Josh Heupel makes 2024 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List

Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel was named on the preseason watch list for the 2024 Bobby Dodd Trophy, a yearly award dedicated to celebrating head coaches who have success on the field while prioritizing scholarship, integrity, and leadership in their programs. 

Every year, Peach Bowl Inc., which manages the trophy, completes a selection process to determine contenders for the award. The process considers the Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), community commitment to service and charity, and projected success for the 2024 season. 

"The Dodd Trophy continues to be the most coveted coach of the year award due to what we call the 'Dodd Difference,' where coaches are held to a higher standard, both on and off the field," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Boddy Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. 

"This award is about more than just wins on the gridiron, but also focuses on how these coaches embody leadership with their student-athletes in the classroom and throughout their communities."

Heupel joins five other SEC coaches on the preseason list. Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz, LSU's Brian Kelly, Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin, Texas' Steve Sarkisian, and Georgia's Kirby Smart are also on the preseason watch list. 

Heupel has completely changed the outlook of Tennessee football after inheriting the program at one of its lowest points ever. Tennessee wasn't winning on the recruiting trail, on campus, or on the field, but all of that has changed under Heupel's leadership. 

Tennessee has won 20 games over the past two seasons, the Vols are recruiting at a high level, and they are seeing success in the classroom, locker room, and everywhere in between. 

The Tennessee football team, program, and brand have improved 1,000 times since Heupel took over as head coach, and things can only get better from here. 

The 2024 college football season is less than two months from kicking off in late August. Tennessee will open the season on August 31 at Neyland Stadium against Chattanooga at 12:45 PM ET.