James Franklin makes watch list for coveted Dodd Trophy

With perhaps the highest expectations since arriving in Happy Valley over a decade ago, all eyes will be on James Franklin and Penn State football this fall. The 12th-year Nittany Lions head coach again finds himself in elite company this week, being named to the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year watch list for the fifth time since arriving in State College.

Franklin is one of 26 head coaches from across the country to make the watch list for the prestigious award. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, the Dodd Trophy rewards success on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. In addition to projected team success this fall, the trophy considers a program’s Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), and commitment to service and charity in the community.

Penn State football had an APR of 976 for the 2023-24 academic year. The national average was 969.

College Football’s most coveted coaching award.

The 2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watchlist is here 👏🏆

Read more >> https://t.co/DSxNy18gjr#DoddTrophy | presented by @pncbank pic.twitter.com/Yxx1uAkwdz

— The Dodd Trophy (@thedoddtrophy) July 7, 2025

Franklin: We have a tremendous opportunity to do some special things this year

April 26, 2025. Penn State football coach James Franklin looks on during the 2025 Blue-White Game. © Chris Eutsler / Basic Blues Nation, 2025.

Widely viewed as one of the most talented rosters in the country heading into the fall, Franklin has acknowledged that 2025 could be a narrative-changing season for the Nittany Lions program.

“I think we got a tremendous opportunity to do some special things this year,” Franklin said recently. “I know you don’t want me to do this, but I am excited about our opportunity. I’m looking up on the screen right now, Nevada is our opening game. People are going to say, ‘Well, that’s not a big game.’ Well, lose to Nevada and find out quickly. We’re focused on that.

“But, I also am totally comfortable with talking about the things that we aspire to do as a team this year and as a season, and for these players. To me, that’s the biggest thing. I want these players to experience this. I want these players that have come back and made these sacrifices to be a part of something special. And that’s why I wake up very early. That’s why I go to sleep late at night, trying to put these players in the best position to be successful at it and have a very, very special season this year at Penn State.”

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