And the Dawgs wound up the year in a strong way, he noted, “whipping two ranked oponents and strong rivals. It was a good ending after some disappointments this season, but that was mainly the quarterback situation.” On Matthew Stafford, though, Dooley said: “He’s going to be a good one.”
Dooley also takes great pride in the Bulldogs’ MVP award being named after him. “At the senior banquet, I presented the Most Valuable Player award, which is in my name. It was won by Tony Taylor, the linebacker. I expecially was pleased because I coached his dad [Nate], who was on our 1980 team. We called him the ‘Tifton Termite.’”
I asked Coach Dooley whether he gets to talk to the players these days. “Every once in a while they’ll ask me to say something to the team,” he said. “I still go to practice when I can and drop by the dressing room afterward. But I don’t want to get in the way.”
No matter what Adams or anyone else might think, there’s no way Vincent J. Dooley could ever be “in the way” at UGA. Like he said, he’s a “living” history of Georgia football. He should be treasured and appreciated as such.
Whether it’s by putting his name on the field or hyphenating Sanford Stadium or erecting a statue or whatever, it’s high time the University of Georgia honored the man.
Services »
Comments
By Wozzo the Wonder Dog
December 27, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this
I thought this was going to be about Derek Dooley.
Fire Mike Adams Go Dawgs
By Kendall
December 27, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this
Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium. If adams feels slighted by that, he can attach his name to the sewer that runs under the field, its an apt comparison. And yes mr. adams, I am an alumni, 1988 MBA, so my opinion SHOULD matter.
Anyone else feel like adams would be a perfect fit somewhere like tech?
By Cuz
December 27, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this
I have said more about this subject than I care to rehash. Yes it is high time we honoured the man. But I think a hyphen demeans him and Dooley field at Sanford stadium is even lamer. Hey I am a distant cousin of Pat Dye and Pat Dye field at whatever their name stadium, sorry for not remembering the name, is LAME.
Please honour a great man that always treated me like I was special and came into contact with me very little.
By Cuz
December 27, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this
The sewer is named Sanford creek. I would hate to give Adams that great an honour.
I would not urinate on the man if he self-combusted.
By jrmdvm1
December 27, 2006 08:02 PM | Link to this
Bill,
Thanks for a great blog about a great Bulldog.
By Historian
December 27, 2006 08:10 PM | Link to this
Most of today’s fans lived through some if not all of Dooley’ reine as head coach. I hope we can treasure a tenure that will never be repeated. You didn’t have to guess what the dogs were going to do. They would line up, and come after you, and if you weren’t tough, you wouldn’t last on his teams. By today’s standards, the offense wasn’t as dynamic, but many people can remember every play of those big games. Long live Vince.
By toenail
December 27, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this
Looks like Dooley isn’t doing anything different than when he was AD.
By War Eagle
December 27, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this
Coach Dooley was my position coach at Auburn and I had several classes with his wife Barbara. UGA was lucky to get Coach Dooley and Coach Eaves. They served the dawgs with diginity and pride. Would UGA have a coach as CMR, facilities, National exposure and finances today without these individuals? Adams has his moments, but to cut Coach Dooley`s objectives short was a MISTAKE. He is a very intelligent person with BS History and MS also in History.
By GW
December 27, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this
Like him or not, like his football or not, one cannot argue with what Vince Dooley accomplished for UGA. Not to mention his coaching record, as AD he could stretch a dollar a country mile and kept athletics solvent long before big TV money and disco light stadium advertising came along. Sanford Stadium, and the demand to sit in it, is what it is today because of Coach Dooley. As long as 90,000 loyal fans still show up every Fall Saturday Adams and Leebern will never allow him to be honored. It would take a major boycott which will not happen. Billy Payne and Herschel Walker couldn’t make it happen so I don’t know who can. Loran Smith has no power but he could regain a lot of favor by starting a push to honor Coach Dooley, but he won’t. Larry Munson could mention it occasionally on his radio commentaries, but he won’t. Surely Mrs. Dooley never expected Perdue to take a stand on anything. He probably dislikes Dooley too because he wasn’t an All-American or even a first-teamer. Truth be known, most prominent UGA alumni are afraid of Adams. They don’t want him to have their tickets pulled if they speak out. They know he is small enough to do it.
By Cuz
December 27, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this
Well said GW. The world is full of little people trying to be big and is far short of big people who never forgot they were little. Insert current University President and former Athletic Director/Coach for Life.
By SwimDawg68
December 27, 2006 10:25 PM | Link to this
I was a freshman at UGA during Vince’s first season. I was a swimmer and the few times I met Vince as an athlete at Georgia he was always very kind to me. The one thing I will always say about Vince is he has alot of Class. Sorry all you Adams and Evans lovers both of those men have a serious lack of class. I have been in many social situations with both men and neither one can hold a candle to Vince when it comes to class.
