Eli Drinkwitz earns spot on 2024 Dodd Trophy preseason watch list
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The leader of Mizzou Football is already in the hunt for a prestigious coaching honor. Eli Drinkwitz is one of the 21 college football coaches featured on the 2024 Dodd Trophy preseason watch list.
The Dodd Trophy is named after College Football Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Dodd. It is awarded to a college coach who achieves success on the football field and also emphasizes the importance of the main attributes of Dodd's coaching philosophy: scholarship, leadership and integrity. A college football program's projected success for the 2024 season, its academic progress rate, its graduation success rate and community service were all taken into account while compiling this year's preseason watch list for the award.
“Even as our sport constantly evolves, these 21 coaches have continuously exemplified what The Dodd Trophy stands for in their relentless commitment to scholarship, leadership and integrity,” Peach Bowl CEO and President Gary Stokan said in Monday's press release. “We’re looking forward to kicking off the new era of college football this season with the expanded College Football Playoff and look forward to seeing how these coaches continue to set the standard on the field, in the classroom and in their communities.”
Drinkwitz was a finalist for the honor during the 2023 season. This year, he is featured on the award's preseason watch list alongside five other SEC coaches and leaders from the Power Four conferences and an independent program.
A midseason watch list for the 2024 Dodd Trophy will be announced in the fall, narrowing or expanding the field of coaches. The winner of the award will be chosen during the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
