Eric Dooley is entering his fourth season at Grambling State University as the offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach. The 2017 season marks Dooley’s 21st year in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) with stops at Southern University (14 years) and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (three years) prior to his time with the Tigers.
The 2016 season was a banner year for Grambling’s offensive unit under Dooley. The Tigers won the SWAC West Division for the second straight season and won the SWAC Championship on their way to winning the 2016 Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl - claiming the title of HBCU National Champions with an 11-1 record.
Dooley’s offense averaged 39.8 points per game and led the conference in total offense (486.1 ypg.), passing offense (282.7 ypg.) and passing efficiency (160.1). His relentless work ethic and the proficiency of his offensive unit earned him the 2016 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division I FCS Assistant Coach of the Year Award.
Several players earned all-conference and all-American honors for the remarkable season of offense produced under Dooley in 2016. Quarterback DeVante Kincade led the SWAC in passing yards per game (251.8), passing efficiency (166.0), passing touchdowns (31), fewest interceptions (four) and total offensive yards per game (273.8). Kincade earned several accolades in 2016, including the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Award, the Ben L. Cavil, Sr. “Big Ben” Award, Sheridan Broadcasting Network (SBN) All-American honors, BOXTOROW All-American honors, the SBN Sports Doug Williams Offensive Player of the Year Award and he was named HERO Sports FCS Newcomer of the Year. Additionally, he was a finalist for the Black College Football Hall of Fame Player of the Year Award.
Offensive lineman Justin Miller, running back Martez Carter, and wide Receiver Chad Williams were all named to the All-SWAC First Team for their performance in 2016. Miller and Williams were also named BOXTOROW All-Americans for the second straight year, while wide receiver Verlan Hunter and offensive tackle Trent Scott were named second-team All-SWAC. Williams led the conference in receptions (90), receiving yards (1,337), average receiving yards per game (111.4), and was tied for first in receiving touchdowns with 11. Williams was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Verlan Hunter’s productivity earned him a shot with the Washington Redskins, as he signed as an undrafted free agent.
In 2015, Dooley's offensive unit was one of the most explosive in all of FCS. In his second year as the offensive coordinator, Dooley's offense averaged a whopping 41.3 points a game, finishing fourth in the country for scoring offense, and finishing in the top three of every category except rushing (fourth) and third down conversion (fourth). Dooley's offense managed to score 65 touchdowns - 15 more than the first year - and averaged 470 total yards per game.
Dooley helped to produce some of the top offensive players in the SWAC in 2015, including Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Johnathan Williams, who led the conference in touchdown passes; first-team All-SWAC and BOXTOROW All-Americans offensive tackle Justin Miller and wide receiver Chad Williams, who led the conference in receiving yards (1,012) and was second in touchdowns (10); and second-team All-SWAC running back Martez Carter.
The Tigers posted a perfect regular-season conference record (9-0) before being defeated by Alcorn State in the 2015 SWAC Championship Game. Johnathan Williams’ numbers at quarterback earned him SBN and BOXTOROW First-Team All-American honors. Dooley also mentored All-SWAC Second Team wide receiver Chester Rogers who went on to sign with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent and made the Colts’ final 53-player roster for the 2016 season.
When Dooley arrived at GSU, he brought a wealth of experience along with five SWAC Championships, four Black College National Championships, one HBCU championship and two Heritage Bowl wins. During Dooley's first season as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach with the Tigers in 2014, he put the offensive players in the best position to utilize their talents. Quarterback Johnathan Williams was a second team All-SWAC player, and he led the SWAC in most passing yards per game (272.2), pass efficiency (146.2) and total yards per game (326.4). Grambling finished the season 7-5 overall and 7-2 in conference play.
In 2011, Dooley coached SWAC Freshman of the Year Ben Anderson, who led the conference in total offense and was second in the SWAC in passing offense. In 2012,
Dooley helped the UAPB to a west division conference championship and its only SWAC Championship title in the SWAC Championship game era, its first outright SWAC title since 1966. The 10-win season was the highest win total in a season in school history. That season, the Golden Lions were voted as HBCU Football National Champions, also a first in the programs’ history. Dooley also coached eventual third-round draft pick Teron Armstead, who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints.
While at Southern, Dooley utilized his coaching expertise to mold the Jaguars’ most productive receiver, All-American Michael Hayes. Hayes broke numerous records for most catches and most reception yardage in a single season in 2000 (80 catches for 1,328 yards 15 TD’s). In 2003, his receivers, led by Chris Davis, Alfred Ard, Lionel Joseph, Drayton Bridges and James Vernon accounted for 218 of the Jaguars’ 520 points, and had 3,484 yards and 33 touchdowns.
In 2001, Dooley mentored another one of the program’s most productive receivers, Devin Lewis. In 2009, Dooley coached Juamorris Stewart, who finished his career as Southern University’s second leading receiver with 200 catches for 2,662 yards and 25 touchdowns. Dooley also tutored the Jaguar offensive backfield, which consisted of first team All-SWAC back Steve Wofford and Melvin Williams. Wofford led the conference in rushing, gaining 1,359 yards and was tabbed the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year.
Dooley's playing experience includes, in camp with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders, one year with the AFL's Arizona Rattlers and one year with the World League's Taipae 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 in New Orleans, La.
Dooley earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern University in New Orleans and master’s degree from Southern University at Baton Rouge.
Some of his off-field activities include being a member of the American Football Coaches Association as well as being a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
Dooley and his wife, Alicia, enjoy the gift of three children, Taajah, Katerra, and Dy'mond.
