Steve Sarkisian earns spot on Dodd Trophy preseason watch list
As Sarkisian looks to add to his trophy case, he will have competition. He was one of 26 coaches in the nation on the list. This is not unfamiliar territory for the architect of the Longhorns' success. Last year, Sarkisian was honored on both the 2024 Dodd Trophy preseason and midseason watch lists.
During Sarkisian's tenure, the Longhorns have been one of the most successful programs in the country. They have one of the best chances at winning a national title after tying the program record with 13 wins last season. Over the last two years, with Sarkisian leading the way, Texas has 25 wins. However, his impact on his players extends beyond the box score.
He has also helped his players reach their dreams. Just a few months ago, former Longhorns stars such as Matthew Golden, Gunnar Helm, Quinn Ewers, and Andrew Mukaba were drafted by NFL teams. The year before, Adonai Mitchell and Xavier Worthy heard their names called after being coached by Sarkisian. That is partly why the Longhorns head coach is up for another honor.
Although Sarkisian's focus is on winning a national title, he won't have to wait long to see if he advances to the next round. The field will be narrowed down at midseason. The winner will then be picked by a panel that includes previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family, and a College Football Hall of Fame member.
While Sarkisian will ultimately be judged by wins and losses, adding more hardware to his trophy case would be a reason to celebrate. He has a good resume to back it up with what he has accomplished during his time in Austin.
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