Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Mel Tucker Earns Dodd Trophy National Coach of the Week Honors
11/1/2021 9:22:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Officials from the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. announced on Monday afternoon that Michigan State head football coach Mel Tucker has been selected as The Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week presented by PNC.
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.
The No. 8 Michigan State Spartans took home the Paul Bunyan Trophy defeating No. 6 Michigan 37-33 at Spartan Stadium on Saturday. The Spartans stormed back from a 16-point deficit in the second half, led by Kenneth Walker III and his 197 yards rushing and five touchdowns on the ground. Walker scored every Spartan touchdown in the game, including the eventual game-winner with just over five minutes remaining. Quarterback Payton Thorne contributed 196 yards passing and junior wide receiver Jayden Reed led the Spartans with six catches for 80 yards. Junior linebacker Quavaris Crouch led Michigan State on the defensive side with 13 tackles, while redshirt freshman linebacker Cal Haladay and sophomore safety Darius Snow each had 10 tackles. Freshman cornerback Charles Brantley sealed the victory with his first career interception with just over a minute remaining.
The victory also made Tucker the first Spartan coach to win his first two games against the Wolverines.
"Coach Tucker is already leaving his mark at Michigan State in just his second season, giving the Spartans their highest-ranked win since 2015," 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 was able to erase a 16-point deficit against one of his fiercest rivals."
"Coach Tucker has a long history of excellence on the football field," said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO & President Gary Stokan. "But he's been just as successful off the field, already leading Michigan State to a record-breaking number of players being named academic all-conference in his first year at the helm."
The Dodd Trophy presented by PNC - 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.
A panel consisting of all 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 2021 season. The winner of the 2021 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of this year's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Tucker was named to the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year Watch List last month.
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.
The No. 8 Michigan State Spartans took home the Paul Bunyan Trophy defeating No. 6 Michigan 37-33 at Spartan Stadium on Saturday. The Spartans stormed back from a 16-point deficit in the second half, led by Kenneth Walker III and his 197 yards rushing and five touchdowns on the ground. Walker scored every Spartan touchdown in the game, including the eventual game-winner with just over five minutes remaining. Quarterback Payton Thorne contributed 196 yards passing and junior wide receiver Jayden Reed led the Spartans with six catches for 80 yards. Junior linebacker Quavaris Crouch led Michigan State on the defensive side with 13 tackles, while redshirt freshman linebacker Cal Haladay and sophomore safety Darius Snow each had 10 tackles. Freshman cornerback Charles Brantley sealed the victory with his first career interception with just over a minute remaining.
The victory also made Tucker the first Spartan coach to win his first two games against the Wolverines.
"Coach Tucker is already leaving his mark at Michigan State in just his second season, giving the Spartans their highest-ranked win since 2015," 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 was able to erase a 16-point deficit against one of his fiercest rivals."
"Coach Tucker has a long history of excellence on the football field," said Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO & President Gary Stokan. "But he's been just as successful off the field, already leading Michigan State to a record-breaking number of players being named academic all-conference in his first year at the helm."
The Dodd Trophy presented by PNC - 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.
A panel consisting of all 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 2021 season. The winner of the 2021 Dodd Trophy will be announced in Atlanta during the week of this year's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Tucker was named to the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year Watch List last month.
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