ATLANTA (Sept. 1, 2026) - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. today announced that University of Virginia head football coach Tony Elliott has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week for the second time in his career.
 
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.
 
Elliott and the Cavaliers scored early and often en route to a dominant 34-8 season-opening victory, finding the end zone in all four quarters and holding NC State to just one touchdown. Two of the Virginia touchdowns came from the arm of transfer quarterback Beau Pribula. The former Penn State and Missouri standout threw two touchdown passes of 45 and 47 yards to help the Cavaliers jump out to a 24-0 lead to start the game. Pribula led the ground attack as well, punishing the Wolfpack for a career-best 110 yards on 15 carries. Running back Xavier Brown caught one of Pribula's touchdown passes and added a score on the ground to go along with his 98 all-purpose yards. Led by Michigan transfer Brandyn Hillman's interception and forced fumble, UVA's defense forced two turnovers and held the Wolfpack to just 168 yards on the day.
 
The reigning ACC Coach of the Year, Elliott has elevated the Virginia football program to new heights during his five-year tenure in Charlottesville. Last season, the Cavaliers won a school-record 11 games, including a victory over Missouri in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, UVA's first bowl win in seven years. Virginia also finished 7-1 in ACC play, matching the program's single-season ACC wins record, and sat alone atop the league's regular season standings for the first time in program history. The 11-win campaign also marked the second-largest win improvement among all college football programs from 2024 to 2025.
 
Elliott is no stranger to the ranks of The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week. This recognition marks the second of his career, following last season's 46-38 upset of No. 8 Florida State in double overtime.
 
"Coach Elliott's turnaround at Virginia has been nothing short of remarkable," said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "The Cavaliers season-opening victory in front of a sellout crowd was exactly the kind of performance worthy of a second Coach of the Week recognition in as many years."
 
Off the football field, Elliott's players have had success in the classroom, recording a 973 Academic Progress Rate and a 95 Graduation Success Rate, GSR. The Graduation Success Rate measures the number of student-athletes who graduate from their school within six years of entering.
 
In the community, Elliott's vision centers on holistic student-athlete development and service. By fostering leadership, academic excellence and a strong connection to Charlottesville, Elliott is proving that Virginia can compete at the highest level while staying true to the university's values – and shaping the young men under his leadership to succeed long after their playing days end.
 
"With a national audience tuning in, Coach Elliott and his team made a statement right out of the gate to start this season," said Peach Bowl, Inc. President and CEO David Epps. "In addition to his on-field success, he's also built a program that is establishing itself in the classroom and the community. We look forward to seeing how his Cavaliers continue to perform this season, both on and off the field."
 
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 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.