ATLANTA (Sept. 21, 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 The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week.
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.
In just his third game in the top job at Kentucky, Stein and the Wildcats emerged victorious from a hostile road environment at Kyle Field with a 31-21 upset over ninth-ranked Texas A&M. After trailing 7-0 with two minutes to play in the first half, Kentucky exploded for 28 unanswered points to take a three-score lead into the fourth quarter. A pair of fourth quarter scores narrowed the gap for the Aggies, but the Wildcat defense held on to secure the biggest win of Stein's young career. Transfer quarterback Kenny Minchey led the way for the Wildcats with 252 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns on 14/18 passing. Fellow newcomer CJ Baxter paced the rushing attack, tallying 87 yards on 19 carries and hitting paydirt twice during the 28-0 Kentucky run. Returning Wildcat DJ Miller was Minchey's top target, hauling in five receptions for 96 yards. On the day, Kentucky won the turnover battle 2-0, never turning the ball over on offense and securing two key interceptions on defense.
"Coach Stein has announced his arrival to the head coaching ranks in impressive fashion," said Chairman of the Boddy Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. "In a conference full of strong teams, his program looks ready to compete with the very best. We look forward to following the team's success in his first season and beyond."
Kentucky's upset of No. 9 Texas A&M marked the program's highest ranked victory since toppling No. 6 Ole Miss on the road in 2024. With five upcoming opponents currently ranked in the AP poll, the Wildcats will have ample opportunity to notch two wins over ranked opponents for the first time since 2023, a benchmark the program had achieved in five of the previous six seasons.
"Taking over a program like Kentucky is no small task," said Peach Bowl, Inc. President and CEO
David Epps. "Coach Stein has stepped into a challenging role and showed incredible poise. The development of his program and his players is something we will continue to watch intently."
Stein, Kentucky's first new head coach since 2013, is off to a running start with his first signature victory over a ranked team. Stein has already faced two SEC juggernauts in Alabama and Texas A&M, and will have a chance to become familiar with seven more conference foes in his first year. The Wildcats close out the year with a non-conference matchup against in-state rival Louisville, Stein's alma mater where he played quarterback for five seasons from 2008-2012.
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.
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.
