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Steve Sarkisian headlines list of names nominated for elite 2025 coaching award

The 2025 Dodd Trophy watchlist has officially been released, and the Texas Longhorns head coach is one of 26 names on the preseason ballot.
ByMatthew Wilson|
Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian speaks during the Coaches' Press Conference at AT&T Stadium, Jan. 9, 2024. Both coaches answered questions from the media during the conference, and will face each other in the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semi-final game on Friday.
Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian speaks during the Coaches' Press Conference at AT&T Stadium, Jan. 9, 2024. Both coaches answered questions from the media during the conference, and will face each other in the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semi-final game on Friday. | Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 2025 Dodd Trophy watchlist was officially released today, and Steve Sarkisian's name was front and center. The award is presented by PNC Bank and the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation, as well as the Peach Bowl, Inc.

The award is presented annually to the Division 1 FBS head coach who excels on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. These are the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's coaching philosophy. Sarkisian was on the watch lists last season as well, both in the preseason and midseason.

Sarkisian's team won 25 combined games between 2023 and 2024, which are the most wins in a two-year span at Texas in 17 years. He's produced multiple All-American, All-Conference, All-Academic, and NFL players since arriving in Austin in 2021 and continues to coach and recruit at an incredibly high level.

"Sark" also led the Longhorns to a No.1 ranking multiple times in 2024, which was also the first time that Texas has done that since 2008.

Having been on the watchlist multiple times in both the preseason and midseason over the past two years, it's safe to say that Sarkisian is no stranger to the voting committee. The panel consists of previous winners, media members, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, and a Dodd family member. The group will determine who'll be on the final list to close out the 2025 season.

The award itself will be presented at some point during the week of the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal game in Atlanta.

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