Though he’s now stepping into politics, Derek Dooley’s wife, Dr. Allison Jeffers Dooley, remains a vital yet low‑key partner in his journey from football coaching to running for the U.S. Senate.
Derek Vincent Dooley (born June 10, 1968) is a former American football coach and attorney, best known for head coaching stints at Louisiana Tech (2007–2009) and the University of Tennessee (2010–2012).
In early August 2025, Dooley officially launched his Republican campaign for the U.S. Senate in Georgia, challenging incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff in the 2026 midterm race.
While Derek announced his Republican Senate bid for Georgia’s 2026 race this week, Allison quietly continues as his emotional anchor and family advocate behind the scenes
A Lifetime of Support: Allison Jeffers Dooley by Derek’s Side For Over 29 Years!
Dr. Allison Jeffers Dooley is the wife of former football coach and current Senate candidate Derek Dooley.
The couple met in the early 1990s and were married in 1996, beginning a life grounded in faith, service, and mutual respect.
Allison is a highly accomplished OB/GYN physician, known not only for her medical expertise but also for her dedication to family and community.
She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, where Derek also played football.
Later, she pursued medical training that led to a successful career in women’s health.
Together, they have raised three children, John Taylor, Peyton, and Julianna, balancing demanding careers with a strong, close-knit family life.
Their eldest son, John Taylor Dooley, is currently a freshman wide receiver for the University of Georgia football team, carrying on the family’s deep athletic tradition.
When their middle son, Peyton, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2014, Allison became the emotional backbone of the family.
She managed both motherhood and medical advocacy while remaining largely outside the public spotlight.
In recent days, as Derek Dooley enters the political arena with his 2026 U.S. Senate run in Georgia, Allison continues to support him.
While she avoids media attention, her presence is deeply felt, organizing behind-the-scenes logistics, managing family life, and providing the steady encouragement Derek often credits as essential.
Friends and colleagues close to the family describe her as his rock and someone who brings calm to the chaos of campaigning.
Allison’s support has never wavered, whether during Derek’s coaching years or now on the campaign trail.
Though she may stay behind the scenes, her influence remains front and center in his life and mission.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Derek Dooley earned his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1994 and briefly practiced law before transitioning full-time into coaching.
- He is the only head coach in Tennessee Volunteers history to have also served as the school’s athletic director.
- Before coaching, he played wide receiver at the University of Virginia, where he earned four varsity letters and was named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll.
- He once served as the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys wide receivers coach under head coach Jason Garrett from 2013 to 2017.
