Dodd Trophy Releases 2026 Preseason Watch List

ATLANTA (July 9, 2026) – The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. immediately launched the preseason watch record for the 2026 Dodd Trophy. This 12 months’s record consists of 20 of the nation’s high faculty soccer coaches representing all Power Four conferences, in addition to the Pac-12 and an unbiased establishment.
 
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy, faculty soccer’s most coveted nationwide teaching award, celebrates the pinnacle coach of a staff who enjoys success on the gridiron, whereas additionally stressing the significance of scholarship, management and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s teaching philosophy. The award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (previously Division 1A) head soccer coach whose program represents the best beliefs on and off the sector.
 
This 12 months’s watch record was created by a variety course of by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. taking into account every program’s Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), dedication to service and charity locally, in addition to projected success for the 2026 season.
 
Coaches within the first 12 months with their present groups weren’t included as they’re ineligible to obtain The Dodd Trophy till the second 12 months main their packages. Head coaches named to this 12 months’s watch record have been additionally required to have an APR above the nationwide common of 971.
 
“For more than five decades, The Dodd Trophy has established itself as the most coveted head coaching award in college football because it represents more than just wins on the field,” mentioned Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. “Equally as important, we also focus on a coach’s impact on developing student-athletes in the classroom and within their communities. As a result, consideration is limited to coaches who have set a standard of academic excellence and have spent at least two seasons leading their current programs, allowing them time to build a culture of success on and off the field.”
 
The 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List:
 

 
Coaches named to this 12 months’s preseason watch record have mixed for 4 nationwide championships, 31 FBS convention titles and secured 1,841 wins all through their careers.
 
Of the 20 coaches on the watch record, 4 are earlier winners of The Dodd Trophy, together with Curt Cignetti (2025), Kirk Ferentz (2015), Marcus Freeman (2024) and Willie Fritz (2022).
 
Additionally, three of the finalists for final 12 months’s award are represented with Ryan Day (Ohio State), Kirby Smart (Georgia) and the eventual winner of the 2025 Dodd Trophy, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti.
 
The Big Ten leads all conferences with seven coaches named to the preseason watch record, adopted by the SEC with six coaches represented and the ACC with three. The Big 12 has two coaches included on this 12 months’s record, together with a consultant from the Pac-12 and one coach from an unbiased establishment (Notre Dame).
 
“The Dodd Trophy has long recognized the qualities that define exceptional leadership in college football through its three guiding pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity,” mentioned Peach Bowl, Inc. President and CEO David Epps. “Those three principles are at the heart of this award, and we look forward to following this outstanding group of coaches as they compete and lead their programs throughout the upcoming season.”
 
A midseason watch record – including to or narrowing the sector – might be launched within the fall. A panel consisting of earlier winners, nationwide media, a member of the Dodd household and a College Football Hall of Fame member will establish the ultimate record of potential recipients on the conclusion of the 2026 season. The winner of the 2026 Dodd Trophy will then be introduced in Atlanta in the course of the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal on the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
 
On a weekly foundation, the Dodd Coach of the Week award may even honor coaches whose program embodies the award’s three pillars of scholarship, management and integrity, whereas additionally having success on the taking part in subject in the course of the earlier week.