Honoring Vince Dooley: Kemp Orders Flags To Half-Staff

ATHENS, GA — Gov. Brian Kemp has ordered flags to half-staff on all state buildings Saturday in honor of the late college football coach Vince Dooley.

In an executive order Tuesday, Kemp said Dooley died on Oct. 28 and he called the coach "iconic." Dooley was 90-years-old.

According to ESPN, Dooley was with the University of Georgia for 41 years as head football coach and athletic director. He retired June 30, 2004.

The outlet reported Dooley coached the Georgia Bulldogs to six Southeastern Conference titles, the 1980 national championship and 20 bowl games in his 25 seasons with UGA.

Kemp said Dooley is "the winningest football coach in the history of the University of Georgia."

After learning the news of Dooley's passing, Bulldogs Coach Kirby Smart said in a tweet Dooley "was one of a kind with an unmatched love for UGA! He and Barbara (Dooley's wife) embraced my family from day one. He will be missed in our community, university and in college athletics."

Dooley is a member of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame, according to Kemp's order.

He received the Paul "Bear" Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. He has served as state chairman for the Georgia Easter Seals Society and volunteered for several charities such as The Heart Fund and Boy Scouts of America, Kemp's order said.

Dooley was named a Georgia Trustee in observance of his community work and accomplishments, Kemp's order said.