The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Sarkisian named to Dodd Trophy midseason watch list
10.19.2023 | Football
Steve Sarkisian on the watch list for coveted Coach of the Year honors.
ATLANTA – Texas Football head coach Steve Sarkisian was named to the Dodd Trophy midseason watch list, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. announced on Thursday. The Dodd Trophy celebrates the head coach of a team that enjoys success on the field, while also stressing the importance of academic excellence and character.
Sarkisian has guided the No. 8/8 Longhorns to a 5-1 record and 2-1 mark in the Big 12 Conference. Texas has been ranked in the Associated Press Top-10 in each of the last six polls, the longest single-season stretch for the Longhorns since 2009.
Texas ranks 13th nationally in total offense (486.5 ypg), with 185.8 rushing (32nd) and 300.7 passing (21st), while scoring 35 points per game (26th). The offense is led by sophomore running back Jonathon Brooks, who leads Power 5 running backs and ranks fourth nationally averaging 121.0 rushing yards per game and ranks sixth in the FBS in all-purpose yards (141.17 ypg) and ninth in rushing yards (726), while sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers ranks among the nation's leaders in completion percentage (15th – 69.6%), passing efficiency (16th – 163.8), passing yards per game (18th – 284.0) and passing yards (26th – 1,704).
Defensively, senior linebacker Jaylan Ford paces UT with a team-leading 40 tackles (18 solo) and five tackles for loss with two interceptions, while Jahdae Barron leads the defensive backfield with 32 tackles (17 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception and one fumble recovery. The Longhorns are 25th in the nation in total defense (323.3 ypg) including just 112.3 rushing (27th) while allowing only 16.3 points per game (16th). Texas leads the Big 12 Conference and is eighth nationally in third down conversion percentage allowed (28.4%) and ranks 18th in fourth down conversions allowed (33.3%). The Longhorns have yielded a Big 12-leading 101 first downs, 14th-fewest in the nation.
Sarkisian earned Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week honors following UT's week two victory at No. 3 Alabama after guiding the Longhorns to a 34-24 win in Tuscaloosa, snapping the Crimson Tide's 21-game home winning streak. The Longhorns' win halted Alabama's 57-game regular-season winning streak against nonconference teams, while the double-digit margin of victory was the first at home for the Crimson Tide during the Nick Saban era.
On Tuesday, Sarkisian was named to the Bryant Award watch list, given each January to a college football coach for contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life – both on and off the field.
The Dodd Trophy watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., taking into consideration each program's graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, on-field success thus far for the 2023 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR).
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 of the 2023 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, which will be played on December 30, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
