Eric Dooley returns to Grambling State coaching staff
Senior standout Isaiah Crawford (22) was named Conference USA Player of the Week after he led Tech to two victories out west. Photo courtesy of Louisiana Tech
Grambling State head football coach Mickey Joseph has announced the addition of Eric Dooley to his staff as Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. Dooley, a former Grambling State football player under legendary head coach Eddie Robinson, returns to GSU after serving as head football coach at Southern University.
Prior to his stint at SU, Dooley served as head coach at Prairie View A&M. At PVAMU he guided the Panthers to the 2021 SWAC Championship game after winning the 2021 SWAC Western Division Championship, finishing with an 7-5 (6-2 SWAC) record.
During that season, four Panthers earned all- conference honors. Under Coach Dooley Prairie View finished third in both team total offense and defensive categories in 2021.
He was named the 2021 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region 3 Co-Coach of the Year. Dooley and the Panthers concluded the Spring 2021 campaign with a 2-1 record, with a pair of conference wins. He guided one of the nation’s most explosive and productive offenses in the country in 2019. The Panthers ranked No. 4 nationally in total offense while garnering top 25 rankings in passing offense, rushing offense, scoring offense, passing efficiency, passing defensive efficiency and sacks allowed.
PVAMU led the SWAC in total offense and ranked second – 35th nationally – in total defense. Seven players earned all-conference honors during that season. In his first season at PVAMU, the Panthers became the first team in program history to have three 60-point scoring games in one season. PVAMU ended the season with back-to-back 60-point games against Alabama St. (66-13) and Texas Southern (60-14) while recording the largest margin of victory over the Tigers in program history.
PVAMU set a school record with 815 yards total offense in a win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 22, 2018, tallying a total of nine touchdowns. Prior to PVAMU Coach Dooley spent four seasons at Grambling State University as 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, 2016 and 2017, two SWAC Championships 2016 and 2017, and an HBCU National Championship in 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. Under Dooley’s instruction and guidance in 2015, Grambling State ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (41.3 points per game), scored 65 touchdowns, and averaged 470 yards per game. The Tigers produced the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year during 2015-17. A pair of players during Dooley’s tenure made NFL rosters in 2016 free agent WR Chester Rogers – Indianapolis Colts and 2017 third-round draft pick Chad Williams – Arizona Cardinals.
In three seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Arkansas-Pine Bluff 2011-13, the Golden Lions offense improved each year under his direction. In 2011, QB Ben Anderson earned SWAC Freshman of the Year accolades while ranking second in the league in passing offense. I n 2012, UAPB set a school record for wins (10) and won its first outright SWAC Championship since 1966 and were crowned HBCU National Champions. During Dooley’s tenure, tackle Terron Armstead became a third-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Those seven seasons as offensive coordinator was preceded by 14 years as an assistant coach at Southern University 1997-2010. During his time with the Jaguars, he helped guide SU to five SWAC Championships 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003 and two HBCU National Championships 1997 and 2003.
Coach Dooley played wide receiver at Grambling State under legendary coach Eddie Robinson 1985 – 1988, winning two SWAC Championships. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern University New Orleans in 1999, and his master’s degree from Southern University Baton Rouge in 2005.
His professional playing experience includes earning a free agent contract with the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders, one year with the AFL’s Arizona Rattlers and one year with the World League’s Taipei Dragons (China). He also spent time coaching at his alma mater, Alcee Fortier Senior High, as the wide receiver coach, and as offensive coordinator at McMain High School, both in New Orleans.
Dooley and his wife Alicia enjoy the gift of three children, Taajah, Katerra, and Dy’mond.
