
Elko Placed on Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List
Oct 22, 2025 | Football
ATLANTA – The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. announced Wednesday that Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko was named to the midseason watch list for the 2025 Dodd Trophy.
This year's list includes 24 of the nation's top college football coaches representing all Power Four conferences, as well as the AAC and an independent.
Elko has the Aggies 7-0 overall for their best start since 1994, and 4-0 in SEC play heading into their Week 9 matchup at LSU on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT. Under his guidance, Texas A&M has answered an opponent scoring drive with a scoring drive of its own on 13-of-19 occasions dating back to the Notre Dame game, including 5-of-6 times against Arkansas last week. Additionally, the Aggies are among six teams nationally with five wins against Power 4 opponents, joining Alabama, BYU, Georgia Tech, Ohio State and Oregon.
Over Elko's last two years at the helm of Texas A&M's program, he has compiled a 15-5 (.750) overall ledger with an 9-3 (.750) mark in conference play. Additionally, the Aggies are 10-2 (.833) when playing at Kyle Field.
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy, college football's most coveted national coaching award, celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's coaching philosophy. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, the award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.
The watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., taking into consideration each program's graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, on-field success thus far for the 2025 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR).
A panel consisting of previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2025 season. The winner of the 2025 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
This year's list includes 24 of the nation's top college football coaches representing all Power Four conferences, as well as the AAC and an independent.
Elko has the Aggies 7-0 overall for their best start since 1994, and 4-0 in SEC play heading into their Week 9 matchup at LSU on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT. Under his guidance, Texas A&M has answered an opponent scoring drive with a scoring drive of its own on 13-of-19 occasions dating back to the Notre Dame game, including 5-of-6 times against Arkansas last week. Additionally, the Aggies are among six teams nationally with five wins against Power 4 opponents, joining Alabama, BYU, Georgia Tech, Ohio State and Oregon.
Over Elko's last two years at the helm of Texas A&M's program, he has compiled a 15-5 (.750) overall ledger with an 9-3 (.750) mark in conference play. Additionally, the Aggies are 10-2 (.833) when playing at Kyle Field.
Managed by Peach Bowl, Inc., The Dodd Trophy, college football's most coveted national coaching award, celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's coaching philosophy. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, the award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.
The watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., taking into consideration each program's graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, on-field success thus far for the 2025 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR).
A panel consisting of previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2025 season. The winner of the 2025 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
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