I wish I could wave a magic wand that would cause Adams and Evans to just disappear. Notice in the interview how Vince would not be critical of Adams, that is CLASS! Three weeks ago I sent a letter to Adams with a request, still no response. I would receive responses from Fred Davidson and Chuck Knapp within 10 days. We sure could use more people of character like Vince at UGA. We miss him and people like him.
By jacketnation
December 27, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this
I am in the nursery industry. I am doing a trade show at the Classic Center next month. coach Dooley always talks to me, every year. He is very interested in the nursery trade. He knows that I am a huge Tech fan, however he is always a gracious southern gentleman. I bleed GA TECH blue and Gold, however I will always love Vince Dooley. I can’t stand Michael (arrogant @$$whole) Adams
By Gen Neyland
December 27, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this
A man the stature of Vince Dooley that wears a necktie with running/tennis shoes has my respect.
By RODAWG
December 28, 2006 12:07 AM | Link to this
VINCE DOOLEY IS THE EPITOME OF CLASS & A TRUE CHAMPION IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD! WHY WOULD WE, THE PEOPLE OF DAWGNATION, LET A RED FACED EMBARRASSMENT DICTATE THAT VINCE NOT BE HONORED BY UGA.ANYONE BLOCKING THIS TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE [SANFORD-DOOLEY STADIUM]SHOULD BE EXPOSED HAS ANTI-UGA.OUR STATE LEGISLATURE MAYBE OUR BEST SHOT AT THE RESTORATION OF THE VINCE DOOLEY LEGEND AT OUR BELOVED UNIVERSITY.
By Bryan G.
December 28, 2006 12:15 AM | Link to this
Damn Good Dawg.
During the Dooley/Adams fiasco, some people had beer coozies that said “I’d rather have VD than Michael Adams.” I think that pretty well sums it all up.
By Dawgdays
December 28, 2006 12:31 AM | Link to this
This has been beat to death but RODAWG is right. The honor Vince movement has to start somewhere and it’s apparent where the interest is strongest.
A grassroots campaign collecting signatures around the state and country would seem to be the most effective way to bring honoring Vince to the forefront. Present the petition to the University, Governors Office, Legislature, Newspapers, Radio, TV, etc., make things a little hot under the collar for Mr. Adams.
Or continue to do nothing but talk about it on the blogs and watch the awful injustice continue….
By poorboy
December 28, 2006 07:59 AM | Link to this
adams will problably name the stadium leeburn-yoculan stadium because the stadium looks like a county fair.leeburn runs everything and is his antics symbolize the commercialism of college football .keep popping those viagre pills don ……
By Rosita
December 28, 2006 08:02 AM | Link to this
Kendall, a minor correction: That should be “I ARE an alumni.”
By Spike
December 28, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this
Nice article. Every time I met Coach Dooley he was always a gentleman. I say we honor him at UGA by running Adams’ a$$ off and make Vince president.
By T Williams
December 28, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this
Surely Michael Adams is not QUITE as bad as characterized in this blog….but this much is obvious to me….His ego (M.A) is simply too big to coexist with a big time, perennial top ten sports program. He CANNOT stand the fact that Bulldog sports is way bigger than the Pres. of the school. He would be a good Prez for a NAIA school in the NE U.S.
By Steve
December 28, 2006 08:23 AM | Link to this
Maybe if he gets a lot of other interests, he’ll stop trying to use all his energy to embarrass UGA and hang on to the past. He has done little the past few years other than show that his ego is far bigger than his love for the University. Long-time coaches (or, in this case, coach-turned-AD) are, at some point, asked to leave. Whether or not it is a popular decision, the overwhelming majority have a little class and realize that they still need to support the school and not let their ego take over. Dooley decided to spend his life trashing the school. I did not attend any GA school, or even an SEC school, and understand that Adams is far from a prize. Maybe he also needs to go. However, it was easy to sit back with no agenda or loyalty, and see a pathetic display by Dooley. He is like the trailer park guy on “Cops” who says “If I can’t have her, nobody can,” or the union losers who, when faced with layoffs to keep the company alive, try to shut the business down rather than just going out and working for a living.
By Dog Pound
December 28, 2006 08:33 AM | Link to this
I suggest you rename it Bear Bryant field, becuase his body has been moved to the 50 yard line. As to why his body was moved?
His final request was that he be laid to rest in a location as far away from football as possible, thus Sanford Stadium.
By jbgldawg
December 28, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
Adams needs to go, however I wish Dooley would not leave kicking, screaming, and pouting like a little kid. Everyone knows he did great things for Georgia, but to say the program wouldn’t be what it is without him is short-sighted. Georgia had already won three national championships prior to his arrival. Also, LSU, Auburn, Florida, and Tennessee all have huge stadiums and proud programs without having had the same coach for twenty-five years. They simply had several very good ones. There’s no reason to think Georgia couldn’t have had the same success given our resources (talent, money) and interest level. And yes, it would be comparable had Dooley never set foot on campus. To think otherwise, you’ve overdosed on his koolaid.
