ATLANTA (Sep. 8, 2025) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced that University of South Florida head football coach Alex Golesh 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.

Golesh guided South Florida to one of the program's most memorable wins in recent years this past Saturday, as the Bulls stunned No. 13 Florida 18-16 at a sold-out Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. The victory gave USF its second straight win over a top-25 opponent to open the season, marking the first time in school history the Bulls have defeated ranked teams in back-to-back weeks. USF, which opened the year with a 34-7 win over No. 25 Boise State, has now beaten two ranked teams in the same season for just the third time in program history and the first since 2009.

South Florida's defense helped set the tone against the Gators, holding them without a touchdown until the fourth quarter and limiting Florida to just 16 points. The Bulls forced four punts, recorded a safety, and came up with a key interception from James Chenault.

Quarterback Byrum Brown once again provided the spark for the Bulls' offense, throwing for 263 yards and a touchdown while adding 66 yards on the ground. His biggest moment came on the final drive, as he calmly led an eight-play, 87-yard march that set up Nico Gramatica's 20-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.

"Coach Golesh and the Bulls have already put together one of the best resumes in college football, defeating two ranked teams to open the season," said Jim Terry, Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "Coach Dodd would have commended how USF's players remained disciplined, poised and resilient in all three phases of the game, especially on the road in a hostile environment."

Now in his second season at USF, Golesh has quickly elevated the Bulls into one of the nation's most improved programs in recent years. Saturday's triumph marked the highest-ranked SEC opponent defeated by USF since 2006.

Off the field, Golesh has emphasized academic accountability. The Bulls posted a 983 Academic Progress Rate and a 76 Graduation Success Rate last season, continuing to rank among the best in the AAC.

In the community, Golesh was recently named a nominee for the prestigious 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which recognizes college football student-athletes and head coaches who demonstrate outstanding commitment to community service, leadership and positive impact off the field. Golesh has been actively involved in numerous community service engagements since arriving in Tampa and has fostered a culture of community service within the football program. Golesh began the Bulls' annual "Victory Day" event, which he hosts each year in August, as Special Olympians and their families are welcome to campus to participate with the team in football activities. He also regularly supports organizations around the Bay Area, most recently speaking to the Hillsborough Sheriff's Rising Stars Leadership Academy and participating in the U.S. Naturalization Ceremony for 48 immigrants from 28 countries.

"This was a huge moment for USF and Coach Golesh," said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President. "Coach Golesh's leadership has sparked a remarkable turnaround for the Bulls. Back-to-back wins over ranked opponents to open the season shows just how far the program has come under his guidance as he now has his team in position for a potential College Football Playoff bid."

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.