The team was led by head coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan, in his third year, and played their home games at Cliff Hare Stadium in Auburn, the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery and Ladd Memorial Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.

[12][13] Serving as team captain, Dooley played quarterback and corner back for the 53' Auburn Tigers.

Dooley was named to the Senior Bowl at the conclusion of the season and was invited to the annual Blue-Gray Game.

Big Ed was named team co-captain to the 1953 Auburn Tigers.

He opened up running lanes for future All-SEC back Fob James and was voted the SEC's "Best Offensive Center" at the conclusion of the regular season.