NOTRE DAME, Indiana — Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Brian Kelly was selected to the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List this week. Kelly is one of three watch list members who has previously won the Dodd Trophy, which celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
Kelly was previously the recipient of the Dodd Trophy in 2018, following an undefeated regular season and trip to the College Football Playoff. The Irish coach posted his 100th* win at Notre Dame with the victory over Boston College (11/14/20), tying Lou Holtz for second-most wins all-time by an Irish coach at Notre Dame. He trails only Knute Rockne’s 105. Overall, Kelly owns 271* career wins, the most of any FBS coach.
On the field, the No. 2 Irish maintain the longest win streak in the FBS at 14-consecutive games, including a win over then-No. 1 Clemson. Since the beginning of 2018, Notre Dame is 31-3. Just three other teams who have also made a College Football Playoff in any year have fewer losses in that time span.
Currently ranked No. 2 in the AP poll, the Irish have been ranked in the AP Top 10 at least one week in each of the last seven seasons, and eight of the last nine, all during Kelly’s tenure.
Through the preseason and current 2020 slate, Kelly has proven to be a leader among his peers in the fight for racial justice, creating the program’s Unity Council and encouraging/participating in player-organized initiatives such as the Juneteenth March; and in management of the global COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to the Notre Dame program, instituting rigorous testing protocols and consulting with medical experts on a regular basis.
*Includes 21 victories and one loss later vacated by discretionary NCAA penalty.