Indiana University Football Coach Curt Cignetti is on the Preseason Dodd Trophy Watch List Curt Cignetti joked in December he had swept all of the national coach of the year honors except the Dodd Trophy, because you have to be with a team for more than one year to be eligible. At the start of year two in Bloomington, Cignetti is on the radar for the one that got away. Cignetti is one of 26 coaches on the preseason watch list for the 2025 Dodd Trophy, it was announced on Monday. Cignetti will coach against three of the other coaches on the watch list Illinois’ Bret Bielema, Penn State’s James Franklin, and Oregon’s Dan Lanning. Former IU offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer, now the head coach at Alabama, is also on the list. Former IU coach Tom Allen was a finalist for the honor in 2020.
The Dodd Trophy 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. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary this season, the award was established to honor the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1A) head football coach whose program represents the highest ideals on and off the field. The watch list was created through a selection process by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and Peach Bowl, Inc. taking into consideration each program’s Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, as well as projected success for the 2025 season.
The 2025 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List Presented by PNC Bank:
| Coach | School | Conference | APR (2023-24) |
| Bret Bielema | Illinois | Big Ten | 980 |
| Jeff Brohm | Louisville | ACC | 989 |
| Curt Cignetti | Indiana | Big Ten | 982 |
| Mario Cristobal | Miami (FL) | ACC | 987 |
| Matt Campbell | Iowa State | Big 12 | 1000 |
| Spencer Danielson | Boise State | Mountain West | 994 |
| Ryan Day | Ohio State | Big Ten | 1000 |
| Kalen DeBoer | Alabama | SEC | 1000 |
| Kenny Dillingham | Arizona State | Big 12 | 983 |
| Eliah Drinkwitz | Missouri | SEC | 993 |
| Mike Elko | Texas A&M | SEC | 974 |
| James Franklin | Penn State | Big Ten | 976 |
| Marcus Freeman | Notre Dame | Independent | 987 |
| Josh Heupel | Tennessee | SEC | 982 |
| Brian Kelly | LSU | SEC | 1000 |
| Brent Key | Georgia Tech | ACC | 991 |
| Chris Klieman | Kansas State | Big 12 | 997 |
| Dan Lanning | Oregon | Big Ten | 981 |
| Joey McGuire | Texas Tech | Big 12 | 997 |
| Jeff Monken | Army | AAC | 980 |
| Steve Sarkisian | Texas | SEC | 991 |
| Ryan Silverfield | Memphis | AAC | 973 |
| Kalani Sitake | BYU | Big 12 | 978 |
| Kirby Smart | Georgia | SEC | 1000 |
| Dabo Swinney | Clemson | ACC | 1000 |
| Brent Venables | Oklahoma | SEC | 993 |
A midseason watch list – adding to or narrowing the field – will be released in the fall. 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 2025 season. The winner of the 2025 Dodd Trophy Presented by PNC Bank will be announced in Atlanta during the week of the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Starting in September on a weekly basis, the Dodd Coach of the Week Award will also honor coaches whose program embodies the award’s three pillars of scholarship, leadership and integrity, while also having success on the playing field during the previous week.
Tyrese Haliburton will officially Miss the 2025-26 Season Due to his Torn Achilles Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard confirmed on Monday that Tyrese Haliburton will not be playing in the 2025-26 season. Haliburton suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. “I have no doubt that he will be back better than ever… He will not play next year though,” Pritchard said. “We would not jeopardize that now. Don’t get any hopes up that he will play.” Pritchard added that Haliburton’s surgery went well.
Pritchard said they had probably 20 hours of calls and discussions about Haliburton playing in the NBA Finals with his right calf injury. “He’s told me many times, this just shows you what kind of kid he is, ‘I would do it over and over,’” Pritchard said. “And if you’re asking me, would I have him do it over and over? I would not. If I knew that he was going to get hurt, I would sacrifice that game because I care for the kid so much and want him to have an incredible career.” While he has been recovering from his Achilles injury, Haliburton has been at the Pacers’ Summer League practices. supporting the younger players in the organization.
Indiana University Athletics Announces Creation of Cream and Crimson Studios as the Department New Video Production Team Cream and Crimson Studios is the new in-house video production arm of IU Athletics. IU Athletics, IU Radio/TV Services, and The Media School have joined forces to create this new IU Athletics-housed, sports-centered video production entity. The goal for Cream and Crimson Studios is simple – to improve the videoboard shows and live event streams of IU Athletics’ varsity sports programs while also creating real-world broadcasting opportunities for Indiana University students. “IU Radio/TV Services has been an invaluable partner in our efforts to share the amazing things that our student-athletes and programs are doing with Hoosier fans all around the world,” said IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson. “Now, that goes to a whole new level with the introduction of Cream and Crimson Studios. I’m incredibly excited for this new venture, and appreciative of the efforts of Senior Associate Athletic Director Jeremy Gray, IU Radio/TV Services Director of Media Productions Kevon Wilson, along with many others in making this a reality.”
