Ohio State head coach Ryan Day makes notable preseason watch list

We’re not quite in the deep weeds with the college football awards watch lists (that’s coming in earnest), but we did get one dropped today, with the Dodd Trophy 2026 preseason watch list. The award is named after former coach Bobby Dodd and is handed out annually to the coach considered the best in college football, and Ryan Day was among the 20 names announced on Thursday.

The Dodd Trophy has been around since 1976 and is handed out by the Peach Bowl, Inc. and “celebrates 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.”

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Important to note that coaches in their first year with a team are ineligible to win the award, as are coaches who lead a team with less than a 971 APR average.

“The Dodd Trophy has long recognized the qualities that define exceptional leadership in college football through its three guiding pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity,” said Peach Bowl, Inc. President and CEO David Epps in a release. “Those three principles are at the heart of this award, and we look forward to following this outstanding group of coaches as they compete and lead their programs throughout the upcoming season.”