Jim Dooley may have spent the bulk of his football career in Chicago with the Bears as both a player and later a coach, but that career started in Miami.
A standout at Miami High, Dooley played on both sides of the ball for the Hurricanes during both his junior and senior year. He set multiple records during his college career, totaling 17 interceptions while playing with the defense and rushing for more than 1,000 yards when playing offense. In 1951, he had 10 interceptions and was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press. He was the MVP of the 1952 Gator Bowl after hauling in a record four picks in that game.
Dooley has the distinction of being the first Hurricane ever selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, going No. 8 overall to the Bears. After an eight-year career with the Bears, he retired in 1962 and joined Chicago’s coaching staff shortly thereafter. He was eventually elevated to head coach in 1968.
Dooley was inducted into UM’s Ring of Honor in 1997 and the UM Sports Hall of Fame in 1972.
– Christy Cabrera Chirinos