By Jerry
December 28, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this
Vince Dooley is the definition of class. Great column Bill.
By JR
December 28, 2006 09:25 AM | Link to this
I don’t know why UGA fans are still so enamored of Dooley and hate Adams like the plague. Dooley was a great coach, but face it; UGA was NEVER going to have another championship coach as long as Dooley had anything to do with it. How else can you explain why despite top ranked recruiting classes year after year, UGA never made it to the big game? Dooley wasn’t going to hire a championship caliber coach. I don’t think Richt would have come to UGA unless he knew that Adams wasn’t going to keep Dooley around.
By Dog Pound
December 28, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
Dooley is pure class. Someone who deserves alot of respect. Only an Auburn player/coach could bring your program a national title. I recall when AU was recruiting Dooley for the AU job and how UGA nation was up in arms. Oh, the glory days.
I admired his humility and respect for his opponents, something modern day Dawg fans could take a page from. He took your program to a much higher level, thus I recommend the stadium be named: Dooley/Bryant/Sanford Stadium
By Spartan
December 28, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
The statement that Vice Dooley is the “definition of class” is a joke, based on the last few years of his campaign against the University. In fact, that comes from someone who is blind, deaf and dumb. That is exactly what Dooley has done - fought a war agains the University based on his own ego and inability to step away when asked. It matters not that Adams has his own problems (maybe the same ego issues as Dooley), but that is up to the governing body to decide. If they decided to terminate Adams, how would it look for him to go around and get his supporters (and there are obviously many) and start a war because he was fired? Had he had any sense, Dooley could have been a great asset to the University (directly or indirectly)for years to come — instead he chose to take a low road that very, very few coaches have taken (actually, I can’t think of a single coach in his situation that engaged in such a war, even after being forced out). He has caused factions, and in-fighting, when he could have done something positive. He SHOULD have been honored with the field, building, fieldhouse, or whatever. Now, something less. Let Richt try to continue building the program without Dooley trying to stay in the news — IF Dooley can take it.
By DONK
December 28, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this
Vince’s legacy at UGA is a great one. One that will never be matched by Adams.
By Dirt Man
December 28, 2006 09:38 AM | Link to this
This response is to Kendall, about the first comment in this series. Kendall, you’re just giving Adams the pleasure of a snicker when you call yourself an alumni ~~ son, you’re an alumnus! I totally agree with your content, however. Remember, though, an ALUMNUS.
By Dog Pound
December 28, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this
Nice piece JR, and you sort of hit the nail on the head; however, UGA will never have another national title team, with or without CMR. Those glory days are long gone.
You see, you guys focus too much on recruits (Rivals.com and Scout.com). All I hear is about the Baileys and Staffords of the world, but only 1 title (1980). Nothing but smack, but only losses to UT, Vandy, KY and UF really smeared the 2006 National Title season.
You see other programs such as UF, USC, OSU, and even OU continue to focus on talented assistant coaches vs. top-talented recruits. Any average coach knows the best recruit is the player that is small on the radar screen, but has serious potential.
Until UGA overhauls their recruiting program and guts the current coaching staff, it will be mediocre business as usual. Don’t get me wrong, CMR is a great guy, but he has not intensity. Too laid back and too much WWJD in my book, and not enough profanity (i.e. Les Miles at LSU).
USC hired Mike Garrett as their AD, and he took heat for hiring Pete Carroll. Now Mike is the messiah in Southern Cal football land, and will be for years to come. USC only played an average of 4 seniors this year, and they are going to be loaded next year.
Get teams like USC, LSU, OSU, and other top-ranked teams on your schedule, then you might have some bragging rights, but if you continue to open with Marshall, Appalachian State, Mars Hill and Western Carolina, you have no shot at serious style points.
Until a playoff system arrives, it is all about BCS sex appeal baby!
By jbgldawg
December 28, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this
Dog Pound = retard
By Matt
December 28, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
War Eagle, it’s a B A in History. Thanks for the good comments, though. Most Auburn fans don’t realize that Dooley was a coach there first! And I agree, there needs to be something at Sanford Stadium (and not hyphenated crap they did at the airport in Atlanta). Why not make it Dooley Field and Sanford Stadium?
By PHD Dawg
December 28, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this
DOG POUND IS A TECHIE I bet he is eating Sugar Smacks right now and watching an old “Lost in Space Episode” before heading off to pop a few zits and put on a fresh pair of whitey-tighties. Dooley is a good man. Adams is an idiot. Like it or not UGA will be a great program for years to come. This was an off year and we will finish 9-4 with an 18 year old QB….it must really suck to be a Nerd Closet Techie… Enjoy your sugar smacks
By GREG
December 28, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this
I’M STILL WORKING ON THE BEANS HOKIE BOYS!!!….GO DAWGS!!!…HOKIE SECTION WILL BE A SMELLY MESS BY THE END OF THE GAME!
