​Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel has been named to the 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List, adding another national recognition to his growing résumé with the Volunteers. The honor places Heupel among 20 college football head coaches selected for preseason consideration by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc.
The Dodd Trophy is widely regarded as one of college football’s most respected coaching awards. Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., the award recognizes more than wins and losses. It honors a head coach whose program demonstrates excellence on the field while also reflecting the values of scholarship, leadership and integrity. Those three principles were central to the coaching philosophy of legendary Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd, and they remain the foundation of the award today.
Established to recognize the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coach whose program best represents success both on and off the field, the Dodd Trophy places a strong emphasis on character and program culture. Coaches selected for the watch list are evaluated not only for their team’s performance, but also for the academic achievement, leadership development and overall integrity within their programs.
Heupel is entering his sixth season as Tennessee’s head coach and his ninth season overall as an NCAA FBS head coach. Since arriving in Knoxville, he has helped transform the Volunteers into one of the more competitive programs in the Southeastern Conference. Heupel owns a 45-20 record at Tennessee, a strong mark considering the state of the program before his arrival. In the five seasons prior to Heupel taking over, the Vols posted a combined 29-31 record.
Under Heupel’s leadership, Tennessee football has regained national relevance. His fast-paced offensive system, player development and steady program-building approach have helped the Vols return to the national conversation. His success in Knoxville has also strengthened his standing among the top active head coaches in college football.
Across nine seasons as a head coach, Heupel has compiled a 73-28 overall record, good for a .723 winning percentage. That winning percentage ranks 10th nationally among active FBS head coaches with at least three seasons of head coaching experience. His ability to win consistently has been a major reason Tennessee has continued to build momentum under his direction.
The recognition also highlights the academic progress Tennessee has made during Heupel’s tenure. The Volunteers posted a 3.26 team grade-point average during the fall 2025 semester and followed that with a 3.28 team GPA in the spring 2026 semester. Those academic results reflect one of the key pillars of the Dodd Trophy and reinforce the program’s commitment to success beyond the football field.
Heupel is one of six SEC head coaches included on the 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List. He joins Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko and Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer. The SEC’s strong presence on the list reflects the conference’s depth of coaching talent entering the 2026 college football season.
For Tennessee fans, Heupel’s inclusion on the Dodd Trophy watch list is another sign of the program’s continued growth. Since taking over the Vols, he has helped restore confidence, elevate expectations and create a winning culture in Knoxville. His recognition for an award centered on scholarship, leadership and integrity further underscores the broader progress Tennessee football has made under his leadership.
As the 2026 season approaches, Josh Heupel will look to continue building on the foundation he has established with the Vols. With Tennessee aiming to remain a factor in the SEC and national landscape, Heupel’s place on the Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List adds another storyline to watch during the upcoming college football season. Fans can follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter, for more Tennessee football news, updates and coverage.