11/5/2026 11:04:00 AM | The Dodd Trophy
Stein earns recognition after leading the Wildcats to an undefeated record in October
ATLANTA (Nov. 5, 2026) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced that Kentucky head football coach Will Stein has been selected as October's Dodd Trophy Coach of the Month.
The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Month award honors a football coach who led his team to noteworthy on-field success during the previous month, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity. Stein was previously named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week on Sept. 21 and carried that momentum into the month of October.
In his first season as a head coach at any level, Stein has guided Kentucky to a 7-1 record and the program's highest ever College Football Playoff ranking at No. 6. He is the first Kentucky head coach to start his debut season with a 7-1 record since 1909, and the first rookie head coach to start 5-1 in SEC play in program history. The Wildcats are currently in first place in the SEC standings after being picked to finish 14th out of 16 teams in the league's preseason poll. Their comfortable 34-17 victory over Vanderbilt capped off the first 4-0 October in program history.
The undefeated month did not come without some drama for the Wildcats, who needed overtime to beat South Carolina and No. 10 LSU by identical 35-34 scores in the first two weeks of October. Stein's gutsy decision-making was the key to victory in both games, as he opted for go-ahead two-point conversions rather than game-tying extra points in the walk-off victories.
"During a month that showed us just how chaotic and unpredictable the college football landscape can be, Coach Stein and his team showed remarkable consistency and resolve," said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "Coach Stein has already taken the Kentucky football program to new heights his first year in Lexington and we have no doubt that the Wildcats will continue to impress down the stretch."
Off the football field, Kentucky players have had success in the classroom, recording a 974 Academic Progress Rate and an 80 Graduation Success Rate during the 2024 season. The Graduation Success Rate measures the number of student-athletes who graduate from their school within six years of entering.
"The success that the Wildcats are seeing this season is the result of a foundation laid by Coach Stein almost a year ago. His investment in his players on and off the field set a new level of expectation," said Peach Bowl, Inc. President and CEO David Epps. "Coach Dodd ran his program that way, and we're proud to recognize a memorable and remarkable October for Kentucky football."
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy, college football's most coveted national coaching award, celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's coaching philosophy. 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 2026 season. The winner of the 2026 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Month award honors a football coach who led his team to noteworthy on-field success during the previous month, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity. Stein was previously named the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week on Sept. 21 and carried that momentum into the month of October.
In his first season as a head coach at any level, Stein has guided Kentucky to a 7-1 record and the program's highest ever College Football Playoff ranking at No. 6. He is the first Kentucky head coach to start his debut season with a 7-1 record since 1909, and the first rookie head coach to start 5-1 in SEC play in program history. The Wildcats are currently in first place in the SEC standings after being picked to finish 14th out of 16 teams in the league's preseason poll. Their comfortable 34-17 victory over Vanderbilt capped off the first 4-0 October in program history.
The undefeated month did not come without some drama for the Wildcats, who needed overtime to beat South Carolina and No. 10 LSU by identical 35-34 scores in the first two weeks of October. Stein's gutsy decision-making was the key to victory in both games, as he opted for go-ahead two-point conversions rather than game-tying extra points in the walk-off victories.
"During a month that showed us just how chaotic and unpredictable the college football landscape can be, Coach Stein and his team showed remarkable consistency and resolve," said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "Coach Stein has already taken the Kentucky football program to new heights his first year in Lexington and we have no doubt that the Wildcats will continue to impress down the stretch."
Off the football field, Kentucky players have had success in the classroom, recording a 974 Academic Progress Rate and an 80 Graduation Success Rate during the 2024 season. The Graduation Success Rate measures the number of student-athletes who graduate from their school within six years of entering.
"The success that the Wildcats are seeing this season is the result of a foundation laid by Coach Stein almost a year ago. His investment in his players on and off the field set a new level of expectation," said Peach Bowl, Inc. President and CEO David Epps. "Coach Dodd ran his program that way, and we're proud to recognize a memorable and remarkable October for Kentucky football."
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy, college football's most coveted national coaching award, celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's coaching philosophy. 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 2026 season. The winner of the 2026 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Thursday, March 26
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