Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops has been named to the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List.
The Dodd Trophy is considered college football’s most coveted coaching award.
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LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops is one of 16 head coaches named to the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List, it was announced today by officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc.
The Dodd Trophy, college football’s most coveted coaching award, 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 philosophy.
The midseason 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 current performance during the 2021 season, Academic Progress Rate (APR), and each coach’s commitment to service and charity in the community.
Stoops has done a remarkable job in his ninth season at Kentucky, starting the season at 6-0 for the first time since 1950 and leading the Wildcats to top-15 national ranking.
After two games of the 2016 season, his record was 12-26 but he has gone 43-25 (.632) since. Overall, Stoops is now 55-51 at Kentucky and is nearing Paul “Bear” Bryant’s school-record 60 victories.
Stoops currently holds school records for most home wins (40), total SEC wins (28) and total games coached at UK (106).
Off the field, Stoops is a staunch supporter of the Kentucky Children’s Hospital, helping raise more than $500,000 annually for the kids.
Kentucky’s football team has fared well academically under Stoops, as each year UK’s football score in the NCAA Academic Progress Rate has been well above the benchmark of 930.
The 2021 Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List presented by PNC:
“The Dodd Trophy is truly different from other coach of the year awards, and this list really highlights the level of excellence that it takes to be considered for it,” said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO & president. “We are excited to see what the rest of the season brings and which of these elite coaches will emerge during the final stretch of the season.”
A panel consisting of all previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify a list of finalists at the conclusion of the 2021 season. The winner of the 2021 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during bowl week at this year’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