By Wife/1950 UGA graduate
December 28, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this
I had the opportunity to hear Coach Dooley speak recently at Macon State College. He came across as being an extremely sincere, genuine person - a rarity in today’s world. He answered questions from the participants at the seminar, was personable and best of all, a gentleman. I remember back in 1965 my late husband spent some 2-3 autumn months in Germany on business. Each Monday I’d mail him the local newspaper’s writeup about the previous Saturday’s UGA football game. At that time, I also wrote Coach Dooley a personal letter telling him how my husband was rooting for the Dogs even though long distance, wished him luck, etc. I received back a very warm and nice letter from Coach Dooley - not any form letter. I still have that letter today some 40 years later. The word “class” is epitomized by Mr. Vince Dooley. He did a lot for not only the University but for the state of Georgia during his years at Georgia and I personally appreciate his efforts. But as I said - he was always a gentleman and today’s world what a rarity that is.
By luvmydawgs
December 28, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this
Come on the man deserves something from Adams…naming the field is the least he could do..
FIRE ADAMS!!!
By Brad
December 28, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this
Hey Dog Pound LSU opened with Louisiana-Lafayette OSU opened with Northern Illinois Do not give me that UGA only opens with cup cakes crap
By pvbeachdog
December 28, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this
First of all let me say this, UGA is a better place because of V. Dooley. However, I lost some respect for him during this “Adams situation” (as he put it). Dooley states that he would love to have elaborated, but he refused “in the best interests of the institution.” Give me a break!! If he was so concerned about the best interests of the the institution, he never would have allowed the “Adams situation” to occur and fester. He struck an agreement (verbally and contractually) with Adams in 2001 that extended his contract for 2.5 years. There were no guarantees beyond that point. Just because he decided in 2004 that he was not ready to step down did not mean that Adams was obligated to bow down and offer another contract. Vincent FUELED THE FIRE by not honoring his agreement and walking away peacefully.
IMO, the reason people of power such as the governor “did not stand up for Vincent” was because these are smart, businsss-minded people who recognized that VD agreed in 2001 to step away. Adams was only honoring their agreement.
By Ace
December 28, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this
This article is right on target and naming the stadium after Vince Dooley would be most appropriate!
By Tom
December 28, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this
The sewer under the stadium is actually Tanyard Creek; please honor Vince in some fine way, but leave Sanford Stadium’s name alone. Don’t complicate the stadium’s name with hyphens, and don’t give the grass a name just to get back at Adams. We have had & will have other coaches and presidents that can be honored and or smeared in other appropriate ways. Sanford Stadium always & forever. Thank you
By pvbeachdog
December 28, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this
Dooley picked a fight with the very own University he purports to love. And he LOST.
By George Clements
December 28, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
There are two words to describe why Dooley will never get the recognition some people want: Jan Kemp.
Georgia fans either ignore or fail to realize what many football people outside Georgia know very well, namely that Vince Dooley — gentleman that he is —ran a dirty football program.
By Spike
December 28, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
Well said PHD Dawg!! GATA!
By Dog Pound
December 28, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this
Hey Greg, put your money where your mouth is….Hokies will own you after the Chicken Bowl.
By Dog Pound
December 28, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this
Hey Brad: correct on LSU and OU, however, they moved onto more worthy oppoenents, while UGA was messing around with Western KY, Colorado, Vandy, Kentucky.
Your schedule was weak as hell as it always is, wiht the only tough games being UF, UT and AU, and you lost to 2 out of 3. Such GD denial in Athens, but what else is new.
Now the Hokies are going to beat the pure living hell out of you, and you will have some lame a* excuses on this blog of how this happened, or didn’t happen, or how CMR or Bobo needs to go.
Give me a F break. You guys are lame as hell, and always will be. Instead of stadium and sewer creek names, why not focus on improving your coaching staff, which is totally overrated. Gut it and call it a day.
Maybe UGA should consider moving to Conference USA to position yourself for the BCS. Oh that’s right, Southern Miss might take it to you. Why not have some balls and open with Louisville or LSU? Oh that’s right, UGA has no balls.
By George Clements
December 28, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this
Well, except for Dog Pound, the fairly civil dialogue came to a screeching halt when the name Jan Kemp was mentioned. Interesting, eh?
By YANKEEDAWG
December 28, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this
HOW ABOUT NAMEING THE COURTYARD OUTSIDE THE BOOKSTORE AND THE STUDENT CENTER DOOLEY SQUARE OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT ON GAME DAY PEOPLE CAN SAY I’LL MEET YOU AT DOOLEY’S AND EVERYONE WILL KNOW WHERE THAT IS.
By Spike
December 28, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this
Dog Pound… You Nerds just keep neglecting to remember WE BEAT YOUR SORRY A*******ES!!! And until you beat us you have no right to talk smack to us, no matter what it is about. And don’t talk to us about a weak schedule with you being in that wimpy ACC this year where Wake Forest is your champ and won the title by BEATING YOU! And don’t talk about us losing to Vandy and Kentucky. Yea, we lost to them, but WE BEAT YOU! And no matter what you say that is the bottom line, and you can’t change it.
