Former UNC Head Coach Bill Dooley Passes Away

Former UNC football coach Bill Dooley passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 82.

UNC officials confirmed the news on Tuesday after WRAL was first to report.

Dooley’s family released a statement after his passing:

“Coach Bill Dooley passed away this morning. He will be missed by his family and friends and will be remembered by all of us whose lives he has touched so deeply.”

Dooley led the Tar Heel football program from 1967-1977, the longest tenure of any head football coach in UNC history.

Don McCauley was the ACC Player of the Year twice under Bill Dooley. McCauley spoke with WCHL’s Blake Hodge about his former coach.

 

UNC went 69-53-2 with Dooley as the head coach, setting the school record at the time for career wins.

Current UNC head football coach Larry Fedora released the following statement through UNC:

“Coach Dooley was a great coach and an even better man who made a lasting impact on this university and on college football as a whole. He touched the lives of the young men who played for him in a profound and special way. He proved that Carolina was a program that could produce a winning tradition and his legacy is something we strive to uphold each and every day. Our thoughts are with Marie and the entire Dooley family in this very difficult

Lee Pace has covered UNC football for many years. Pace spoke with WCHL’s Blake Hodge about the former UNC coach.

 

Dooley is the only UNC football coach to win multiple Atlantic Coast Conference Championships with titles in 1971, 1972 and 1977. The 1972 Tar Heels set a school record for wins after an 11-1 season; that 11-win record was matched by the 2015 team.

UNC senior associate athletic director Steve Kirschner shared his memories of Dooley with Aaron Keck on WCHL.

 

UNC went to six bowl games under Dooley – the Peach Bowl in 1970 and 1976, Gator Bowl in 1971, Sun Bowl in 1972 and 1974 and the 1977 Liberty Bowl.

UNC finished in the Associated Press top 20 in 1972 and 1977 under Dooley.

WCHL’s Art Chansky discussed Dooley’s legacy with Aaron Keck on WCHL.

 

Dooley went onto become head coach and athletics director of Virginia Tech in 1978 and coached in Blacksburg until 1986. Dooley then coached Wake Forest from 1987 through 1992.

John Bunting coached UNC football from 2001 – 2006. He released the following statement on Dooley’s passing:

“Coach Dooley helped change the course of college football. He reversed the trend at UNC where he built a winner. The ACC, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest all benefitted from his great leadership. But most importantly, he mentored character development to thousands of young men.”

Longtime voice of the Tar Heels Woody Durham released a statement on Tuesday:

“Along with Coach Smith and Athletic Director Homer Rice, Coach Bill Dooley was instrumental in bringing me home to Carolina in 1971 to broadcast the games. He was an outstanding football coach at UNC and helped the Tar Heels to great success in the 1970s. I will miss his everlasting friendship and continued support of football and amateur sports in our state.”

Former UNC head coach Mack Brown issued the following statement:

“If the mark of a coach is to make a difference at his school and in the lives of his players, then Bill Dooley touched us all. He put North Carolina football back on the map. He won a lot of games and ACC championships and led the Tar Heels into post season bowl games. He understood kids, and valued the game. He knew the fine line between a ‘come here’ hug and a ‘sic ’em’ attitude. He never hesitated to share his knowledge and insight with those of us who followed. Most of all, he was my good friend, and I will miss him a lot.”

1969 and 1970 ACC Player of the Year Don McCauley:

“I was recruited by Coach Bill Dooley out of Garden City High School in New York. The main reason I chose UNC was my belief in Coach Dooley and the fact that he and his staff had dedicated themselves to putting UNC on the football map. Coach Dooley brought the SEC mentality to the ACC.

I credit Coach Dooley with teaching us that the harder you work, the harder it is to surrender; that winning is an attitude; and the invaluable lesson of discipline, both on and off the field.

These lessons helped me survive 11 years in the NFL. I thank Coach Dooley for giving my incredible teammates and me the opportunity to succeed. He certainly had a great impact on all of our lives.”

ACC Commissioner and UNC quarterback under Bill Dooley John Swofford:

“Bill Dooley had a profound impact on so many of us who played for him.  He was, pure and simple, a football coach in the truest sense.  He leaves a lasting legacy on the players he coached, the schools he represented, the Atlantic Coast Conference and the sport of college football.  I was fortunate to have him as a part of my life for over four decades – as a coach,  colleague and friend.  Our thoughts and prayers will remain with Marie and the entire Dooley family.”