Bret Bielema Douglas C. and Linda M. Mills Endowed Head Football Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Bret Bielema Douglas C. and Linda M. Mills Endowed Head Football Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Illinois head football coach Bret Bielema has been named to the midseason watch list for the 2025 Dodd Coach of the Year award. The announcement was made by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc.
Bielema, who was also recently included on the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year watch list, has guided Illinois to a 5-2 record this season. The team is currently ranked 23rd nationally. According to ESPN, Illinois has faced the sixth toughest schedule in college football, and their strength of record ranks 13th in the nation. A highlight of their season so far includes a win over USC, which was ranked in the top 25 at the time.
The Dodd Trophy recognizes college football coaches who achieve success on the field while also emphasizing academic achievement, leadership, and integrity. This year marks the award's 50th anniversary. It is managed by Peach Bowl, Inc. and presented by PNC Bank.
Selection for the watch list took into account several factors such as graduation rates, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), community service efforts, on-field performance during the current season, and Academic Progress Rate (APR). A panel made up of former winners, national media members, a representative from the Dodd family, and a College Football Hall of Fame member will choose finalists at season’s end.
The winner will be announced in Atlanta during College Football Playoff Semifinal week at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
This year's watch list features 24 coaches from all Power Four conferences as well as representatives from AAC schools and an independent program. The full list includes Bielema along with Jeff Brohm (Louisville), Curt Cignetti (Indiana), Mario Cristobal (Miami), Ryan Day (Ohio State), Kalen DeBoer (Alabama), Kenny Dillingham (Arizona State), Eliah Drinkwitz (Missouri), Mike Elko (Texas A&M), Tony Elliott (Virginia), Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame), Alex Golesh (USF), Josh Heupel (Tennessee), Brian Kelly (LSU), Brent Key (Georgia Tech), Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss), Dan Lanning (Oregon), Clark Lea (Vanderbilt), Joey McGuire (Texas Tech), Steve Sarkisian (Texas), Scott Satterfield (Cincinnati), Kalani Sitake (BYU), Kirby Smart (Georgia) and Brent Venables (Oklahoma).
According to organizers: "The Dodd Trophy...celebrates the head coach of a team that 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."
A final decision will be made after further evaluation throughout the remainder of this season.
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