Virginia’s Tony Elliott Named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week

ATLANTA (Sep. 29, 2025) – Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. right this moment introduced that Virginia head soccer coach Tony Elliott has been chosen as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Presented by PNC Bank.

The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a soccer coach who led his crew to a big victory throughout the earlier week, whereas additionally embodying the award’s three pillars of scholarship, management and integrity.

Elliott and Virginia kicked off the weekend with a surprising upset on Friday night time, because the Cavaliers outlasted No. 8 Florida State, 46-38, in double time beyond regulation in entrance of a sold-out crowd at Scott Stadium. Quarterback Chandler Morris led the hassle by finishing 26-of-35 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns, whereas additionally speeding for 3 extra scores, together with a 4-yard keeper within the second time beyond regulation. Cornerback Ja’son Prevard sealed the upset together with his second interception of the sport on Florida State’s ultimate drive.

The victory marked Virginia’s first residence win over a top-10 opponent since 2005 and improved the Cavaliers to 4-1 general and 2-0 within the ACC. Elliott’s squad overcame a number of momentum swings, together with a game-tying Seminole landing within the ultimate minute of regulation, and held Florida State, who entered averaging 58 factors and greater than 620 yards per sport, to only 38 factors whereas forcing three turnovers and recording 5 tackles for loss. Running again J’Mari Taylor added 99 speeding yards and a landing as Virginia completed with 201 yards on the bottom.

“Coach Elliott and the Cavaliers showed tremendous poise and resilience in a high-pressure matchup,” stated Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. “Their ability to upset a top-10 opponent in such dramatic fashion reflects the leadership, character and preparation that The Dodd Trophy represents.”

Now in his fourth season in Charlottesville, Elliott has steadily positioned Virginia as a program on the rise. Under his management, the Cavaliers have developed NFL caliber expertise, produced a number of All-ACC performers and delivered signature highway wins over ranked opponents, all whereas sustaining a relentless deal with constructing what Elliott calls “The Model Program.”

Off the sphere, Elliott has emphasised humility, effort, accountability, respect and toughness – values he defines because the foundations of a championship tradition. His strategy helped the Cavaliers persevere via an unimaginable tragedy in 2022, when a taking pictures claimed the lives of three gamers. Guided by religion and unity, this system has emerged with a renewed dedication to goal and to one another, making a tradition rooted in care and resilience that extends properly past the boundaries of soccer.

That mindset and tradition have confirmed profitable as Virginia posted a 969 Academic Progress Rate and a 91 Graduation Success Rate final season, rating this system among the many greatest within the ACC.

In the group, Elliott’s imaginative and prescient facilities on holistic student-athlete improvement and repair. By fostering management, educational excellence and a powerful connection to Charlottesville, Elliott is proving that Virginia can compete on the highest stage whereas staying true to the college’s values – and shaping the younger males underneath his management to succeed lengthy after their enjoying days finish.

“This victory characterizes everything Coach Elliott is building at Virginia,” stated Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President. “He has created a program grounded in discipline and perseverance. A win like this proves that he has the program heading in the right direction and we’re looking forward to seeing what other milestones he’s able to achieve while leading the Cavaliers.”

The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank – together with the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Award – celebrates the top coach of a FBS crew who enjoys success on the gridiron, whereas additionally stressing the significance of scholarship, management and integrity. Now celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this season, the award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (previously Division 1A) head soccer coach whose program represents the very best beliefs on and off the sphere.

A panel consisting of all earlier winners, nationwide media, a member of the Dodd household and a College Football Hall of Fame member will determine the ultimate checklist of potential recipients on the conclusion of the 2025 season. The winner of the 2025 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank shall be introduced in Atlanta throughout the week of the College Football Playoff Semifinal on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.