Iowa football's Kirk Ferentz named to Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List

Kirk Ferentz was named to the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List on Tuesday.

The longtime Iowa head football coach is one of 18 coaches nationwide to be named to the watch list. The Dodd Trophy is given annually to the head coach of a program that has success on the field, while also prioritizing scholarship, leadership, and integrity off the field.

The Hawkeyes are off to a 5-1 (2-1 Big Ten) start this season, and Ferentz's leadership style is a big reason why.

The official press release from Iowa Athletics stated that the following goes into the decision-making process for the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List:

"Compiled by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., the midseason watch list evaluates each program’s graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), Academic Progress Rate (APR), commitment to community service, and on-field success through the first half of the 2026 season."

Still setting the standard 🏆

Coach Ferentz ➡️ @thedoddtrophy Midseason List pic.twitter.com/pEBixSuyjw

— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) October 13, 2026

Over his 28 seasons at the helm in Iowa City, Ferentz has garnered a reputation for developing good players on the field, while also focusing on producing better men off the field. Many former players have credited Ferentz for helping them become the person they are during and after their playing careers.

Ferentz won the Dodd Trophy in 2015 after he led Iowa to a perfect 12-0 regular season. He was a semifinalist for the trophy in 2023 after leading the Hawkeyes to 10 regular-season wins.

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football's Kirk Ferentz named to Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List