Bama coach Nick Saban: Vince Dooley Was “One of My Favorite People in the World”
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ATHENS - Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban called former Georgia Bulldogs coach Vince Dooley “one of my favorite people in the world” after hearing of Dooley’s passing on Friday.
Saban and the Tide are off this week before a huge game with LSU next Saturday. Saban and Dooley are two of only a handful of coaches in SEC history to have 200 wins and a national title.
UGA announced the news of Dooley’s passing Friday evening.
“Vince Dooley was one of my favorite people in the world and a wonderful friend to the entire Saban family,” Saban said in a statement.
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Saban has won seven national titles in his coaching career - including six at Alabama. Saban has twice faced the Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. In the 2018 game, Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa threw the game-winning pass in overtime to give Saban his sixth national title.
Kirby Smart’s 2021 Bulldogs denied Saban’s eighth crown last season when the Bulldogs beat No. 1 Alabama 33-18 in Indianapolis.
Saban: Dooley had tremendous integrity and class
“Vince represented the University of Georgia and all of college football with tremendous integrity and class as both a coach and athletics director,” Saban continued. “No place was that more evident than his impact on the young men he led over a lifetime as a coach. Terry and I are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Barbara and their entire family. He will be missed by many.”
Legendary former University of Georgia football coach and director of athletics Vince Dooley died peacefully at his home in the presence of his wife and their four children Friday afternoon at the age of 90.
A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, as well as the Georgia and Alabama Sports Halls of Fame, Dooley is Georgia’s winningest football coach with 201 victories, six SEC titles and the 1980 national championship in his 25 years leading the Bulldogs (1964-88). He was also the recipient of numerous awards for his service as director of athletics over a 25 year tenure (1979-2004).
Archie Manning Calls Dooley a “True Great
"There have been few, if any, like Vince Dooley," said National Football Foundation Chairman and former Ole Miss All-American QB Archie Manning. "He's one of the true greats of college athletics who participated at the highest levels as a player, coach, and administrator. His countless contributions helped pave the way for the great sport we all enjoy today, and his legacy will be with us for generations. Our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife Barbara, their entire family and the many student-athletes and coaches who he impacted as one of the true leaders in college athletics."
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