ATHENS, GA (October 21, 2025) — In the rolling hills of Northeast Georgia, where Saturday afternoons are treated with religious fervor and the “G” on the helmet commands instant respect, one name has always stood above the rest. Now, that name and the man behind it will be immortalized in a way befitting his colossal impact on the sport.

In a landmark announcement made today, University of Georgia Athletic Director Josh Brooks confirmed the approval of a $7.6 million capital project to erect a monumental bronze statue of legendary former head coach and athletic director Vince Dooley. The tribute will be situated prominently outside Sanford Stadium, serving as a permanent guardian over the field that already bears his name.

The announcement has been met with an outpouring of emotion from alumni, boosters, and a fanbase that views Dooley not just as a coach, but as the patriarch of Georgia athletics.

A Vision Cast in Bronze

The project, which represents one of the most significant artistic commissions in the history of the university’s athletic department, aims to capture more than just a likeness. It aims to capture a spirit.

“The idea for a Vince Dooley statue has long been discussed among the Georgia faithful,” Josh Brooks stated during the press conference. “But we didn’t want to just put up a statue. We wanted to create a landmark. Few figures in the history of college football command the same level of respect, admiration, and affection as Coach Dooley. He led this program for a quarter-century, but his impact extends far beyond wins and championships.”

According to the initial plans released by the Athletic Association, the statue will be designed by a team of renowned sculptors and landscape architects. It will feature Dooley in his “iconic sideline stance”—arms likely crossed or hands on hips, gazing out with the calm, composed, and calculating demeanor that earned him the reputation of a battlefield general.

The $7.6 million budget suggests a project of immense scale. It is expected to include not only the larger-than-life bronze figure but also an surrounding plaza, educational plaques detailing his career achievements, and landscaping that integrates the monument into the historic architecture of the Sanford Stadium campus.

The Architect of a Dynasty

For the students of today, who have grown up watching the modern dominance of the Bulldogs, the statue will serve as a history lesson on who laid the foundation.

Vince Dooley took over as head coach in 1964 at the young age of 31. Over the next 25 years, he transformed Georgia from a regional competitor into a national powerhouse. He amassed 201 victories, six Southeastern Conference championships, and, most famously, the 1980 National Championship—a season that remains the gold standard of perfection in Athens lore.

“He embodied what it means to be a Georgia Bulldog,” Brooks added. “Excellence, humility, and leadership. This statue will serve as a reminder of his timeless influence.”

Dooley’s legacy, however, was not limited to the sidelines. After putting down the headset, he served as the university’s Athletic Director for another 16 years, overseeing a golden era of Olympic sports success and facility expansion in Athens. He was a scholar, a gardener, a historian, and a mentor to thousands of young men.

A Gathering Place for the Nation

The chosen location for the statue is strategic and symbolic. It will stand near the main entrance of the stadium, ensuring that it becomes a central gathering point for the 93,000 fans who descend upon Athens on game days.

Project organizers envision the site becoming a pilgrimage destination similar to the statues of Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa or Bobby Bowden in Tallahassee. It will be a place where parents explain the history of the “Junkyard Dawgs” to their children, and where the “Glory, Glory” chant finds a physical anchor.

Community Reaction

The reaction in Athens has been swift and celebratory. Social media channels lit up with photos of Dooley from the 1980s, with fans sharing memories of his grace and approachability.

“It’s about time,” said one prominent booster on X (formerly Twitter). “Coach Dooley is Georgia football. You can’t tell the story of the SEC without him. This $7.6 million isn’t a cost; it’s an investment in our heritage.”

Former players have also weighed in, describing the tribute as a necessary honor for a man who shaped their lives. Many recall Dooley not for his halftime speeches, but for his insistence on academic integrity and character development.

Looking to the Future

While the timeline for the unveiling has not yet been finalized, construction on the site preparation is expected to begin in the coming months. The project is being funded through a combination of private donations and athletic department reserves, reflecting the broad support for honoring Dooley’s memory.

As the Georgia Bulldogs continue to chase titles in the modern era, they do so on the ground that Vince Dooley plowed. When the project is complete, the old coach will once again be there on Saturday, cast in bronze, watching over the hedges and the team he loved, forever young and forever victorious.

For Josh Brooks and the University of Georgia, this is more than a statue. It is a declaration that while players graduate and seasons change, legends never truly leave the field.