Georgia’s Kirby Smart is one of seven finalists for the Dodd Trophy, the college football coach of the year.

The award is presented by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The award has three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity, both on and off the field, according to the foundation.

Smart is joined by Syracuse’s Dino Babers, Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald, Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly, Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley, Alabama’s Nick Saban and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney as finalists.

The finalists have a combined record of 75-9 during the regular season. They have a combined 88 years of head coaching experience with seven national championships and 781 career wins.

Saban (2014) and Swinney (2011) are former winners.

The winner will be announced during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl week. The game will be played on Dec. 29 between Florida and Michigan.

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Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel shake hands after Georgia beat Tennessee during overtime in an NCAA football game at Neyland Stadium, Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. Georgia won 44-41 over Tennessee in overtime.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com