Coach Kelly Named to COY Watch Lists
UCLA head football coach Chip Kelly was named on Wednesday to the midseason watch list for The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year Award and as one of 25 college coaches on this year's American Heart Association Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List.
The Bruins own the nation's second-longest win streak (9) and have risen to the No. 9 in the Associated Press poll after opening the 2022 season with six straight wins. UCLA has also captured wins in its first three conference games for the first time since 2007. The Bruin team ranks among the nation's top 25 in Completion Percentage (1st), Passing Efficiency (6th), Total Offense (12th), Turnover Margin (13th), Kickoff Returns (14th), Rushing Defense (16th), Rushing Offense (20th) and Passing Offense (25th).
Named for legendary Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd, The Dodd Trophy was established in 1976 to honor the FBS college football coach whose program represents three pillars of success: Scholarship, Leadership and Integrity. The award honors the coach of a team with a successful season on the field and equally as important, stresses the importance of academic excellence and desire to give back to the community.
The Dodd Trophy presentation is unique to that of other college coach's award in that the winner is honored on his own campus, surrounded by his colleagues, friends and students. The winning coach is presented with an award certificate, a granite trophy replica of Coach Bobby Dodd, and a scholarship check for the university. Patrons of the foundation are The Coca-Cola Company, Cox Enterprises, Delta Air Lines, George W. Mathews Jr., Georgia Power Company and SunTrust Bank.
The American Heart Association Coach of the Year award is given annually to a college football coach for contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity, and a winning approach to coaching and life both on and off the field, all qualities for which Coach Bryant was known and loved.
The American Heart Association Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award will be announced live from Houston's Post Oak Hotel on
Wednesday, January 11, 2023. The award is voted on by the National Sports Media Association, current NCAA College football coaches, former Coach of the Year Award winners, the Bryant Awards' Executive Leadership Team, and the Bryant family. The award is one of the only college coaching honors selected after all postseason bowl games and the National Championship have been played. The Coach of the Year finalist list will be announced on December 13.
The Bruins will play next at Oregon on Saturday (12:30 on FOX) before returning to Pasadena to host Stanford for homecoming on Oct. 29 in the Rose Bowl Stadium at 7:30 p.m.