ATLANTA (Dec. 1, 2025) - 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.
Sarkisian earned this week's honor after guiding No. 16 Texas to a 27-17 win over No. 3 Texas A&M in the first Cotton Holdings Lone Star Showdown in Austin since 2010. The Longhorns erupted in the second half, scoring on four of their first five possessions and outscoring the Aggies 24-7 over the final 30 minutes in front of a sold-out home crowd at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. With the win, Texas became the first team with three top-10 victories in a regular season since the 2019 LSU Tigers.
Quarterback Arch Manning totaled 232 yards of offense and two touchdowns, including a 35-yard game-clinching touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Running back Quintrevion Wisner powered the ground attack with 155 rushing yards, while tight end Jack Endries added 93 receiving yards. Defensively, the Longhorns delivered back-to-back interceptions in the fourth quarter to put the game away, with Michael Taaffe and Kobe Black each picking off Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed. Liona Lefau led the defense with a career-high 11 tackles, and Ethan Burke recorded nine tackles and a blocked field goal.
"Coach Sarkisian has transformed Texas into one of the most consistent and disciplined programs in college football," said Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Chairman Jim Terry. "Defeating the undefeated, No. 3 team in the national and their rival, while also capturing their third top-10 win of the season, speaks volumes to the culture, preparation and leadership he has built there."
Now in his fifth season at the helm, Sarkisian has firmly restored Texas football to national prominence through a patient, disciplined rebuild that has produced one of the winningest stretches in program history. His Longhorns have made back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, won a Big 12 Championship, and posted consecutive top-five finishes while transitioning seamlessly into the SEC, positioning the program for sustained long-term success. The program's rise under Sarkisian has been fueled by steady on-field growth driven by player development, elite recruiting and a strong team culture, with the Longhorns consistently delivering championship-level results on one of college football's biggest stages.
In the classroom, Sarkisian emphasizes academic accountability and growth as cornerstones of the program. Texas football holds a 991 Academic Progress Rate and a 76 Graduation Success Rate, highlighting his commitment to developing student-athletes who excel academically while competing at the highest level.
In the community, Sarkisian has been connected to a number of charitable efforts, including philanthropic work alongside his wife, Loreal, who is involved with organizations such as The Kindness Campaign, the UGLI Foundation, Runway of Dreams, Dress for Success and other causes. He also embraces the mission of Horns Giving Back, a community program started by Longhorns for Longhorns, which rallies alumni and supporters to raise funds for athletes through landmark events like the annual Tee It Up for Cole Pittman Golf Tournament and the Texas Premier Football Camp.
"Steve Sarkisian has built a culture defined by composure, toughness and accountability at Texas," said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and president. "We saw this first-hand last season when Texas won the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and Friday's win over Texas A&M just reinforces why Sarkisian and the Longhorns continue to deserve recognition among the nation's top programs."
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. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, the award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.
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 2025 season. The winner of the 2025 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
