Dodd Trophy Unveils 2024 Midseason Watch List

ATLANTA (Oct. 17, 2024) – The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today released the midseason watch list for the 2024 Dodd Trophy presented by PNC Bank. This year’s list features 20 of the top college football coaches in the country, representing every Power Four conference, as well as the AAC and one independent coach.

Administered by Peach Bowl, Inc. and presented by PNC Bank, the Dodd Trophy, college football’s most coveted national coaching award, recognizes the head coach of a team that achieves success on the gridiron while emphasizing the importance of Science, Leadership and Integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s coaching philosophy.

The watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., taking into account each program’s graduation rate, graduation success rate (GSR), and commitment to community service and charity the 2024 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR).

First-year coaches with their current teams were not included because they are only in their second year with their programs to be eligible to receive the Dodd Trophy.

“The 2024 season has already been full of historic upsets, thrilling comebacks and outstanding performances from coaches and players,” said Jim Terry, chairman of the Boddy Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. “The coaches named on our list have begun to stand out, but their achievements extend beyond their results on the field and extend to the communities they serve and their commitment to academic excellence.”

The 2024 Dodd Trophy presented by the PNC Bank Midseason Watch List:

trainer	School	conference	AP Ranking	Record	APR
Bret Bielema	Illinois	Big Ten	22	5-1	965
Matt Campbell	Iowa State	Big 12	9	6-0	981
Mario Cristobal	Miami [FL]	ACC	6	6-0	1000
Ryan Day	Ohio State	Big Ten	4	5-1	1000
Eliah Drinkwitz	Mizzou	SEC	19	5-1	997
James Franklin	Penn State	Big Ten	3	6-0	959
Marcus Freeman	Notre Dame	Independent	12	5-1	1000
Josh Heupel	Tennessee	SEC	11	5-1	965
Brian Kelly	LSU	SEC	8	5-1	977
Lane Kiffin	Ole Miss	SEC	18	5-2	993
Chris Klieman	Kansas State	Big 12	17	5-1	1000
Dan Lanning	Oregon	Big Ten	2	6-0	927
Rhett Lashlee	SMU	ACC	21	5-1	962
Jeff Monken	army	AAAC	23	6-0	993
Pat Narduzzi	Pitt	ACC	20	6-0	990
Brian Newberry	marine	AAAC	25	5:0	963
Steve Sarkisian	Texas	SEC	1	6-0	997
Kalani Sitake	BYU	Big 12	13	6-0	946
Kirby Smart	Georgia	SEC	5	5-1	972
Dabo Swinney	Clemson	ACC	10	5-1	997

This year’s midseason watch list includes a group of coaches with 1,723 career wins and four national championships. Two former Dodd Trophy winners, Dabo Swinney (2011) and Brian Kelly (2018), are also there.

The SEC leads all conferences with six coaches on the midseason watch list, followed by the Big Ten and ACC, which each have four representatives. The Big 12 also had three coaches on the list, while the AAC had two honorees and Notre Dame was the only independent institution.

“This distinguished group of coaches knows what it takes to win in both football and life,” said Gary Stokan, CEO and president of Peach Bowl, Inc.. “Every coach has demonstrated success on the gridiron, but it is his leadership towards his young student-athletes in the classroom and in the community that truly sets him apart.”

A panel of judges including previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame will determine the final list of potential recipients at the end of the 2023 season. The winner of the 2024 Dodd Trophy presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.