Most coveted national coaching award honors scholarship, leadership and integrity
during its 50th anniversary season.
Watch list includes 24 coaches representing all Power Four conferences, the AAC and an independent.
ATLANTA (Oct. 22, 2025) – The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today released the midseason watch list for the 2025 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank. This year’s list includes 24 of the nation’s top college football coaches representing all Power Four conferences, as well as the AAC and an independent.
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc. and presented by PNC Bank, The Dodd Trophy, college football’s most coveted national coaching award, celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s coaching philosophy. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, the award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.
The watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., taking into consideration each program’s graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, on-field success thus far for the 2025 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR).
Coaches in the first year with their current teams were not included as they are ineligible to receive The Dodd Trophy until their second year with their programs.
“The first half of the 2025 season has already delivered thrilling competition and strong performances from coaches and players alike,” said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. “Those named to our midseason list have not only guided their teams to success, but have also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to education and community involvement.”
The 2025 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank Midseason Watch List:
| Coach | School | Conference | AP Ranking | Record | APR |
| Bret Bielema | Illinois | Big Ten | 23 | 5-2 | 980 |
| Jeff Brohm | Louisville | ACC | 19 | 5-1 | 989 |
| Curt Cignetti | Indiana | Big Ten | 2 | 7-0 | 982 |
| Mario Cristobal | Miami [FL] | ACC | 9 | 5-1 | 987 |
| Ryan Day | Ohio State | Big Ten | 1 | 7-0 | 1000 |
| Kalen DeBoer | Alabama | SEC | 4 | 6-1 | 1000 |
| Kenny Dillingham | Arizona State | Big 12 | 24 | 5-2 | 983 |
| Eliah Drinkwitz | Mizzou | SEC | 15 | 6-1 | 993 |
| Mike Elko | Texas A&M | SEC | 3 | 7-0 | 974 |
| Tony Elliott | Virginia | ACC | 16 | 6-1 | 969 |
| Marcus Freeman | Notre Dame | Independent | 12 | 5-2 | 987 |
| Alex Golesh | USF | AAC | 18 | 6-1 | 983 |
| Josh Heupel | Tennessee | SEC | 17 | 5-2 | 982 |
| Brian Kelly | LSU | SEC | 20 | 5-2 | 1000 |
| Brent Key | Georgia Tech | ACC | 7 | 7-0 | 991 |
| Lane Kiffin | Ole Miss | SEC | 8 | 6-1 | 952 |
| Dan Lanning | Oregon | Big Ten | 6 | 6-1 | 981 |
| Clark Lea | Vanderbilt | SEC | 10 | 6-1 | 988 |
| Joey McGuire | Texas Tech | Big 12 | 14 | 6-1 | 997 |
| Steve Sarkisian | Texas | SEC | 22 | 5-2 | 991 |
| Scott Satterfield | Cincinnati | Big 12 | 21 | 6-1 | 989 |
| Kalani Sitake | BYU | Big 12 | 11 | 7-0 | 978 |
| Kirby Smart | Georgia | SEC | 5 | 6-1 | 1000 |
| Brent Venables | Oklahoma | SEC | 13 | 6-1 | 993 |
This year’s midseason watch list features a collective group of coaches who have led their teams to 1,813 wins, 27 conference titles and three national championships throughout their collegiate careers. It also includes two previous Dodd Trophy winners with Marcus Freeman (2024) and Brian Kelly (2018).
The SEC leads all conferences with 10 coaches named to the midseason watch list, followed by the Big Ten, the Big 12 and the ACC, who each have four representatives. The AAC also features one coach, and Notre Dame represents the sole independent institution.
“During what is The Dodd Trophy’s 50th anniversary season, this group of coaches continues to embody the values that make college football and this award so special,” said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and president. “Each of them has achieved success where it matters most – by guiding their student-athletes to excel in competition, in academics and most importantly, in life, which is the true spirit of Coach Dodd.”
“The Dodd Trophy stands apart by honoring the full extent of a coach’s impact on their players, schools and communities,” said Samantha Jones, PNC regional president for Georgia. “It’s a powerful reminder that success is measured not only by wins, but by the character and integrity of those who lead. As presenting sponsor, PNC Bank is honored to support an award that continues to elevate these principles in college football and beyond.”
A panel consisting of previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2025 season. The winner of the 2025 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
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About the Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank:
The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank was established in 1976 to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field. The award honors the coach of a team which enjoys a successful football season, while also stressing the importance of academic excellence and character, as did Coach Dodd’s teams during his 22 years as head football coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Coach Dodd remains one of college football’s legendary figures, both as a coach and a player. Coach Dodd was a native of Galax, Virginia, and played his college ball at the University of Tennessee where his team had 27 wins, one loss and two ties during the three years he played. Coach Dodd was selected to the National College Football Hall of Fame both as a coach and as a player. Additional information about the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation can be found at www.TheDoddTrophy.com. For news, updates and insider information, follow us on Twitter at @DoddTrophy or find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DoddTrophy.
About PNC Bank:
PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.
About Peach Bowl, Inc.:
Peach Bowl, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization that operates the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the Aflac Kickoff Game, the Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament, and manages and operates The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank national coach of the year award. It is the ninth-oldest bowl game in the country and is recognized as college football’s most charitable bowl organization, having donated more than $69.7 million to organizations in need.
Peach Bowl, Inc Events:
Our Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl is one of the New Year’s Six bowls selected to host the College Football Playoff including the CFP Quarterfinal in 2025 and the CFP Semifinal in 2026. Over its 56 years, the game has drawn 3.3 million fans in attendance, a total television audience of 239.8 million viewers on ESPN, delivered $245.1 million in team payouts, and has created $889.77 million in direct economic impact and $51.85 million in tax revenue for Atlanta and Georgia.
Our Aflac Kickoff Game is the nation’s longest-running kickoff game and has reshaped the opening weekend in college football. With 23 games since 2008, the game has regularly hosted the nation’s top teams and has drawn nearly 1.5 million fans, 116.4 million television viewers, distributed $127.7 million in team payouts and created an additional $593.8 million in economic impact and $41.5 million in tax revenue for Atlanta and Georgia.
The Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge is the nation’s premier charity golf tournament featuring top current and former college football coaches. Hosted at the beautiful Reynolds Lake Oconee resort outside Atlanta each spring, the event has generated $9.7 million for the various foundations and charities supported by its coaches.
The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank is college football’s most coveted national coaching award. Named for legendary Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd, The Dodd Trophy annually honors the FBS football coach whose program represents three pillars of success: scholarship, leadership and integrity.
