ATLANTA (Oct. 21, 2024) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced that Tennessee head football coach Josh Heupel 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.

Heupel and the No. 11 Volunteers surged past No. 7 Alabama, 24-17 on Saturday afternoon at Neyland Stadium. Trailing 7-0 at the half, the Volunteers scored all of their points in the second half on the heels of junior running back Dylan Sampson's two rushing touchdowns. Sampson had a career night with 26 carries for 139 rushing yards, while redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava finished with 194 yards and one touchdown in the air. The Tennessee defense shut down the high-powered Alabama offense most of the afternoon, holding the Crimson Tide to a season low 17 points.

With the win, Heupel now improved his overall record to 61-21 in his seven seasons as a head coach. Heupel came to Tennessee four years ago after spending three seasons at UCF, where he compiled a 28-8 record and a conference championship in 2018. Since taking over at Tennessee, Heupel has posted a 33-13 record, becoming the third most winningest coach through three seasons in Volunteer history. Under his leadership, the Volunteers finished back-to-back seasons ranked in the AP Top-20, becoming the first head coach to accomplish this feat in two decades.

"Coach Heupel and his Volunteers made a statement on Saturday," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "The Volunteers have seen a resurgence since he took over in 2021 and they look poised to have another big season under his leadership."

Off the football field, Heupel's players have had success in the classroom during his tenure, recording a 965 Academic Progress Rate and an 85 Graduation Success Rate. The Graduation Success Rate measures the number of student-athletes who graduate from their school within six years of entering.

"Coach Heupel has had success both in the classroom and on the field since taking over the Tennessee program," said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President Gary Stokan. "It's evident that he's taking the Volunteers to new heights and is making his mark on the program during his four seasons in Knoxville."

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 2024 season. The winner of the 2024 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.