Josh Heupel Awarded The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Following a 24-17 comeback victory over rival Alabama on the Third Saturday in October, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has been recognized as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., have announced.

The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

"Coach Heupel and his Volunteers made a statement on Saturday," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "The Volunteers have seen a resurgence since he took over in 2021, and they look poised to have another big season under his leadership."

In addition, Heupel has been named to the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List and the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List.

Heupel defeated rivals Florida and Alabama in back-to-back weeks, representing the first time the Volunteers have done that since 1970 in Bill Battle's first season. Heupel is now 4-2 against those rivals over the last three seasons, and he is the first coach in UT history to defeat Florida and Alabama in the same season in at least two out of his first four seasons.

Heupel owns a 33-13 record at Tennessee, and he is 26-7 since the start of the 2022 season. His .717 winning percentage is the second-highest by a Vol coach in the last five decades. The victory over Alabama was Heupel's 11th over a ranked opponent at Tennessee. That total is the third-best in the nation since the start of the 2021 season and the fifth-highest total by a coach in UT history.

The Vols' on-field success has correlated in the classroom as UT has shattered the program record for GPA in three consecutive fall semesters under Heupel. The fall of 2023 saw the Vols produce a program-record 63 SEC Academic Honor Roll recipients, representing the second-most in the SEC.

"Coach Heupel has had success both in the classroom and on the field since taking over the Tennessee program," said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and President Gary Stokan. "It's evident that he's taking the Volunteers to new heights and is making his mark on the program during his four seasons in Knoxville."

The Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank – along with the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Award – celebrates the head coach of a FBS team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.

University of Tennessee Athletics

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