Lane Kiffin on Dodd Trophy preseason watch list – The Local Voice

The trophy recognizes football coaches whose programs represent the highest ideals on and off the field

Ole Miss Football Head Coach Lane Kiffin was nominated as one of 21 head coaches for the 2024 election Dodd Trophy Preseason Watchlistas the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and the Peach Bowl announced Monday afternoon.

managed by Peach Bowl, Inc. and presented by PNC Bank, The Dodd Trophythe most coveted national coaching award in college football, recognizes the head coach of a team that has achieved success on the field while emphasizing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of the legendary coach Bobby Dodds Coaching philosophy.

The watch list was created through a selection process of Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., taking into account each program’s Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to community service and philanthropy, and projected success for the 2024 season.

First-year coaches with their current teams were not included because they are not eligible to receive the Dodd Trophy until their second year with their program. The 21 coaches have combined for four national championships, 39 FBS conference titles and 2,135 victories over the course of their careers.

Kiffin – in his fifth season at the helm of the Rebels – has led Ole Miss to four consecutive bowl appearances since moving to Oxford in 2020, including two appearances in the New Year’s Six. In his 11 years as an FBS head coach, Kiffin has a career record of 95-49, including a 34-15 record at Ole Miss.

Kiffin led the 2023 Rebels to the best season in Ole Miss history in terms of number of wins, posting an overall record of 11-2, capped by a 38-25 record. Peach peel victory over Penn State. Kiffin owns the only two 10-win regular seasons in Ole Miss history, and alongside the legendary coach John Vaughtis one of two Rebel coaches with multiple 10-win seasons.

Ole Miss thrived in 2023 with a balanced offense, finishing in the top 15 of the final FBS rankings in yards per completion (10th, 14.5), passing efficiency (12th, 162.9) and total offense (13th, 461.9), while also leading the nation in fewest turnovers (7) and leading the SEC and ranking fifth nationally in turnover margin (+11).

A midseason watch list will be released in the fall to expand or shrink the field. A panel of past winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame will compile the final list of potential recipients at the end of the 2024 season. The winner of the 2024 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta.

From September onwards, the Dodd Award as Coach of the Week In addition, coaches are honored whose programs embody the three pillars of the award – scholarship, leadership and integrity – and who have also been successful on the field during the previous week.

2024 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watchlist

Jeff Brohm – Louisville

Mario Cristobal – Miami (FL)

Ryan Day – Ohio State

Dave Doeren – NC State

Eliah Drinkwitz – Missouri

Kirk Ferentz – Iowa

James Franklin – Penn State

Marcus Freeman – Notre Dame

Mike Gundy – Oklahoma State

Josh Heupel – Tennessee

Brian Kelly – LSU

Lane Kiffin – Ole Miss

Chris Klieman – Kansas State

Lance Leipold – Kansas

Mike Norvell – Florida State

Brent Pry – Virginia Tech

Lincoln Riley – USC

Steve Sarkisian – Texas

Kirby Smart – Georgia

Dabo Swinney – Clemson

Kyle Whittingham – Utah