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 10^th 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