The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Sarkisian named to Dodd Trophy preseason watch list
07.08.2024 | Football
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football head coach Steve Sarkisian was named to the preseason watch list for the Dodd Trophy, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., announced Monday. 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.
This past season, Sarkisian was named a finalist for the Bear Bryant, George Munger and Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year awards after leading the Longhorns to their first Big 12 Championship since 2009, winning 12 games for the first time since that season and reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. The 12 wins marked just the fourth time in school history that the Longhorns had 12 or more victories in a season. He was also tabbed the Big 12 Coach of the Year by The Associated Press. Texas earned a No. 3 final ranking in The Associated Press Poll, its highest finish in 15 years since earning the No. 2 spot in 2009.
The Longhorns were one of only five Power-5 programs that ranked among the top 15 in scoring offense (35.8 ppg) and scoring defense (18.9 ppg), finishing 15th nationally in both. Sarkisian's versatile and balanced squad ranked ninth nationally in total offense (477.5 ypg), led the Big 12 in total defense (336.7 ypg/34th FBS) and was bolstered by one of the nation's top special team's units. Led by Outland Trophy winner and unanimous first-team All-American defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat, Texas ranked third nationally in rushing defense (82.4 ypg). The Longhorns' ground game, which was led by Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award finalist Jonathon Brooks' 1,139 yards in 11 games, and three total backs with 100-yard rushing games, ranked 24th in the FBS (188.4 ypg). Texas averaged 289.1 yards per game passing (17th/FBS).
Seven Longhorns earned first-team All-Big 12 honors with Sweat voted the league's defensive player of the year, defensive tackle Byron Murphy II selected defensive lineman of the year, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell chosen offensive newcomer of the year, and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. tabbed defensive freshman of the year. The Longhorns had 11 players invited to the NFL Combine in February 2024, the most ever in program history.
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 Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, as well as projected success for the 2024 season.
A midseason watch list – adding to or narrowing the field – will be released in the fall. 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 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Starting in September on a weekly basis, the Dodd Coach of the Week Award will also honor coaches whose program embodies the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity, while also having success on the playing field during the previous week.
