CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois head coach Bret Bielema was named to the midseason watch list for the 2024 Dodd Trophy, officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc., announced Thursday afternoon. The announcement comes a day after Bielema was also named to the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year watch list.
Bielema has led the Fighting Illini to a 5-1 start with two AP Top 25 victories. Illinois has been ranked for five straight weeks, including coming in at #22 in this week's poll.
Named for legendary Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd, The Dodd Trophy was established in 1976 to honor the FBS 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.
#22 Illinois hosts #24 Michigan on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT for the Memorial Stadium Rededication Game. Saturday's game will air nationally on CBS.
