Kirby Smart named to 2025 Dodd Trophy Watch List

Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart has been named to the 2025 Dodd Trophy Watch List, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., announced Monday.

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 nine seasons as head coach of the Bulldogs, Kirby Smart has an overall record of 105-19 and two College Football National Championship victories.

“As we enter our 50th anniversary season, we’re looking for exceptional candidates to join the storied fraternity of coaching greats who have previously won The Dodd Trophy,” said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry. “Over the last half century, this award has always stood for more than just wins on the field, but also focuses on how coaches should embody leadership with their student-athletes in the classroom and throughout their communities. Keeping this in mind, 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, both on and off the field.”

2025 Dodd Trophy Watch List

“For 50 years now, The Dodd Trophy has set the standard for collegiate head coaching awards through its continued emphasis on scholarship, leadership and integrity,” said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President Gary Stokan. “Although our sport has continuously evolved over the years, these three pillars have stood the test of time and continue to be hallmarks of what make a coach successful on and off the field. We’re looking forward to kicking off another season and seeing how things unfold for all 26 of these coaches throughout the year.”

“PNC is proud to join the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. in presenting this prestigious award during its 50th anniversary season,” said Samantha Jones, PNC regional president for Georgia. “We look forward to following this elite group of collegiate coaches throughout the year, as their leadership is tested both on and off the field.”

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 2025 season at home against the Marshall Thundering Herd on Saturday, Aug. 30. The game will be televised live by ESPN at 3:30pm ET (Buy Tickets).

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