ATLANTA (Oct. 30, 2023) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl today announced that Kansas head football coach Lance Leipold has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Presented by PNC Bank.
The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
Leipold led the Jayhawks to a 38-33 upset over previously undefeated No. 6 Oklahoma, snapping an 18-game Oklahoma win streak in the series. The win marks Kansas' first regular season win over a top-10 opponent since 1995, and the first win over a top-10 opponent in Lawrence since defeating No. 2 Oklahoma in 1984. Kansas rushed for 225 yards and four touchdowns, while quarterback Jason Bean added 218 yards in the air. The defense helped secure the win with a pick-six by Mello Dotson in Oklahoma's first offensive drive, marking the third pick-six for the Jayhawks this season. Kwinton Lassiter then broke up an Oklahoma pass with three seconds left in the game to seal the 38-33 win.
"This was a program-defining win for both coach Leipold and the Jayhawks," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "Being an underdog wasn't common for Coach Dodd's teams, but when they were, he knew how to prepare. Coach Leipold obviously had the Jayhawks ready in the same way."
Leipold is currently in his third season leading the Jayhawks in Lawrence. He previously served as the head coach at both Wisconsin-Whitewater and Buffalo, where he became the fastest coach in NCAA history to reach 100 career wins. While at Wisconsin-Whitewater, Leipold led his program to six NCAA Division III National Championships. He also had previous roles throughout his career at Doane, Wisconsin, Nebraska-Omaha and Nebraska.
Leipold's players have had continuous success in the classroom during his tenure, recording a 958 Academic Progress Rate and an 85 Graduation Success Rate during the 2022 season. The Graduation Success Rate measures the number of student-athletes who graduate from their school within six years of entering.
In the community, Lance and his wife Kelly announced The Lance and Kelly Leipold Graduate Assistant Fund in 2022, which is an endowed fund that will provide perpetual support for an on-field graduate position with the football program. The fund looks to present opportunities for individuals who represent marginalized communities to gain experience in the coaching field.
"Coach Leipold is known for building up programs throughout his career," said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President, Gary Stokan. "He strives for his student-athletes to have success on and off the field, and is committed to setting them up to achieve greatness in life after their time in Lawrence. He's put Kansas football back on the map and is very deserving of this honor."
The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank – along with the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Award – celebrates the head coach of a FBS team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
A panel consisting of all 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 2023 season. The winner of the 2023 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
