ATLANTA (Nov. 13, 2023) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced that UCF head football coach Gus Malzahn 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.

Malzahn led the Knights to a 45-3 victory over No. 15 Oklahoma State in Orlando over the weekend, securing the 100th win of his career. The 42-point win marks the largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent in program history. The Knights' offense accumulated 592 yards, their most ever in a Big 12 conference game, while the defense allowed the fewest points in a game since a shutout victory over Florida A&M in 2019. UCF running back RJ Harvey set a career high in rushing yards with 206 yards on the ground and three touchdowns, while wide receiver Kobe Hudson recorded three receiving touchdowns. The defense forced four turnovers, led by Demari Henderson's two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

"This was a tremendous win by coach Malzahn and his football team over a surging Oklahoma State team who had just won five straight games," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "The Knights not only pulled off the upset, but did so in dominating fashion on both sides of the ball, which is something coach Dodd would have applauded."

In his third season at UCF, Malzahn has posted a 23-14 record and led the Knights to two consecutive bowl games. Before arriving in Orlando, Malzahn spent eight seasons at Auburn and received eight different Coach of the Year awards in 2013 after leading the Tigers to a successful 12-2 season and the BCS National Championship Game. His collegiate coaching career has also included stops with Arkansas State, Tulsa and Arkansas.

Malzahn's players have had continuous success in the classroom during his tenure, recording a 984 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, Gus Malzahn created the Malzahn Family Foundation, which aims to help meet the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of children and their families in times of need.
 
Malzahn has also been a regular participant in the Southern Company Peach Bowl Challenge charity golf tournament, where he has raised a total of $237,500 for scholarship and various charities.  

"This was a marquee win for the Knights in their first year of the Big 12," said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President, Gary Stokan. "Coach Malzahn has always excelled in teaching his student-athletes perseverance on and off the field. That, along with his commitment to academic excellence and community involvement, makes him a worthy selection for this week's 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.