Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin makes the 2024 Dodd Trophy preseason watch list

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has made the 2024 Dodd Trophy preseason watch list, alongside 20 other coaches from Power Four conferences and an independent.

Kiffin was one of six SEC coaches who made the list, alongside Georgia's Kirby Smart and LSU's Brian Kelly—the SEC had the most head coaches nominated alongside the ACC. Florida State head coach Mike Norvell was on the list, the coach who was awarded the trophy in 2023, guiding the Noles to a 13-1 season.

The Dodd Trophy is awarded to the head coach whose program embodies the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership, and integrity while succeeding on the playing field. The trophy was first introduced in 1976 and won by Georgia head coach Vince Dooley. Famous head coaches like Bob Stoops, Nick Saban, and Chris Petersen have also won the award.

Head coaches such as Alabama's Kalen DeBoer and Texas A&M's Mike Elko can not make the award list this season, as you must be in at least the second year as head coach of the program. A panel of previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family, and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify a final list of potential recipients at the end of the season. The winner will be announced during the week of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

Lane Kiffin made the list in 2023. However, it was not on the preseason watch list, as Kiffin was added to the midseason list after starting the 2023 season 5-1.

In addition to looking to win the most decorated individual trophy as head coach, head coaches are awarded the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week following every game week. If the season goes as we are predicting, I wouldn't be surprised to see Kiffin scoop the award at least one week during the 2024 season.