Multiple Irish Players, Brian Kelly Join Preseason Award Watch Lists

Last week, Notre Dame had a handful of guys represented in some of the preseason awards watch lists. This week, eight more Irish, including head coach Brian Kelly, were included in preseason watch lists. Here are the coaches and players on preseason award lists:

Apr 18, 2015; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly leads his players into the LaBar Practice Complex for the Blue-Gold Game. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Dodd Trophy – Brian Kelly

The Dodd award is handed out annually to the best coach in college football. Since he arrived in South Bend, Kelly has led Notre Dame to a 45-20 record along with five straight bowl game appearances, including a BCS National Championship appearance in 2013. There’s no doubt Kelly is one of the better head coaches in college football, and with the talent he has on his roster this season, the expectations for this team to perform are sky high. If he can find a way to lead the Irish back to the National Championship, he’ll add to his already large collection of Coach of the Year awards.