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Boise State Athletics
Photo by: Kenna Harbison
Danielson Named to Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List
7/9/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
 ATLANTA - Spencer Danielson is one of 20 FBS coaches named to the 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. announced on Thursday.
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The award is given annually to the head coach of a team who finds success on the field while exemplifying the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
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The recognition marks the second consecutive season Danielson has garnered preseason recognition by the organization. Danielson is the only Pac-12 coach named to the list. The Big 10 has seven coaches represented, followed by the SEC (6), ACC (3) and Big 12 (2). Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman was also listed.
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Danielson, who took over the helm of the program as the interim head coach near the end of the 2023 campaign, has tallied a 24-8 career record in his two-plus seasons as the head coach.Â
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He has led the Broncos to three consecutive conference titles, joining Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma, 2017-19) as the only two coaches to win three consecutive FBS conference titles in the first three seasons of their career.
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The selection process for the preseason watch list considers each program's Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service, charity in the community, and projected success for the 2026 campaign.
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A midseason watch list will be released later in the fall. The winner of the award will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
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The award is given annually to the head coach of a team who finds success on the field while exemplifying the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
Â
The recognition marks the second consecutive season Danielson has garnered preseason recognition by the organization. Danielson is the only Pac-12 coach named to the list. The Big 10 has seven coaches represented, followed by the SEC (6), ACC (3) and Big 12 (2). Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman was also listed.
Â
Danielson, who took over the helm of the program as the interim head coach near the end of the 2023 campaign, has tallied a 24-8 career record in his two-plus seasons as the head coach.Â
Â
He has led the Broncos to three consecutive conference titles, joining Lincoln Riley (Oklahoma, 2017-19) as the only two coaches to win three consecutive FBS conference titles in the first three seasons of their career.
Â
The selection process for the preseason watch list considers each program's Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service, charity in the community, and projected success for the 2026 campaign.
Â
A midseason watch list will be released later in the fall. The winner of the award will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
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| 2026 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List | ||
| Coach | School | Conference |
| Bret Bielema | Illinois | Big Ten |
| Jeff Brohm | Louisville | ACC |
| Curt Cignetti | Indiana | Big Ten |
| Mario Cristobal | Miami (FL) | ACC |
| Spencer Danielson | Boise State | Pac-12 |
| Ryan Day | Ohio State | Big Ten |
| Kalen DeBoer | Alabama | SEC |
| Sonny Dykes | TCU | Big 12 |
| Mike Elko | Texas A&M | SEC |
| Kirk Ferentz | Iowa | Big Ten |
| Jedd Fisch | Washington | Big Ten |
| Marcus Freeman | Notre Dame | Independent |
| Willie Fritz | Houston | Big 12 |
| Josh Heupel | Tennessee | SEC |
| Brent Key | Georgia Tech | ACC |
| Dan Lanning | Oregon | Big Ten |
| Lincoln Riley | USC | Big Ten |
| Steve Sarkisian | Texas | SEC |
| Kirby Smart | Georgia | SEC |
| Brent Venables | Oklahoma | SEC |
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