By 89 Bulldog
December 28, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this
Bill,
Enjoyed the article. Dooley is full of class, and has the benefit of having Barbara, who can say what he really thinks.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Ayatollah 89 Bulldog.
By Ed
December 28, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this
Hey Dog Pound. As Reggie Ball would say, “I have ‘three’ words for you.” Kiss my d** a*!
By Dan
December 28, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this
In reference to Vince Dooley, the man has done a ton for the univeristy, not just for athletics but academics as well. Yeah, UGA won national chamionships before him ( and an SEC in 1959), but the program as a whole was not consistently good. From 1949-1963, UGA only had 5 winning seasons!
Dooley much like Coach Richt is doing now gave that team consistency. He didn’t have the most talented squads, but his teams were gutsy which is how they won. Yeah they might not have been as dominant as say a Notre Dame, Penn State, or Alabama, but they were always competitive with those teams when they played and that comes from good coaching.
However, I do agree with others in that he should have bowed out. I mean really, what more did he have to do. As AD and coach, UGA teams won many National Championships and facilities were improved and built including the Ramsay Center. When you don’t repect the people above you, then it’s time to move on. Dooley didn’t do that, and paid for it. But overall, Dooley is a winner. I just wish he would realize that himself.
By PM
December 28, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this
This is a great article about a truly great man and coach. This man deserved to go out on his own terms and not under duress. Mike Adams is both a liar and a thief. Check the record. He threw a private graduation party for his son using Foundation money. He only returned the money after he was caught. Also it is absurd to say that Adams is well liked by the academic side of the University. He received a 70% vote of no confidence from the University’s largest college (Franklin College). The problem is that Adams is liked by the most powerful man in the State (Don Leebern). Even our Governor will not cross this man. I would suggest a statue to stand along side that of Coach Dooley. This would be a statue of UGA (the Bulldog mascot) relieving himself on the leg of Adams.
By GW
December 28, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this
No doubt the Jan Kemp episode hurt Coach Dooley’s reputation. He knows that better than anyone. That being said the nation is loaded with stadiums named for folks with their own Jan Kemp episodes and with the perception from outsiders that they ran a dirty program. Dooley asking for a contract extension after saying he would retire has absolutely no bearing on his worthiness for recognition. Dooley himself had his say about Adams and really has pretty much let it go, as evidenced by Bill King’s report. He also stood side-by-side with Adams during the Harrick fiasco when Adams was solely responsible for hiring Harrick. Dooley was on his way out then but Adams is the one that sent his wife out into the night to face the basketball team. It may actually keep Coach Dooley’s name around longer if nothing is done to honor him. Long after he and Adams are gone folks will look back and ask this same question. Adams is holding on to the stadium renaming for some big donor anyway unless Evans sells it to a Fortune 500 company first. With Adams’ blessing of course. I wish I knew as much about other schools’ histories as many of the outsiders on this blog say they know about Georgia’s. I really just can’t get interested in Tennessee, Auburn, Tech, LSU, etc. folklore.
By GW
December 28, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this
PM, Do you really suppose that Leebern “likes” Adams? Do you have to like someone to use them and allow them to use you?
By GREG
December 28, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this
HA DOG POUND!!!!!!HOW BOUT THEM DAWGS!!!!!
By G8R H8R
December 28, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this
To the idiot complaining about UGA’s schedule…the Dawgs cannot help that Colorado stunk this year. When they were added to the schedule, they were competing for Big 12 championships. Georgia Tech was one of the best in the ACC this year. UAB had a down year, however, they almost took out the mighty Sooners.
I am all for a Coach that is more interested in WWJD than Hellfire and damnation. I believe that CMR took Les Miles to the woodshed in the 2005 SEC CG. And if LSU is so much greater, then UGA why does it not show on the field. (See 2004 in Athens and 2005 SEC CG)
Dawgs had some growing pains this year with Freshman QB. Just remember what kind of season followed our last four loss season.
As far as playing in the BCS National Championship game, that has more to do with luck and circumstances. Georgia (2002) (13-1) and Auburn (2004) (13-0) were arguably better than or at least accomplished just as much as LSU (2003) (12-1) and Florida (2006) (12-1). However, due to luck and circumstances UGA and Auburn did not get a shot at National Championship game, while LSU and Florida did.
As for Dooley, I think the 40 years that he gave the University speaks for itself. To not honor him properly would be a disgrace to the University.
By anthony
December 28, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this
Bill,
I love the article on Coach Dooley. I am currently a student at UGA and the atmosphere is not the same without coach D. Sure Mike Richts has done a good job but, he will never last as long as Coach D. I can not understand why the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia hasn’t done anything to honor a man that has brought so much to the University System. Please do expect “Good Ole Boy” Sonny to do anything because he is to busy trying to keep his pockets fat.
