Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Dodd Trophy.

The Dodd Trophy is awarded annually to the coach who most “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.”

Given out by The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc, the list included 20 names from conference throughout the nation including six from the SEC. For the preseason list, factors like Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, as well as projected success for the season are all included.

“For more than five decades, The Dodd Trophy has established itself as the most coveted head coaching award in college football because it represents more than just wins on the field,” said Chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation Jim Terry.

“Equally as important, we also focus on a coach’s impact on developing student-athletes in the classroom and within their communities. As a result, consideration is limited to coaches who have set a standard of academic excellence and have spent at least two seasons leading their current programs, allowing them time to build a culture of success on and off the field.”

Among the SEC coaches, only DeBoer and Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko had a perfect APR of 1,000.

Also joining them on the list were Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables.

Last year, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti won the award. This year, he also appears on the preseason watch list, along with Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and Miami head coach Mario Cristobal.

There will be an updated midseason watch list and the winner of the 2026 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.