Notre Dame Fighting Irish football head coach Marcus Freeman has been added to the Dodd Trophy preseason watch list.
Named after Georgia Tech head coach, the late Bobby Dodd, the award is given out to a FBS head coach whose team has success on the field — a coach who also exhibits scholarship, leadership and integrity.
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti won the award, managed by the Peach Bowl, in 2025.
Freeman is on this year’s list alongside 19 other coaches, including Illinois’ Bret Bielema, Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz. Georgia’s Kirby Smart is also on the list.
Scholarship. Leadership. Integrity.
Coach Freeman has been named to the Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/IxxeU5sYfI
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) July 9, 2026
20 head coaches were named to the 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List for their commitment to scholarship, leadership and integrity. 🏆
🔗: https://t.co/573JB1X7CU#DoddTrophypic.twitter.com/vzPB9l9vZU
— The Dodd Trophy (@thedoddtrophy) July 9, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman on key award watch list
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