Campbell on Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List
July 7th, 2025 by Jack McGonigal
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell was one of 26 coaches named to the 2025 Dodd Trophy preseason watch list Monday afternoon. The annual award honors the FBS head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field.
Campbell, the winningest coach in Iowa State history, led the Cyclones to an 11-3 record, Big 12 title game appearance and a Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over No. 15 Miami in 2024. ISU’s 11 wins were the most in the 133-year history of the program.
Now entering his 10th season at Iowa State, Campbell is the third-longest tenured coach in program history and has tallied 64 victories during his time in Ames. He owns 50.6 percent of ISU’s all-time Big 12 wins (45-of-89) and has led the Cyclones to more bowl appearances than any other Big 12 school (7).
This year’s Dodd Trophy preseason watch list includes 26 of the nation’s top college football coaches representing all Power Four conferences, as well as the AAC, Mountain West and an independent.
Iowa State opens the 2025 season August 23 in Dublin, Ireland against Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
Season tickets are on sale, here.
2025 Dodd Preseason Watch List
Bret Bielema, Illinois
Jeff Brohm, Louisville
Curt Cignetti, Indiana
Mario Cristobal, Miami (FL)
Matt Campbell, Iowa State
Spencer Danielson, Boise State
Ryan Day, Ohio State
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State
Eliah Drinkwitz, Mizzou
Mike Elko, Texas A&M
James Franklin, Penn State
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame
Josh Heupel, Tennessee
Brian Kelly, LSU
Brent Key, Georgia Tech
Chris Klieman, Kansas State
Dan Lanning, Oregon
Joey McGuire, Texas Tech
Jeff Monken, Army
Steve Sarkisian, Texas
Ryan Silverfield, Memphis
Kalani Sitake, BYU
Kirby Smart, Georgia
Dabo Swinney, Clemson
Brent Venables, Oklahoma