Georgia Assistant Goff Is Named Head Coach

The University of Georgia, which was rebuffed by its first two choices, Monday named assistant coach Ray Goff, a former Bulldog quarterback, to replace Vince Dooley as head football coach.

“Everybody has goals and dreams, and there’s no doubt that this has always been a goal of mine,” Goff said. “I never thought it would come true.”

Goff, 33, has served on the Georgia staff since 1981, and he coached the running backs the last three years.

Goff, a native of Moultrie, Ga., played quarterback for Dooley from 1974-76, leading Georgia to a 19-5 record in his last two seasons. He was named Southeastern Conference player of the year in 1976, when he finished seventh in voting for the Heisman Trophy.

The announcement was made by university president Charles Knapp in Jacksonville, Fla., where the Bulldogs defeated Michigan State, 34-27, in the Gator Bowl Sunday night. Knapp said Goff signed a 5-year contract at a base salary of $95,000.

Georgia Southern Coach Erk Russell, a former Dooley assistant, and North Carolina State’s Dick Sheridan earlier rejected overtures from Georgia officials.