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Alabama's Kalen DeBoer named to Dodd Trophy preseason watch list

1918632_10206777287683070_1367905321192383146_nby: Charlie Potter07/07/25Charlie_Potter
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer (Will McLelland / USA TODAY Sports)

The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. released the preseason watch list for the 2025 Dodd Trophy, and Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer made the list.

Entering his second season as the head football coach in Tuscaloosa, DeBoer was one of 26 coaches recognized by the Dodd Trophy before the start of the 2025 college football season.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Dodd Trophy celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the field, while also stressing Bobby Dodd’s coaching philosophies – “the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.” The watch list was created by taking into consideration each program’s Academic Progress Rate, Graduation Success Rate, commitment to service and charity in the community, as well as projected success for the 2025 season.

“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 Jim Terry, Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. “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.”

Coaches in the first year with their current teams were not included, as they are ineligible to receive the Dodd Trophy until their second year with their program. Head coaches named to this year’s watch list were also required to have an APR above the national average (969).

The SEC leads all conferences with eight coaches named to the Dodd Trophy’s preseason watch list, followed by the Big Ten and Big 12, which each have five coaches represented. 

A midseason watch list – adding to or narrowing the field – will be released in the fall. The winner will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl semifinal.

2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List

CoachSchoolConferenceAPR (2023-24)
Bret BielemaIllinoisBig Ten980
Jeff BrohmLouisvilleACC989
Curt CignettiIndianaBig Ten982
Mario CristobalMiami (FL)ACC987
Matt CampbellIowa StateBig 121000
Spencer DanielsonBoise StateMountain West994
Ryan DayOhio StateBig Ten1000
Kalen DeBoerAlabamaSEC1000
Kenny DillinghamArizona StateBig 12983
Eliah DrinkwitzMizzouSEC993
Mike ElkoTexas A&MSEC974
James FranklinPenn StateBig Ten976
Marcus FreemanNotre DameIndependent987
Josh HeupelTennesseeSEC982
Brian KellyLSUSEC1000
Brent KeyGeorgia TechACC991
Chris KliemanKansas StateBig 12997
Dan LanningOregonBig Ten981
Joey McGuireTexas TechBig 12997
Jeff MonkenArmyAAC980
Steve SarkisianTexasSEC991
Ryan SilverfieldMemphisAAC973
Kalani SitakeBYUBig 12978
Kirby SmartGeorgiaSEC1000
Dabo SwinneyClemsonACC1000
Brent VenablesOklahomaSEC993

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