ATLANTA, Ga. – Coastal Carolina football head coach
Jamey Chadwell has been named to the 2021 Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List, officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. announced this week. The list includes 16 of the nation's top college football coaches representing seven conferences and Notre Dame.
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.
Chadwell has led the Chanticleers to a 6-1 start this season and has had the Chanticleers ranked as high as No. 14 nationally in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 Poll and No. 15 in the USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll.
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.
The 2021 Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List presented by PNC:
| Coach: |
School: |
Current Record |
| Jamey Chadwell |
Coastal Carolina (Sun Belt) |
6-1 |
| Dave Clawson |
Wake Forest (ACC) |
6-0 |
| Mario Cristobal |
Oregon (Pac-12) |
5-1 |
| Ryan Day |
Ohio State (Big Ten) |
5-1 |
| Dave Doeren |
NC State (ACC) |
5-1 |
| Kirk Ferentz |
Iowa (Big Ten) |
6-1 |
| Luke Fickell |
Cincinnati (American) |
6-0 |
| Jimbo Fisher |
Texas A&M (SEC) |
5-2 |
| James Franklin |
Penn State (Big Ten) |
5-1 |
| Jim Harbaugh |
Michigan (Big Ten) |
6-0 |
| Brian Kelly |
Notre Dame (Independent) |
5-1 |
| Lincoln Riley |
Oklahoma (Big 12) |
7-0 |
| Nick Saban |
Alabama (SEC) |
6-1 |
| Kirby Smart |
Georgia (SEC) |
7-0 |
| Mark Stoops |
Kentucky (SEC) |
6-1 |
| Mel Tucker |
Michigan State (Big Ten) |
7-0 |
Of the 16 coaches on the midseason watch list, the Big Ten leads the way with five selections, followed by the SEC with four representatives and the ACC with two. The American, Big 12, Pac-12, and Sun Belt each have one coach named to the list. A total of six coaches on the list remain undefeated going into the eighth week of the season.
This year's midseason watch list includes three former winners of The Dodd Trophy with Brian Kelly (2018), Kirk Ferentz (2015), and Nick Saban (2014) being recognized. Additionally, two of the coaches were finalists for last year's award, including Kelly and Luke Fickell.
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.
For complete coverage of CCU football, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalFootball (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUsports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUsports.com.
