ATLANTA (July 9, 2026) – The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today released the preseason watch list for the 2026 Dodd Trophy. This year's list includes 20 of the nation's top college football coaches representing all Power Four conferences, as well as the Pac-12 and an independent institution.
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.
This year's watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. taking into consideration each program's Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, as well as projected success for the 2026 season.
Coaches in the first year with their current teams were not included as they are ineligible to receive The Dodd Trophy until the second year leading their programs. Head coaches named to this year's watch list were also required to have an APR above the national average of 971.
"For more than five decades, The Dodd Trophy has established itself as the most coveted head coaching award in college football because it represents more than just wins on the field," said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "Equally as important, we also focus on a coach's impact on developing student-athletes in the classroom and within their communities. As a result, consideration is limited to coaches who have set a standard of academic excellence and have spent at least two seasons leading their current programs, allowing them time to build a culture of success on and off the field."
The 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List:
| Coach |
School |
Conference |
APR (2024-25) |
| Bret Bielema |
Illinois |
Big Ten |
988 |
| Jeff Brohm |
Louisville |
ACC |
972 |
| Curt Cignetti |
Indiana |
Big Ten |
989 |
| Mario Cristobal |
Miami (FL) |
ACC |
993 |
| Spencer Danielson |
Boise State |
Pac-12 |
985 |
| Ryan Day |
Ohio State |
Big Ten |
1000 |
| Kalen DeBoer |
Alabama |
SEC |
1000 |
| Sonny Dykes |
TCU |
Big 12 |
987 |
| Mike Elko |
Texas A&M |
SEC |
1000 |
| Kirk Ferentz |
Iowa |
Big Ten |
997 |
| Jedd Fisch |
Washington |
Big Ten |
991 |
| Marcus Freeman |
Notre Dame |
Independent |
1000 |
| Willie Fritz |
Houston |
Big 12 |
989 |
| Josh Heupel |
Tennessee |
SEC |
993 |
| Brent Key |
Georgia Tech |
ACC |
997 |
| Dan Lanning |
Oregon |
Big Ten |
988 |
| Lincoln Riley |
USC |
Big Ten |
993 |
| Steve Sarkisian |
Texas |
SEC |
990 |
| Kirby Smart |
Georgia |
SEC |
981 |
| Brent Venables |
Oklahoma |
SEC |
997 |
Coaches named to this year's preseason watch list have combined for four national championships, 31 FBS conference titles and secured 1,841 wins throughout their careers.
Of the 20 coaches on the watch list, four are previous winners of The Dodd Trophy, including Curt Cignetti (2025), Kirk Ferentz (2015), Marcus Freeman (2024) and Willie Fritz (2022).
Additionally, three of the finalists for last year's award are represented with Ryan Day (Ohio State), Kirby Smart (Georgia) and the eventual winner of the 2025 Dodd Trophy, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti.
The Big Ten leads all conferences with seven coaches named to the preseason watch list, followed by the SEC with six coaches represented and the ACC with three. The Big 12 has two coaches included on this year's list, along with a representative from the Pac-12 and one coach from an independent institution (Notre Dame).
"The Dodd Trophy has long recognized the qualities that define exceptional leadership in college football through its three guiding pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity," said Peach Bowl, Inc. President and CEO
David Epps. "Those three principles are at the heart of this award, and we look forward to following this outstanding group of coaches as they compete and lead their programs throughout the upcoming season."
A midseason watch list – adding to or narrowing the field – will be released in the fall. A panel consisting of 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 then be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
On a weekly basis, the Dodd Coach of the Week award will also honor coaches whose program embodies the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity, while also having success on the playing field during the previous week.
