Sitake named to Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List

ATLANTA (July 12, 2022) — BYU head football coach Kalani Sitake was named Tuesday to the preseason watch list for the 2022 Dodd Trophy presented by PNC and the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. 

The 2022 watch list includes 20 of the nation’s top college football coaches representing all Power Five conferences, as well as the AAC and independent BYU. The collective group has won 12 National Championships, 39 FBS conference titles and secured 1,882 career wins throughout their careers.

Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy 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 coaching philosophy.

The 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 graduation rate, commitment to service and charity in the community, projected success for the 2022 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR).

Over the past two seasons, Sitake has guided BYU to a record of 21-4 and back-to-back top 20 national finishes. Since taking over the BYU football program in 2016, Sitake has compiled an overall record of 48-29 and has led the Cougars to five bowl game appearances.

He was a finalist for the 2021 Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award and a semifinalist for the George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award for the second consecutive year after leading BYU to 10-3 record, including a 6-1 mark against Power 5 teams, and a No. 19 final ranking, the program's first back-to-back top-20 rankings since 2006 and 2007. 

In 2020, Sitake was a candidate for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year, the George Munger Coach of the Year and the Bear Bryant Award after leading BYU to 11-1 record and No. 11 final ranking, the program's highest final ranking since 1996. 

With an 11-1 record in 2020, BYU achieved only the sixth one-loss or undefeated football season in school history and the first since 1996 when quarterback Steve Sarkisian led BYU to a 14-1 record and No. 5 final ranking after winning the Cotton Bowl.

“College football has seen many changes in recent years, but all of these coaches have held true to our award’s three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity,” said Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation.”

A midseason watch list—adding to or narrowing the field—will be released in the fall. A panel consisting of previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2022 season. The winner of the 2022 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

“Never has strong leadership been more imperative than it is now in our sport,” said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO & President Gary Stokan. “Each of these coaches have continued to find success and navigate an ever-evolving college football landscape to lead their student athletes to new heights both on the football field and in the classroom.”

Starting in September, the Dodd Coach of the Week Award will also honor coaches on a weekly basis whose program embodies the award’s three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity, while also having success on the playing field during the previous week.

Coaches on the 2022 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year watch list are listed below in alphabetical order: