Latest news with #DoddTrophy
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kenny Dillingham Given Major Preseason Coaching Honor
Kenny Dillingham Given Major Preseason Coaching Honor originally appeared on Athlon Sports. One of the best coaches in college football is a genius at building culture within a program, to get his players to care for one another and wants the media and his opponents to consistently underestimate him and his team. Advertisement Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham has been placed on the watchlist for the most prestigious award in coaching, the Dodd Trophy. The prestigious award has been in existence for half a century and is the most coveted coaching award in the sport of college football. After seven years of coaching offenses at the high school level in Arizona, Dillingham took his offensive skills to the collegiate level and Arizona State as an offensive analyst. After coaching stops at Memphis, Auburn, Florida State and Oregon, Dillingham returned home to take the head coaching job with the Sun Devils in 2023. Advertisement In just two years, Dillingham has built an oasis of college football nirvana in the desert valley. He has built a culture of winning, a sense of brotherhood among his players, and a desire to be underrated. Dillingham wants his Sun Devils to be overlooked by his opponents so his merry band of brothers with devilish grins can leave cleat marks on their opponents' facemasks as they leave a trail of defeated wannabes in their wake as they march to victory. TEMPE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 5: Head Coach Kenny Dillingham of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts to a non-call by the referees during a timeout in the Kansas Jayhawks versus the Arizona State Sun Devils football game at Mountain America Stadium on October 5, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by)Photo byLast season, everybody who was anybody who covered the sport picked Arizona State to finish in the cellar of the Big 12 Conference. Dillingham's Sun Devils promptly won 11 games and won the conference title in 2024, a complete turnaround from the three-win season of 2023. Then they came within a play or two of beating the mighty Longhorns of Texas in the college football playoff. Advertisement Dillingham welcomes back 17 starters and his coaching staff this season, starters and coaches who have unfinished business and scores to settle. No transfers, no leaving for better coaching gigs. Only a desire by all to be a part of something special in the Valley of the Sun. Dillingham is wise beyond his years and is the architect of what is fast becoming the best college football program in the country. Related: Sun Devils Coach Kenny Dillingham 'Uncomfortable' With Preseason Hype This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
This Week in Happy Valley: McKenna Watch
How much is Penn State offering for Gavin McKenna? Why the CHL rule change has been the biggest factor in Penn State hockey's recruiting surge. Former Penn State hockey forward Connor MacEachern has signed in Sweden. Advertisement Where do Penn State football's top players rank in College Football 26? Who are Penn State football's top sleeper players in 2025? James Franklin was named to the Dodd Trophy watchlist this week. More from
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Missouri Coach Eli Drinkwitz Named to Prestigious Preseason Watch List
Missouri Coach Eli Drinkwitz Named to Prestigious Preseason Watch List originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Mizzou football head coach Eli Drinkwitz was one of only 26 FBS coaches named to the 2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List, the organization behind the award revealed Monday. Advertisement Presented by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl Inc. every year, the award celebrates a head coach that leads his team to success on the gridiron, while also emphasizing "scholarship, leadership and integrity," per a press release announcing the watch list. Over the last two years, Missouri has finished the year ranked in the top-25 and collected a combined 21-5 overall record, including an 11-5 mark in SEC play, which is tied for the third best two-year stretch in program history. Entering his sixth season leading the Tigers' program, Drinkwitz has collected a 38-24 (.613) overall record, and he eclipsed Dan Devine's school record for wins in the first five seasons of a Mizzou head coaching tenure. Advertisement Drinkwitz has also led MU to a 27-7 (.794) record on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, giving him the best home win percentage (minimum four seasons) in the history of the program. Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz© Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images A Missouri head coach has never won the award, but Drinkwitz was a finalist for it during the 2023 season. The award ultimately went to Florida State's Mike Norvell, and last year it was given to Marcus Freeman from Notre Dame. The SEC had strong representation in the preseason watch list as six coaches from the conference made the cut, three of which Drinkwitz will coach off against this season. The award honors Bobby Dodd who coached at Georgia Tech from 1931-1966, serving as head coach for 21 years of that stretch. Over that stint, he compiled a 165-64-8 record. Advertisement Related: Mizzou Picks Up Commitment From Safety out of Georgia This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Steve Sarkisian earns spot on Dodd Trophy preseason watch list
With the 2025 college football season just a few months away, the Texas Longhorns have been popular on preseason watch lists. That continued on Monday when Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian was named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Dodd Trophy. The award celebrates a coach who has achieved success on the field while also emphasizing the importance of scholarship, leadership, and integrity. As Sarkisian looks to add to his trophy case, he will have competition. He was one of 26 coaches in the nation on the list. This is not unfamiliar territory for the architect of the Longhorns' success. Last year, Sarkisian was honored on both the 2024 Dodd Trophy preseason and midseason watch lists. During Sarkisian's tenure, the Longhorns have been one of the most successful programs in the country. They have one of the best chances at winning a national title after tying the program record with 13 wins last season. Over the last two years, with Sarkisian leading the way, Texas has 25 wins. However, his impact on his players extends beyond the box score. He has also helped his players reach their dreams. Just a few months ago, former Longhorns stars such as Matthew Golden, Gunnar Helm, Quinn Ewers, and Andrew Mukaba were drafted by NFL teams. The year before, Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy heard their names called after being coached by Sarkisian. That is partly why the Longhorns head coach is up for another honor. Although Sarkisian's focus is on winning a national title, he won't have to wait long to see if he advances to the next round. The field will be narrowed down at midseason. The winner will then be picked by a panel that includes previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family, and a College Football Hall of Fame member. While Sarkisian will ultimately be judged by wins and losses, adding more hardware to his trophy case would be a reason to celebrate. He has a good resume to back it up with what he has accomplished during his time in Austin.
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Dan Lanning named to Dodd Trophy preseason watch list
During his three seasons with the Oregon Ducks, Dan Lanning has quickly developed into one of the best coaches in college football. He has posted an absurd 35-6 record which ranks fourth among all programs since he was hired in late 2021. The Ducks have enjoyed tons of success in the last few decades, but Lanning has come to Eugene and transformed a great program into a college football powerhouse. Thanks to his excellence on and off the field, he is now being honored for his accomplishments. Lanning won the Stallings Award earlier this year which recognizes a coach who exhibits great leadership and extraordinary humanitarian efforts. The Oregon head coach is expected to be in the running for another award this season after the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation released their watch list for this year's Dodd Trophy. The foundation mentioned Lanning along with a slew of other notable names like Ryan Day of Ohio State and last year's winner Marcus Freeman from Notre Dame. The Dodd Trophy is widely considered to be the most esteemed coaching honor and Lanning has a great shot to win it. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