By G8R H8R
December 28, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
To Tech fans who must keep reminding us that UGA lost to Vandy and Kentucky…. UGA did not lose to Tech and has not for six years!!
Tech, however, lost to Wake Forest, which in my book is normally lower than Vandy and Kentucky. And to make it even worse, all Tech had to do to be ACC champions was beat Wake Forest and they could not do it. Then again, I guess that all Wake Forest had to do was beat Georgia Tech to win the ACC title!!
Tech, do you really think you will see another season anytime soon that Miami, Florida State and Virginia Tech step out of the way and let the lightweights play for the ACC title?
By CoastDog
December 28, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this
The sleaze twins-Adams/Harrick. One down, one to go.
By jbgldawg
December 28, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this
anthony: It’s MARK Richt, you Georgia “fan.” To everybody else: The question, “what have we done to honor Dooley?” is a ridiculous one. How about a free meal ticket for life in Athens? My family has lived in Athens since before the Dooleys came to town, and we know that neither him nor Barbara has spent a dime of their own money in over 40 years. Now to those of you who will respond with “every coach and his family are like that,” save it. The Richts aren’t like that. A close friend of mine works at Heery’s closet and exclaimed how much she liked Kathryn Rict because she actually pays for her clothes, as opposed to Barbara, who says simply “charge it to the Athletic Association.” Not only is that insanely cheap, it’s illegal. But that’s how the Dooleys operate in Athens. They think they deserve everything for free.
By 74 DAWG
December 28, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this
it’s a disgrace, pure and simple.I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY PERDUE(WHO I VOTED FOR TWICE), AND WROTE ON THIS SUBJECT,WON’T GET OFF HIS FAT PIMPLY A** AND PULL SOME STRINGS TO GET RID OF ADAMS. As long as Adams is there he will maliciously prevent anything to honor Coach Dooley.
By War Eagle
December 28, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this
jbgldawg,most schools have impact coaches who come in restart a program or turns negative situations around into respectable and in football terms, perpetual WINNERS.The examples you mention had these type of coaches to come through the systems. For example Coach Neyland(NC) and Bill Battle and now Coach Fulmer(NC), LSU had Paul Dietzel(NC) and Johnny McClendon and Nick Saban(NC), Auburn Coach Jordan(NC), Pat Dye and Tommy Tuberville. UGA had Wally Butts??, Harry Mehre and Vince Dooley(NC) and Coach Richt.There were coaches far and few between, these coaches raised the bar higher than others.(NC=National Championships). In all due respect, You are completely incorrect with your comment, the same success would be at UGA now without Coach Dooley, I dont drink koolaid, but success at Sanford Field would be good, but not like today.The hiring of CMR is another example of Coach Dooley bring the program forward>> The Hokies are tough, but dawgs play like they did against Auburn, people will be leaving for Cheeters at the half.
By historian
December 28, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this
Is this the same Vince Dooley who bent the university and fans over on the eve of the National Championship game with talk of becoming Auburn’s head coach unless they made him AD??
Is this the same Vince Dooley who didn’t want Richt hired??
Yeah let’s name the stadium and creek after him…
By jbgldawg
December 28, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this
War Eagle: It’s Sanford STADIUM, but I guess you’re right, you are an authority on our football history when you can’t even get the stadium name right. Also, Dooley didn’t want to fire Donnan. He’s on record as “believing Jim deserves another year.” Adams hired Richt, not Dooley. Get over yourself.
By jbgldawg
December 28, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this
War Eagle: Oh yeah, Wally Butts won two national championships, in 1942, and 1946. Yet, somehow I think you are unaware of that.
By War Eagle
December 28, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this
jbgldawg, I don`t pretend to be a historian on UGA athletics, I do make mistakes at times with words. Coach Dooley was a success for UGA programs, call him cheap, illegal, freebies, they were instructmental in making UGA what it is today.
By Michael Florence
December 28, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
I was a football manager at UGA from 1981 to 1985. Coach Dooley was a man to be respected and slightly feared. If you were going anything wrong on the practice field suddenly you would feel this icy presence on your neck and you knew he was looking at you. He rarely yelled, but that stare. The only time I can remember him yelling and getting mad was the Clemson game in 1981 or 1982. The game where Kevin Butler won the game with his 60 yard field goal. At halftime we were down 20 to 3 and at least one chair was thrown in the locker room.
Coach Dooley took a regional program and made it a National Power. He has always been a man of great integrity. The least the University should do for him now is to make Sanford Stadium just be known as Dooley Field. Do this now and not wait until after the man is gone. Let him enjoy the moment with his family and 90,000 of his fans. Dooley’s Dawgs always had a nice ring to it. Go Dawgs
By jbgldawg
December 28, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this
Michael Florence: It was the ‘84 Clemson game. You’re only off a couple years.
