Dodd Trophy names 2 SEC coaches to its preseason watch list
By Keith Farner
Published:
Nick Saban and Sam Pittman were the SEC coaches named to the Dodd Trophy preseason watch list, the Dodd Trophy and the Peach Bowl announced on Thursday.
The Dodd Trophy celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success, but who also stresses the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity, the 3 pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s coaching philosophy. The award considers each program’s graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate, commitment to service and charity in the community, projected success for the 2023 season and Academic Progress Rate.
The ACC, Big 12 and B1G led all conferences with 5 coaches each named to the preseason watch list, followed by the SEC with 2. The Pac-12, AAC and Mountain West each have one coach represented.
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 2023 season. The winner will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the Peach Bowl.
Here are all of the coaches:
Coach School APR
Dave Aranda Baylor 990
Andy Avalos Boise State 982
Mack Brown North Carolina 984
Dave Clawson Wake Forest 1000
Ryan Day Ohio State 1000
Dave Doeren NC State 988
Kirk Ferentz Iowa 980
P.J. Fleck Minnesota 994
Marcus Freeman Notre Dame 991
Willie Fritz Tulane 981
Jim Harbaugh Michigan 1000
Gus Malzahn UCF 986
Joey McGuire Texas Tech 997
Mike Norvell Florida State 981
Sam Pittman Arkansas 994
Nick Saban Alabama 997
Steve Sarkisian Texas 983
Dabo Swinney Clemson 985
Mel Tucker Michigan State 982
Brent Venables Oklahoma 997
Kyle Whittingham Utah 988
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
