ATLANTA (Sept. 11, 2023) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced that Texas head football coach Steve Sarkisian 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.

The Texas Longhorns took down No. 3 Alabama on Saturday, snapping the Crimson Tide's 21-game home winning streak. Sarkisian led Texas to a 34-24 victory giving Alabama its first nonconference regular season loss in 16 years and Nick Saban his first double-digit home loss in 20 years. Quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 349 yards with three touchdowns, while the defense was led by freshman linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., who had six total tackles and two of the Longhorns' five sacks. Sarkisian's win with the Longhorns is the team's first AP top-three win in 15 years and the first AP top-three road win in 54 years.

"This was a statement game for coach Sarkisian and the Texas football program, defeating the No. 3 team in the country and snapping their 21-game home winning streak," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "Coach Dodd always emphasized the importance of preparation, and Saturday's game left no doubt that Sarkisian and his staff had his team prepared to go on the road and pull out the victory against a perennial power."

Sarkisian is now in his third season with the Longhorns after being named the head coach in January 2021. Prior to his time in Austin, Sarkisian served as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach under Nick Saban at Alabama. He was also the head coach at Washington and USC, and has served as an assistant coach for various colleges and NFL teams during his 23 years of coaching. With Saturday's win, Sarkisian became only the third former assistant coach under Saban to later beat their mentor, joining Jimbo Fisher and Kirby Smart.

Off the football field, Sarkisian's players have had continued success in the classroom during his tenure, recording a 974 Academic Progress Rate and a 73 Graduation Success Rate during the 2022 season.  

In the community, Sarkisian has given back by recently donating 500 Raising Cane's meals to emergency service workers who were working nonstop during Texas' freezing winter storms.

"Managing a marquee program that not only succeeds on the field, but also in the classroom, is a challenging and noteworthy task," said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and president. "Coach Sarkisian has curated a winning culture at Texas and has put his team in a position to be successful both on and off the field. We look forward to seeing where he's able to take the program this season and into the future as it moves into the SEC."

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.