Five established SEC coaches are in the running for a top coaching award.

Alabama’s Nick Saban, Auburn’s Gus Malzahn, Florida’s Dan Mullen, Georgia’s Kirby Smart and LSU’s Orgeron have been named to the Dodd Trophy’s midseason watch list. The list includes 22 of the nation’s top college football coaches who represent 7 conferences and Notre Dame.

The Dodd Trophy honors 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 philosophy.

The midseason watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, taking into consideration each program’s current performance during the 2019 season, Academic Progress Rate, and each coach’s commitment to service and charity in the community.

The Big Ten also has 5 coaches listed, and the Pac-12 has 4.

The coaches on the list together have appeared in the College Football Playoff 15 times, and have won 4 national championships.

A panel of all previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and College Football Hall of Fame members will identify a list of finalists at the end of the season. The winner of the 2019 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during bowl week at this year’s College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.