UGA football head coach Kirby Smart has been named to the 2024 Dodd Trophy Watch List, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. have announced.
The Dodd Trophy is awarded to 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 his six seasons as head coach of the Bulldogs, Kirby Smart has an overall record of 94-16 and two College Football National Championship victories.
“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,” said Jim Terry, chairman of the Boddy Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. “This award is about more than just wins on the gridiron, but also focuses on how these coaches embody leadership with their student-athletes in the classroom and throughout their communities. As a result, we only consider coaches whose programs have earned the highest APRs and require coaches to have at least two years of experience leading their current programs, so that they have had time to establish a precedent at their universities.”
2024 Dodd Trophy Watch List
| Coach | School | Conference |
| Jeff Brohm | Louisville | ACC |
| Mario Cristobal | Miami (FL) | ACC |
| Ryan Day | Ohio State | Big Ten |
| Dave Doeren | NC State | ACC |
| Eliah Drinkwitz | Mizzou | SEC |
| Kirk Ferentz | Iowa | Big Ten |
| James Franklin | Penn State | Big Ten |
| Marcus Freeman | Notre Dame | Independent |
| Mike Gundy | Oklahoma State | Big 12 |
| Josh Heupel | Tennessee | SEC |
| Brian Kelly | LSU | SEC |
| Lane Kiffin | Ole Miss | SEC |
| Chris Klieman | Kansas State | Big 12 |
| Lance Leipold | Kansas | Big 12 |
| Mike Norvell | Florida State | ACC |
| Brent Pry | Virginia Tech | ACC |
| Lincoln Riley | USC | Big Ten |
| Steve Sarkisian | Texas | SEC |
| Kirby Smart | Georgia | SEC |
| Dabo Swinney | Clemson | ACC |
| Kyle Whittingham | Utah | Big 12 |
“Even as our sport constantly evolves, these 21 coaches have continuously exemplified what The Dodd Trophy stands for in their relentless commitment to scholarship, leadership and integrity,” said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO & President Gary Stokan. “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.”
A midseason watch list will be revealed this fall, which could either narrow or expand the field of candidates.
The Georgia Bulldogs are set to open the 2024 season against the Clemson Tigers in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday, Aug. 31. The game will be televised live by ABC at noon ET (Buy Tickets).