Kirk Ferentz Named to Dodd Trophy Midseason List

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz has been named to the 2026 Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List, announced Tuesday by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. Ferentz is one of 18 coaches nationwide recognized on the list.

The Dodd Trophy, college football’s most coveted national coaching award, honors the head coach of a program that enjoys success on the gridiron while stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership, and integrity — the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s philosophy.

Compiled by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., the midseason watch list evaluates each program’s graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), Academic Progress Rate (APR), commitment to community service, and on-field success through the first half of the 2026 season.

The longest-tenured head coach in college football, Ferentz is in his 28th season leading the Hawkeyes. During his tenure, he has mentored 14 individual national award winners on 17 occasions and developed 101 NFL Draft selections. Ferentz has guided Iowa to Big Ten championships in 2002 and 2004, alongside Big Ten West Division titles in 2015, 2021, and 2023.

Ferentz has compiled 214 total victories, including a Big Ten-record 135 conference wins. He was previously named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year in 2015 and was selected as a semifinalist in 2023.

Other head coaches featured on the midseason list represent Alabama, Boise State, BYU, Georgia, Houston, Indiana, Miami, Mississippi State, Missouri, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, SMU, Tennessee, Texas, USC, and Wake Forest.

The No. 17 Iowa (5-1, 2-1) return to action at Minnesota (4-2, 2-1) on Saturday, Oct. 24.