Texas Tech University Athletics
McGuire tabbed to Dodd Award watch list
July 07, 2025 | Football
Joey McGurie was one of 26 head coaches nationally named to the Dodd Award watch list on Monday
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire was named Monday to the watch list for the Dodd Trophy, which is presented annually to the top coach in college football.
McGuire was one of 26 head coaches across college football to be recognized on the watch list and one of five from the Big 12 Conference, joining Iowa State's Matt Campbell, Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham, Kansas State's Chris Klieman and BYU's Kalani Sitake. The SEC led all conferences with eight coaches named to the watch list followed by the Big Ten and Big 12, which both had five coaches represented.
The Dodd Trophy celebrates the nation's top head coach who enjoys success on the field, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd's coaching philosophy. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, the award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coach whose program represents the highest ideas on and off the field.
In his three seasons leading the Red Raiders, McGuire has done just that, becoming only the second head coach in program history to lead Texas Tech to a bowl appearance in all three years and the first to do so with a winning conference record. The Red Raiders are one of only two Big 12 programs the past three seasons to record at least five conference wins, regardless of league affiliation.
Off the field, McGuire and his staff have prioritized student-athlete development with consistent involvement in the Lubbock community and in the classroom. The football program has notched its highest semester and cumulative GPAs on record during McGuire's watch due to his emphasis on academics.
The watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. taking into consideration each program's Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, as well as projected success for the 2025 season.
Coaches in the first year with their current teams were not included as they are ineligible to receive The Dodd Trophy until their second year with the program. Head coaches named to this year's watch list were also required to have an APR above the national average of 969.
McGuire will officially open his fourth season as Texas Tech's head coach Aug. 30 when the Red Raiders host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Jones AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. with television coverage provided on ESPN+.
