Eric Dooley Named Head Coach at Southern University

Southern University officially announced Eric Dooley as its new head football coach.

Kyle T. Mosley | Dec 6, 2021

Southern University officially announced Eric Dooley as its new head football coach. Dooley has agreed to become the 20th head coach in the institution's history.

Coach Dooley will inherit an underperforming football team at Southern University (4-7, 3-5 SWAC). Under interim head coach Jason Rollins, the Jaguars finished third in the SWAC West Division and lost to Grambling in the 48th Annual Bayou Classic 29-26.

Dooley wrapped up his third season as head coach of the Prairie View A&M program. He led the Panthers to an overall record of 7-5, 6-2 in the SWAC, and earned the SWAC West Division title.

On Dec. 4, Prairie lost to Jackson State (11-1, 9-0 SWAC) in the 2021 SWAC Championship game by a final score of 27-10.

Prairie View A&M head coach Eric Dooley, left, and JSU head coach Deion Sanders, right, meet in the middle after JSU Tigers' win over Prairie View 27-10 to take the SWAC Championship at Veteran's Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. Tcl Swac; Credit:© Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

According to the Prairie View Athletics website, Dooley was previously at Grambling State University as the Tigers' offensive coordinator (2014-17), including one year as quarterbacks coach (2014) and two years as receivers coach (2016-17).

"Dooley helped the Tigers to three consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference Western Division titles (2015-17), two SWAC Championships (2016-17), and an HBCU National Championship (2016). While at GSU, his offenses averaged at least 31 points per game in all four seasons, and ranked first or second in the SWAC in scoring offense each of the last three seasons. In 2016, he was named American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Assistant Coach of the Year."

Eric Dooley's last press conference as PV head coach

Dooley takes on the challenge to fill the leadership void at Southern after Dawson Odums left the program for Norfolk State University. Odums was the Jaguars' head coach from 2013 to 2020.

No official comments from Prairie View A&M on Coach Dooley's departure.

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Published Dec 6, 2021

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: