CORAL GABLES, Fla. — University of Miami head football coach Mario Cristobal was selected to the midseason watch list for the 2024 Bobby Dodd Trophy presented by PNC Bank, the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl announced Thursday.

Cristobal was listed among 20 of the country’s top college football coaches, representing all Power Four conferences, as well as the AAC and an independent.

The Dodd Trophy — college football’s most coveted national coaching award — celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity — the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s coaching philosophy.

In just his third season as head coach of his alma mater, Cristobal has led the sixth-ranked Hurricanes (6-0, 2-0 ACC) to their best start since 2017.

Miami is one of only six teams to rank in the top 15 of both total offense and total defense in the country.

Cristobal’s team is No. 1 in all of FBS in total offense, averaging 583.8 yards per game.

Under his watch, senior quarterback Cam Ward has emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate, becoming the first player to open his Miami career with six straight performances of 300-plus passing yards.

The watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc, taking into considering each program’s graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, on-field success thus far for the 2024 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR).

A panel consisting of previous winners, national media, a member of the Dodd family and a College Football Hall of Fame member will identify the final list of potential recipients at the conclusion of the 2023 season. The winner of the 2024 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.