By jbgldawg
December 28, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this
War Eagle: My point is that Dooley has NOT gotten a raw deal in Athens. He and his family have profited BIG TIME here. He’s acting as if he’s been put out to pasture, when the reality of it is that he lost in his p** match with Leebern, pure and simple. Get over it. If he wants to wage a war over not getting his name on a concrete structure, then he is a self-centered, egotistical BABY, pure and simple.
By LADawg
December 28, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this
I have not read all the comments, but honoring Coach Dooley is a no-brainer. The stadium nor the field will be named for him on Adams’ watch. How about the Dooley Training Complex and Indoor Practice Facility. We need it to keep up with Florida and Tennessee. I would love to be there to see Coach Dooley cut the ribbon with Adams nowhere in sight. What could Adams do if the contributions came from donors that earmarked the funds for this purpose? What needs to be done to make this happen? Today, the Dooley Training Complex; tommorrow, who knows?
By Vince baby
December 28, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this
Perhaps Vince would be recognized by the UGAG community if he would simply quit crying (or have his wife cry for him in the front of his books). Had he gone out with class, the accolades would have come.
By 78dawg
December 28, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this
Adams: The man who forced out Dooley & insisted on bringing Harrick in. That’s all I need to know about his integrity, knowledge & ability to manage!
By jbgldawg
December 28, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this
The people who want to harp on Harrick-gate want to forget that Adams fired Donnan and brought on Richt. People have pretty selective memories. I hate to break all you Dooleyites hearts, but the Dooley are not the saints you’re making them out to be. And yes, I know them. And no, you probably don’t if you’re cannonizing them.
By historian
December 28, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this
JBGLDAWG: Dooley wanted to keep Donnan for good reason. After Georgia fell severly because of probabtion, Donnan was quickly building the program back. As good as Richt is, he gained a solid team when he got here. Donnan built that team, and should have gotten two more years to reap the crop. Adams wanted every coach/AD to be his own, and luckily picked Richt. However, he brought in a crook and cheat, and then blamed Dooley. He lied on his job options, and the scrutiny Notre Dame used on O’Leary, and Adams should have been fired.
By NumbaOneFan
December 28, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this
Michael Adams is a low life-four Flushing-Self Serving-Piece of Hog Dung….Totaly classles and should be run out of town. I have never understood how the Bulldog Nation ever could let that happen to Vince Dooley, who in my opinion has done nothing but good for this university and represented himself and the university impecably. Michael Adams in my opinio you are the epitomy of a classles tyrant and traitor. I hope I can be around on the day he loses his job. Maybe there is an opening at Grambling or Bethune Cookman he can grab.
By jdawg
December 28, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this
JBGL: You moron. Adams wanted Chan Gailey. The Donnan firing could have been disastrous but we were very fortunate to get MR.
By TechFan
December 28, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this
There is no way Georgia Tech would tolerate a scumbag like Mike Adams
By historian
December 28, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this
Tech Fan: Why are you talking about Michael Adams. Do you even know who your President/Chancellor is? You had David Braine, who made the football and basketball mostly mediocre. Don’t talk about the championship season in baketball, because the rest are average or below average in both football and basketball.
By pvbeachdog
December 28, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this
Please understand this. Adams did NOT force Dooley out. Quite the opposite. He granted Dooley an extension in 2001. When this extension ended, he refused Dooley’s request for another extension. Not quite the same as FORCING someone out. Dooley knew the consequences of his actions. He knew his actions were dividing the Dawg Nation, but he could care less. He fought the institution and the institution won, thank God.
By War Eagle
December 28, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this
jbgldawg, what did you think of Coach Dooley when the last second tick off in the Sugar Bowl and UGA was National Champions> the man is a self-centered maniac? BS, Perks go with all high profile jobs, leeburn is a womanizer who left a nice wife and family for a Gym hoe.Don was born with a silver spoon and will kiss a @ss or two if you don`t watch it. Why am I into this? I know what Coach Dooley is and means to UGA, take a alumni referendum on what direction his legendency should advance.
By Cuz
December 29, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this
Ya’ll quit picking on Wareagle. Even though he is an Auburn grad, he has forgotten more of Georgia football than most of you know. He was on the Auburn team when Coach Dooley was an Auburn coach. And War, I have the same opinion of Leeburn, uses his money to buy influnce. In the same league as the anti-saint Adams.
By jbgldawg
December 29, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this
War Eagle: legendency? What are you talking about? I can tell you went to All-barn.
By Dog Balls
December 29, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this
Hey G8R H8R: Nice clip on the trivial UGA and LSU stats again, but LSU has a title much fresher and recent than that 1980 title, and only title hanging on your wall.
I just love it when all the records and stats start flying. Bottom line: UGA cannot play past the stats and letdowns and truely ever be a standalone National Champion.
This will never happen again. Just shoot for those Chicken Bowls.
