The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 7/6 Football’s Sarkisian named to Dodd Trophy midseason watch list
10.13.2026 | Football
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.
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 7/6 Texas Football head coach Steve Sarkisian was named to the midseason watch list for the 2026 Dodd Trophy, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., announced Tuesday. 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.
Sarkisian was recognized on the preseason watch list for the 2026 Dodd Trophy. It's the fourth time Sarkisian has earned a spot on the award's midseason watch list while at Texas.
Sarkisian and the Longhorns are 4-1 on the season with two AP Top 15 victories over No. 1/1 Ohio State and No. 14/13 Tennessee. Texas has remained in the AP Top 10 for seven-consecutive weeks this season, including holding the No. 1 overall ranking for four-straight weeks from Week 3 to Week 6, which was the Longhorns' longest stint atop the polls since 1977 (five weeks). Texas, along with Ole Miss and Kentucky, lead the FBS with two ranked wins on the season.
Texas currently boasts a 12-game win streak at home, which ties for the fourth-longest active streak in the FBS. The Horns have won four-consecutive home contests against ranked opponents, dating back to last season, which ties for the second-longest active streak in the FBS. Texas has forced a turnover in 26-straight home games, the longest active streak in the FBS. During this stretch, the Longhorns have converted those takeaways (49 total) into 200 points. It's also the longest streak by Texas over the last 30 seasons (since 1996). Texas has five road wins against ranked opponents since 2023, tied for the most in the FBS over that span with Alabama and Ohio State. The Longhorns have won their last eight games against opponents ranked 11-25 in the AP Poll, which is the longest active streak in the FBS. It's also Texas' longest streak since a 12-game run between 2004-09. Texas' 14-5 overall record in the SEC since the start of the 2024 season ties for the second-best mark by a league member during that span.
The Longhorns recorded at least 25 first downs in their first three games this season under Sarkisian. The only other time in the last 30 years that Texas has done that in its first three games of a season was in 2008 when the Horns accomplished that feat in each of its first five games. Texas has run the ball for over 100 yards in four of five games this season, including a season-high 231 yards against UTSA on Sept. 19.
Senior QB Arch Manning has completed 92-of-146 passes for 1,122 yards and 10 touchdowns. The New Orleans native has thrown for over 200 yards in three games this season, including a season-high 305-yard effort in the season opener vs. Texas State on Sept. 5. Junior WR Cam Coleman leads UT with 17 receptions for 318 yards (18.7 ypc) and five touchdowns, averaging 63.3 yards per game. Coleman ranks second in the SEC and 15th nationally in receiving touchdowns with five, while Coleman also leads the SEC and sits 26th in the FBS in yards per reception, averaging 18.71 yards per catch.
Defensively, the Longhorns lead the SEC and rank ninth in the FBS in team tackles for loss (8.0). Texas ranks third in the SEC in passing yards allowed (168.4 avg), red zone defense (0.750), scoring defense (16.0), team passing efficiency defense (111.50), team sacks (3.60) and total defense (264.4). Junior EDGE Colin Simmons leads the nation in sacks (9.5), sacks per game (1.9), tackles for loss (12.0) and tackles for loss per game (2.4). Simmons also leads the SEC and ranks 11th in the FBS in forced fumbles with two.
Sarkisian and the Longhorns return to DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium to host Florida at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Oct. 17, on ABC.
