Penn State head football coach James Franklin has been named to The Dodd Trophy preseason watch list. Franklin was one of 21 FBS head coaches mentioned as a possible recipient for one of the highest awards in college football coaching.

The 2024 #DoddTrophy Preseason Watch List

This list features 21 of the nation’s top college football coaches representing all Power Four conferences and an independent who are hopefuls for college football's most coveted coaching award @PNCBank

: https://t.co/acOYYstys5 pic.twitter.com/VPf17cL90w

— The Dodd Trophy (@thedoddtrophy) July 8, 2024

The Dodd Trophy stresses the importance of scholarship, leadership, and integrity alongside on-field success. The preseason watch list accounted for each program’s academic progress rate, graduation success rate, commitment to service and charity in the community, and projected success for the upcoming season.

Franklin, who is entering his 11th year with Penn State, has a record of 89-39 with the Nittany Lions. He won the Big Ten in 2016 and has led the Nittany Lions to six New Year’s Six bowl games. Last year, a 10-2 Nittany Lion team fell to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl.

Franklin is facing plenty of turnover going into the 2024 season. All three of his coordinators departed for different jobs across the country, and Franklin’s offense, led by junoir quarterback Drew Allar, is hoping to orchestrate a turnaround from the 2023 season.

Franklin is joined by several notable names on the watchlist, including the Big Ten’s Ryan Day (Ohio State), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), and Lincoln Riley (USC).

Only one Penn State head coach has ever won The Dodd Trophy — Joe Paterno took home the award in 1981 and 2005.

A midseason list of coaches will be released during the fall before a final list is presented toward the end of the 2024 season. The winner of The Dodd Trophy will be announced in the lead-up to the Peach Bowl.