Georgia Senate candidate Derek Dooley says trans athlete participation undermines gains in women’s sports

The former coach and Senate candidate said it is "not fair" for biological males to compete in women’s sports.

Later this month, Georgia voters will decide which Republican and Independent candidates advance to a June runoff or the general election to face incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., in the high stakes 2026 midterms.

Former Tennessee head coach and NFL assistant Derek Dooley is among the Republican candidates in the race. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, he explained why he believes the timing is right to shift his focus from the gridiron to the political arena.

"I've (had) a 28-year career coaching football and just loved the impact you made on young people every day from all walks of life. And I was all in, never looked up for air and thought I was going to do that my whole career," Dooley said. "But two things really happened... it started really after COVID and what happened under the last administration. I started seeing things in our country that I thought i'd never see in our lifetime and it jarred me a little bit. It made me wanted to get involved."

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Other Republicans in the race include Rep. Mike Collins and Rep. Buddy Carter, both of Georgia.

University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley, Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Ga., are aiming to take on Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., in November's midterm elections. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/AP Photo)

Dooley was born in Athens, Georgia, close to the University of Georgia's campus. After graduating from law school at Georgia, he kicked off his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Bulldogs football team.

When asked about the ongoing debate over transgender athletes'