Ryan Day of Ohio State has been added to the 2024 Dodd Trophy watch list.
The list includes 20 of the best college football coaches in the country, representing all Power Four conferences and an independent. The leader of the Buckeyes has contributed to keeping the Scarlet and Gray as one of the best programs in the country.
The Dodd Trophy is set to begin its 48th season and is given to the top college football coach each year. The award is meant to recognize “the coach of a team which enjoys a successful football season, while also stressing the importance of academic excellence and character, as did Coach Dodd’s teams during his 22 years as head football coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.”
The chairman of the Boddy Dougdd Coach of the Year Foundation, Jim Terry, stated in the release announcing the watch list, “The Dodd Trophy continues to be the most coveted coach of the year award due to what we call the ‘Dodd Difference,’ where coaches are held to a higher standard, both on and off the field.”
This honor recognizes the coaches’ leadership qualities in the classroom and in their communities, in addition to their accomplishments on the football field. In order to provide coaches enough opportunity to set a precedent at their universities, we only take into consideration coaches whose programs have received the highest APRs. Additionally, coaches must have led their current programs for at least two years.”
Day, who will begin his sixth season as Ohio State’s head coach, has spent the previous four offseasons on the Dodd Trophy preseason watch list. Three other Big Ten coaches are with him: Lincoln Riley of USC, Kirk Ferentz of Iowa, and James Franklin of Penn State.
Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame, Josh Heupel of Tennessee, Brian Kelly of LSU, Lane Kiffin of Ole Miss, Mike Norvell of Florida State, Steve Sarkisian of Texas, Kirby Smart of Georgia, and Dab Swinney of Clemson are some more well-known players.
The other players on this year’s watch list are Jeff Brohm of Lousivlle, Mario Cristobal of Miami, Dave Doeren of NC State, Eli Drinkwitz of Missouri, Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State, Chris Klieman of Kansas State, Lance Leipold of Kansas, Brent Pry of Virginia Tech, and Kyle Whittingham of Utah.
Peach Bowl CEO & president Gary Stokan stated in the release, “Even as our sport continuously evolves, these 21 coaches have continuously exemplified what The Dodd Trophy stands for in their relentless commitment to scholarship, leadership, and integrity.”
“We’re looking forward to kicking off the new era of college football this season with the expanded College Football Playoff, and look forward to seeing how these coaches continue to set the standard on the field, in the classroom and in their communities.”
The Graduation Success Rate (GSR), which measures each program’s dedication to community service and charitable giving, Academic Progress Rate (APR), expected success for the 2024 season, and graduation rate were all considered during the selection process for the Dodd Trophy preseason watch list.
For the coach’s program to be considered for the preseason watch list, the APR must to be more than 980. With an APR of 1,000, Ohio State has the highest among the universities on the Dodd Trophy watch list, tied with four other universities.
This fall, a midseason Dodd Trophy watch list will be made public. A panel of past winners, members of the Dodd family, national media, and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame will select the final five candidates at the conclusion of the college football regular season. Atlanta will host the announcement of the 2024 Dodd Trophy winner during Peach Bowl week.