By jbgldawg
December 29, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this
Dog Balls: Get back to your abbacus you loser Techie. Georgia has five national titles: 1927, 1942, 1946, 1968, and 1980.
By War Eagle
December 29, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this
jbgldawg, All Barn >is that a new cereal by Kellogg? Happy New year, Hey cuz, have a happy New Year down in Augusta and good luck with the Hokies. I had a teammate who coached at Evans High School for years..Coley Cassidy, do you know him, he is a good guy. I hope your cousin Pat Dye is in good health.
By Dog Balls
December 29, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
Hey jbgdawg: here we go again. Mythical National Titles. Give me a F break!! LOL!!! 1980 (17-10 over ND) was it pal, and not even close on the remaining years.
You just galvanized the fact that every UGA fan or graduate is a dumbass with such quotes, and UGA fans rank as the most obnoxious/non-intelligent football fans that exist.
No checking of facts, just throw something out there and see if it sticks. Love it!!
Just returned my lunch and UGA is already down 7-0 and the game has not even started.
Go Hokes!
By Spike
December 29, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
Hey Dog Balls… Here is a stat for you. You geeks have lost SIX YEARS IN A ROW!!! And you still have Chan Gailey as your coach. Calculate that, poindexter.
By jbgldawg
December 29, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this
We have every bit (or more) a right to those national titles than TEch does for ANY of theirs. One poll ranked Tech #1 in 1990, just like one (or more) polls ranked Georgia #1 in ‘27, ‘42,’46 and ‘68. Admit it, you hate your life, right?
By Cottoneye Joe
December 29, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this
I picked VT to beat UGa in office pool.
Translation—UGa wins
I picked Tech to lose in same pool.
Translation—Tech loses
By Buck Cochran in the NW
December 29, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this
Time out. I need some edfication here on this Richt thing. It was Dooley who talked to B. Bowden ad asked him if Richt was “tough enough” for the job, not Adams. That I know so if Adams hired MR, then Dooley was just making phone calls for Adams. Is that what you educators are saying? Kinda hard for us North West Dawgs to keep up with what you sophisticated( can’t spell) folks down there are saying. That seems like a long time ago and I don’t recall all those thing but I do know that about 26.5 hrs. from now we have us a football game to play. “My Boy” and company are gonna win 31-17. Now if I can just remember that Sunday.
By War Eagle
December 29, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this
Three things for sure on this brisk December evening>>Sadamm days are over, Buck will dream about MS tonight and CSS kicked $ss in the Liberty Bowl.SEC 2-1 bowl games. Bammer sucking and looking!!ONLY LOSS
By War Eagle
December 30, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this
Buck, Coach Dooley was the head man in the hiring of CMR, Adams might have been in the room when finalized or made a few calls, but CVD was the responsible player.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
December 30, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this
War Eagle, I knew that so I was just being a little spoofish what the post that said that Adams. Yep, I thought about Matthew last night because he’s the one to make the train go. I’m having a little pre-game fun with brother in Mich. trying to scheme our “O” for tonight. Make for a great head game before K.O. and then a game plan of your own to match what Bobo and Stafford do. BTW, I mention Bobo and Stafford together because Bobo has said that his job is to get Stafford ready to play so you know those two get together and scheme.
By a frustrated DAWG
December 30, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this
WELL WELL WELL, HERE WE GO AGAIN IN ANOTHER LACLUSTER PERFORMANCE IN OUR BOWL GAME. OUR GUYS JUST STAND AROUND AND DONT HAVE THE FIGHT TO BLOCK TACKLE OR CATCH . WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH OUR PROGAM DOWN THERE? 21 -3 AT THE HALF PATHETIC!!!! OUR BASKETBALL TEAM GOY OUT HUSTLED AT CLEMSON TOO I SAY GET A NEW ATHELECTIC DIRECTOR ,FIRE MICHAEL ADAMS AND DENNIS FELTON and remind cmr how much we pay him!!!!!!
By Buck Cochran in the NW
December 30, 2006 11:40 PM | Link to this
After the onside kick, Bobo decided to be come his own “OC”, opened up the play book, had Stafford start throwing North/ South making compltions by now the “D” was playing lights out and the Dawg came from behind to win. I thought, as the announcers said, that the coaches talked with Matthew and he was lights out as a QB in the 2nd half. All in all a good finish for the Dawgs!!!!
By Fudge
December 31, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this
A-men and A-men!! Coach needs to be honored NOW. Who cares what Adams wants or says-he is not a DAWG MAN.
By hop
January 5, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
i supported and voted for sonny purdue simply because mark taylor was a joke,
for the life of me, i do not know why sonny did not stand up to adams or maybe i do after all.
do you think it was because of the support of one don leeburn who give a ton of money to sonny’s campaign.
mr. leeburn happens to be HUGE SUPPORTER OF MICHAEL ADAMS.
SONNEY stuck his head in the sand on this one. adams is a joke who does not have the support of the georgia people except for a few heavy rollers like leeburn and sonny.