On This Day: Georgia’s Vince Dooley turns down Oklahoma job

Fifty-two years ago, former Georgia coach Vince Dooley turned down the Oklahoma head coaching job on Dec. 18, 1965.

In a story from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reporter Bill Clark reported fans screamed and the chapel bell rang upon the hearing of the news that Dooley would stay at Georgia after two seasons.

At his press conference after the news broke, Dooley told reporters, “I’m here for as long as Georgia will have me,” Clark wrote.

Dooley coached at Georgia from 1964 until 1988 when he retired from coaching.

In his 24 seasons as head football coach, the Bulldogs won a National Championship in 1980, six SEC titles and had a 201-77-10 overall record.

The 52nd anniversary of Dooley’s decision comes as Georgia and Oklahoma prepare to face off on Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinal.