Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Mel Tucker Named Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week
12/1/2020 4:33:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl announced on Tuesday afternoon that Michigan State head football coach Mel Tucker has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week.
The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
Michigan State defeated No. 8 Northwestern, 29-20, on Saturday in East Lansing. Spartan kicker Matt Coghlin made a tie-breaking 48-yard field goal with 3:35 left, and the Michigan State defense held on to knock off the previously undefeated Wildcats. The Spartan defense forced a season-high four takeaways Saturday, with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Michigan State also rushed for a season-high 195 yards on 47 carries, led by Connor Heyward, who rushed for a season-high 96 yards on a career-high 24 carries.
The Spartans' win over the Wildcats marked their first win over a top-10 team in the CFP rankings since taking down No. 7 Penn State in 2017. Michigan State now joins Alabama and Georgia as the only teams in the FBS to beat two AP Top 15 teams this season.
"Coach Tucker is already leaving his mark at Michigan State with two marquee wins during his first season," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "Coach Dodd believed every game was important, but there's no doubt that he would admire how Coach Tucker has been able to motivate his team against some of its toughest competition this season."
Mel Tucker, a 23-year coaching veteran, was named Michigan State University's 25th head football coach in February earlier this year. Tucker's resume includes a head coaching position at the University of Colorado (2019), five seasons as a defensive coach in the Southeastern Conference (2000; 2015-18), 10 seasons in the NFL (2005-14) and four seasons at Ohio State (2001-04). He was a defensive coordinator in the NFL for seven seasons and 11 seasons overall in his coaching career.
In 147 games as a full-time coach in the FBS, Tucker's teams have collected a 108-39 (.734) record, including 10 postseason bowl games, three conference championships, three national championship games and two national championships. He also coached 160 games in the NFL with Cleveland, Jacksonville and Chicago.
With Saturday's win, Tucker is now 4-3 against teams ranked in the AP Top 25, including a 2-1 record at Michigan State. Four of his seven wins as a head coach in his first two seasons have come against ranked opponents.
Off the football field, Tucker and his family recently gave back during the pandemic by showing local medical workers how much they appreciate their hard work. Tucker donated food from Arcadia to Sparrow hospital workers, in addition to donating meals from Troppo to hospital staff at McLaren Greater Lansing.
"Coach Tucker has a proven track record of getting the most out of his players during the biggest games," said Gary Stokan, CEO and president of Peach Bowl, Inc. "But he also has an impressive resume of getting the most out of his student-athletes in the classroom, and is already making a difference in the East Lansing community."
The Dodd Trophy presented by the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – along with the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Award – celebrates the head coach of a FBS team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week award honors a football coach who led his team to a significant victory during the previous week, while also embodying the award's three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
Michigan State defeated No. 8 Northwestern, 29-20, on Saturday in East Lansing. Spartan kicker Matt Coghlin made a tie-breaking 48-yard field goal with 3:35 left, and the Michigan State defense held on to knock off the previously undefeated Wildcats. The Spartan defense forced a season-high four takeaways Saturday, with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Michigan State also rushed for a season-high 195 yards on 47 carries, led by Connor Heyward, who rushed for a season-high 96 yards on a career-high 24 carries.
The Spartans' win over the Wildcats marked their first win over a top-10 team in the CFP rankings since taking down No. 7 Penn State in 2017. Michigan State now joins Alabama and Georgia as the only teams in the FBS to beat two AP Top 15 teams this season.
"Coach Tucker is already leaving his mark at Michigan State with two marquee wins during his first season," said Jim Terry, chairman of the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation. "Coach Dodd believed every game was important, but there's no doubt that he would admire how Coach Tucker has been able to motivate his team against some of its toughest competition this season."
Mel Tucker, a 23-year coaching veteran, was named Michigan State University's 25th head football coach in February earlier this year. Tucker's resume includes a head coaching position at the University of Colorado (2019), five seasons as a defensive coach in the Southeastern Conference (2000; 2015-18), 10 seasons in the NFL (2005-14) and four seasons at Ohio State (2001-04). He was a defensive coordinator in the NFL for seven seasons and 11 seasons overall in his coaching career.
In 147 games as a full-time coach in the FBS, Tucker's teams have collected a 108-39 (.734) record, including 10 postseason bowl games, three conference championships, three national championship games and two national championships. He also coached 160 games in the NFL with Cleveland, Jacksonville and Chicago.
With Saturday's win, Tucker is now 4-3 against teams ranked in the AP Top 25, including a 2-1 record at Michigan State. Four of his seven wins as a head coach in his first two seasons have come against ranked opponents.
Off the football field, Tucker and his family recently gave back during the pandemic by showing local medical workers how much they appreciate their hard work. Tucker donated food from Arcadia to Sparrow hospital workers, in addition to donating meals from Troppo to hospital staff at McLaren Greater Lansing.
"Coach Tucker has a proven track record of getting the most out of his players during the biggest games," said Gary Stokan, CEO and president of Peach Bowl, Inc. "But he also has an impressive resume of getting the most out of his student-athletes in the classroom, and is already making a difference in the East Lansing community."
The Dodd Trophy presented by the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – along with the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week Award – celebrates the head coach of a FBS team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importance of scholarship, leadership and integrity.
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