The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 1/1 Football’s Sarkisian named to Dodd Trophy Midseason watch list
10.17.2024 | Football
The Texas head coach was honored on the 2024 Dodd Trophy Midseason watch list, which recognizes 20 of the nation’s top college football coaches representing all Power Four conferences, as well as the AAC and an independent.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas football head coach Steve Sarkisian was recognized on midseason watch list for the 2024 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., announced Thursday. The Dodd Trophy celebrates 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 coaching philosophy.
In addition to being named to the midseason watch list for the Dodd Trophy, Sarkisian was also honored on the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year watch list earlier this week.
Sarkisian and the No.-1 ranked Longhorns are off to a 6-0 start for the first time since 2009. On Sept. 15, UT moved to No. 1 in the AP Poll for the first time since Oct. 26, 2008. Texas has been unanimous No. 1 in both the AP Poll and AFCA Coaches Poll for the past two weeks and held the top spot in at least one of the two major polls for five-straight weeks. That is the Horns' longest streak at No. 1 since 1977 when they topped both polls for six consecutive weeks. The current Top-5 streak of 10 weeks in a row is the most since the Longhorns were ranked in the Top 5 of one of the polls for 32 weeks in a row from 2007-10 (30-straight in the AP Top 5). The Horns have earned a Top-10 ranking for 22 weeks in a row.
Through six games this season, the Texas offense under Sarkisian is averaging 495.7 yards per game and 7.2 yards per play. The yards per game is tracking close to the UT single-season record set in 2005 (512.1) The yards per play would be on pace to be second behind only the 1993 team (7.44). Last season's offense finished third (477.5) and fourth (6.67) in those categories, respectively. The current 306.67 passing yards per game is also inching close to a UT single-season record, held by the 2008 team (308.3).
Under Sarkisian, Texas' point differential (+221) through six games is its best since 1915 (+288). The Longhorns' 259 points through six games are the most since 2005 (274) while they've started 5-0 in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2008-09 and for just the second time in 50+ years.
Under Sarkisian's tutelage, Texas' defense this season has also been stellar and leads the nation in several categories. After holding No. 18/16 Oklahoma to just three points this past Saturday, the Longhorns have allowed just 38 points through six games this season, the fewest since 1964 (30), an average of 6.3 points per game, which leads the nation. UT leads the nation in total defense (229.7 ypg), ranks second in passing efficiency defense (91.40), second in red zone defense (0.571), second in passing yards allowed (126.0 ypg), fifth in first down defense (82) and seventh in third-down conversion percentage (.276). Through four home games on the Forty Acres this season, the Longhorns have allowed just 23 points, the fewest points allowed in the first four home games in a season since 1977 when the team gave up just 15 points.
Since the start of the 2023 season, UT is 18-2 (0.900) with the only two losses against AP top-12 ranked foes.
In just one season as a member of the SEC, Texas is the first conference team in history to score 250+ points and allow fewer than 40 through the first six games of a season.
One of the nation's premier coaches who has steadfastly returned the Texas football program back to prominence, Sarkisian is in his 24th year of coaching and 11th as a head coach. In year four at Texas, his Longhorn rebuild has been a patient and deliberate one. The Longhorns finished 5-7 in 2021, improved to 8-5 with an Alamo Bowl bid in 2022, before turning in a historic season in 2023 with a 12-2 record, Big 12 Championship, No. 3 final ranking and College Football Playoff semifinal appearance. Sarkisian has also turned in top-5 recruiting classes the past three years. Sarkisian sports a 31-14 record in four seasons at Texas and a 78-49 mark in 11 seasons as a head coach, with eight of his teams earning bowl bids.
Sarkisian is one of 20 coaches included in this year's watch list. The 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 2024 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 2024 season. The winner of the 2024 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Sarkisian and Texas face No. 5/4 Georgia at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 19, inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will broadcast on ABC with Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline) and Katie George (sideline) on the call. ESPN's College GameDay will be on the University of Texas campus for the 10th time on Saturday. The show will air for three hours from 8 to 11 a.m. CT, hosted by Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso and other ESPN personalities.