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Elko Named to Bobby Dodd Midseason Watch List
10/19/2023 2:30:00 PM | Football
ATLANTA – Duke head coach Mike Elko was named to the midseason watch list for the 2023 Dodd Trophy, according to an announcement Thursday by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc.
This year's list includes 20 of the nation's top college football coaches representing all Power Five conferences, as well as the AAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt and an independent.
The Dodd Trophy is college football's most coveted national coaching award, celebrating 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. 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 graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, on-field success thus far for the 2023 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR).
Elko has guided the Blue Devils to a 5-1 overall record and 2-0 start to ACC play. Duke is ranked No. 16 in this week's Associated Press poll and No. 17 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
"Coaches named to The Dodd Trophy watch list have proven to hold themselves and their teams to a higher standard of excellence beyond just their success on the field, but also to their involvement in the community and their student-athletes' achievements in the classroom," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Boddy Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "This is why we only consider coaches who have had time to establish a precedent, both on and off the field, with an APR limit and at least two years of experience with their program."
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 2023 season. The winner of the 2023 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
The 2023 Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List
Coach - School - AP Ranking
Mack Brown - North Carolina (ACC) - No. 10
Troy Calhoun - Air Force (Mountain West) - No. 22
Curt Cignetti - James Madison (Sun Belt) - N/A
Ryan Day - Ohio State (Big Ten) - No. 3
Kalen DeBoer – Washington (Pac-12) - No. 5
Eliah Drinkwitz - Mizzou (SEC) - No. 20
Mike Elko – Duke (ACC) - No. 16
Kirk Ferentz – Iowa (Big Ten) - No. 24
Marcus Freeman - Notre Dame (Independent) - No. 15
Willie Fritz – Tulane (AAC) - No. 23
Jim Harbaugh – Michigan (Big Ten) - No. 2
Lane Kiffin - Ole Miss (SEC) - No. 13
Mike Norvell - Florida State (ACC) - No. 4
Lincoln Riley – USC (Pac-12) - No. 18
Nick Saban – Alabama (SEC) - No. 11
Steve Sarkisian – Texas (Big 12) - No. 8
Kirby Smart – Georgia (SEC) - No. 1
Jonathan Smith - Oregon State (Pac-12) - No. 12
Brent Venables – Oklahoma (Big 12) - No. 6
Kyle Whittingham – Utah (Pac-12) - No. 14
#GoDuke
This year's list includes 20 of the nation's top college football coaches representing all Power Five conferences, as well as the AAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt and an independent.
The Dodd Trophy is college football's most coveted national coaching award, celebrating 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. 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 graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, on-field success thus far for the 2023 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR).
Elko has guided the Blue Devils to a 5-1 overall record and 2-0 start to ACC play. Duke is ranked No. 16 in this week's Associated Press poll and No. 17 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
"Coaches named to The Dodd Trophy watch list have proven to hold themselves and their teams to a higher standard of excellence beyond just their success on the field, but also to their involvement in the community and their student-athletes' achievements in the classroom," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Boddy Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "This is why we only consider coaches who have had time to establish a precedent, both on and off the field, with an APR limit and at least two years of experience with their program."
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 2023 season. The winner of the 2023 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
The 2023 Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List
Coach - School - AP Ranking
Mack Brown - North Carolina (ACC) - No. 10
Troy Calhoun - Air Force (Mountain West) - No. 22
Curt Cignetti - James Madison (Sun Belt) - N/A
Ryan Day - Ohio State (Big Ten) - No. 3
Kalen DeBoer – Washington (Pac-12) - No. 5
Eliah Drinkwitz - Mizzou (SEC) - No. 20
Mike Elko – Duke (ACC) - No. 16
Kirk Ferentz – Iowa (Big Ten) - No. 24
Marcus Freeman - Notre Dame (Independent) - No. 15
Willie Fritz – Tulane (AAC) - No. 23
Jim Harbaugh – Michigan (Big Ten) - No. 2
Lane Kiffin - Ole Miss (SEC) - No. 13
Mike Norvell - Florida State (ACC) - No. 4
Lincoln Riley – USC (Pac-12) - No. 18
Nick Saban – Alabama (SEC) - No. 11
Steve Sarkisian – Texas (Big 12) - No. 8
Kirby Smart – Georgia (SEC) - No. 1
Jonathan Smith - Oregon State (Pac-12) - No. 12
Brent Venables – Oklahoma (Big 12) - No. 6
Kyle Whittingham – Utah (Pac-12) - No. 14
#GoDuke
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