Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin Named to Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List

ATLANTA – (Release) Ole Miss football head coach Lane Kiffin has been named to the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year midseason watch list, as announced by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and the Peach Bowl on Thursday.

Kiffin is one of 20 coaches nationally and one of six from the SEC named to the Bobby Dodd list, which is handed out annually to a head coach 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 philosophy.

Kiffin has led the 15th-ranked Rebels to a 5-2 start in 2024 and has done so with the nation’s best rush defense (66.6 ypg) and the SEC’s top total offense (560.7 ypg) that ranks second in the FBS. Ole Miss’ passing attack led by senior QB Jaxson Dart leads the SEC and ranks third nationally at 360.1 yards per game, while the fearsome Rebel defensive front leads the nation in tackles for loss (66) and ranks third in sacks (24).

Kiffin is in his fifth season at Ole Miss, where he has led the Rebels to four consecutive bowl berths and two New Year’s Six appearances since arriving in Oxford in 2020. In 12 years as an FBS head coach, Kiffin has posted an all-time record of 100-51, including a 39-17 mark at Ole Miss. Kiffin stands alongside LSU’s Brian Kelly as the lone active SEC head coaches with 100 FBS victories, and his next victory will make Kiffin one of only four coaches in Ole Miss history to break the 40-win plateau.

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 2024 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR). Coaches in the first year with their current teams were not included as they are ineligible to receive The Dodd Trophy until their second year with their programs.

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 2024 season. The winner of the 2024 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

2024 Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List

Bret Bielema – Illinois
Matt Campbell – Iowa State
Mario Cristobal – Miami (Fla.)
Ryan Day – Ohio State
Eliah Drinkwitz – Missouri
James Franklin – Penn State
Marcus Freeman – Notre Dame
Josh Heupel – Tennessee
Brian Kelly – LSU
Lane Kiffin – Ole Miss
Chris Klieman – Kansas State
Dan Lanning – Oregon
Rhett Lashlee – SMU
Jeff Monken – Army
Pat Narduzzi – Pitt
Brian Newberry – Navy
Steve Sarkisian – Texas
Kalani Sitake – BYU
Kirby Smart – Georgia
Dabo Swinney – Clemson