While Cream and Crimson Studios is new, IU Athletics’ relationship with IU Radio/TV Services is not. The two departments have extensive experience collaborating in this space, as IU Athletics has contracted with Radio/TV Services in past years on more than 150 events on an annual basis. While that made IU Athletics the biggest client for Radio/TV Services, the relationship didn’t include Radio/TV Services staff members who were singularly focused on the needs of IU Athletics. That all changes now, as seven Radio/TV Services staff members will form a new unit within The Media School, embedded in IU Athletics to focus all their attention on the IU sports realm. The Cream and Crimson Studios staff will be housed in Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, in a newly remodeled, west side space that is conveniently located next to the Mark Cuban Center for Sports Media and Technology. Senior Associate Athletic Director Jeremy Gray is the senior manager in charge of the new space, while Assistant Director of Video Services Dani Malakoff will assist with Cream and Crimson Studios’ day-to-day operations. Malakoff is a three-time Emmy Award winner who has extensive video board show experience from multiple intercollegiate athletic departments.
The Cream and Crimson Studio staff will continue to work extensively with Media School students, who will be able to get the type of real-world, live broadcast experience that will prepare them well for professional opportunities after they graduate. “This partnership opens even more doors for Media School students to gain hands-on sports media experience on the national stage,” said Media School Dean David Tolchinsky. “By leveraging the talent and expertise of the Cream and Crimson Studios professionals and the unbeatable energy of IU Athletics, we’re creating experiential and career preparation opportunities students won’t find anywhere else.”
“”Our partnership with IU Athletics is something truly special,” said Wilson. “I am excited to build on this collaboration by enhancing the in-venue experience, expanding our Big Ten Plus livestream offerings, and showcasing the incredible stories of the Indiana Hoosiers. At the same time, we’re committed to providing students with hands-on experiences that prepare them for future careers in live production and storytelling. This partnership continues to showcase our shared dedication to delivering outstanding experiences for our community and creating valuable opportunities for students.”
In addition to enabling IU to expand the number of live broadcasts that it airs over B1G+ in future years, this new partnership will also create the opportunity to dramatically improve the live game entertainment that Hoosier fans enjoy when they see IU programs in person in Bloomington. The IU Athletics facilities where Cream and Crimson Studios will operate the videoboards are: Robert C. Haugh Complex – Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall – Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Memorial Stadium – Football, Wilkinson Hall- Volleyball, Wrestling, Bart Kaufman Field – Baseball, Andy Mohr Field – Softball, Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center – Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving, Water Polo, Bill Armstrong Stadium – Men’s and Women’s Soccer and Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse – Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field.
Indiana Fever to Face the Dallas Wings at the American Airlines Center on August 1st The Indiana Fever’s game on the road against the Dallas Wings on Friday, August 1 has moved from the College Park Center to the American Airlines Center. The game features the last three players to be selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft: Aliyah Boston (Fever, 2023), Caitlin Clark (Fever, 2024) and Paige Bueckers (Wings, 2025). The Fever and Wings have played one time so far this season, with the Fever winning the matchup on the road, 94-86, on June 27. Caitlin Clark did not play in the game, as she recovers from a left groin injury.
The Fever play the Wings on Sunday, June 13 in Indianapolis, which could be Clark and Bueckers’ first matchup in the WNBA. Clark and Bueckers played each other twice in college, with both players winning one game. Clark and Iowa bested Bueckers’ UConn Huskies in the Final Four in 2024, winning 71-69. Clark scored 21 points and Bueckers scored 17 points in that game. They also matched up in the Sweet 16 in 2021, with Bueckers and UConn winning 92-72. Clark scored 21 points and Bueckers scored 18 points. The change in venue drastically increased the capacity for the game. The College Park Center’s capacity is listed at 7,000, while the American Airlines Center’s capacity is listed at 20,000. Clark has averaged 18.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game this season in nine games. Bueckers has averaged 18.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game in 14 games this season. Tipoff for the game on August 1 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Center James Wiseman Signs with the Indiana Pacers The Indiana Pacers announced on Monday that they signed center James Wiseman. Wiseman was with the Pacers last season but tore his Achilles in the first game of the year. In the 2023-24 season, Wiseman played in 63 games with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Wiseman was selected No. 2 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors. He joins Jay Huff, who the Pacers acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies, and Tony Bradley as centers on the roster for the upcoming season.
WNBA All-Star Game Reserves announced Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron will be making their All-Star debuts in Indianapolis later this month as they were all chosen on Sunday as reserves for the game. Thornton has been in the league for nine years and finally is getting her chance to play in the exhibition game. She was selected in the expansion draft by Golden State last year from New York and has helped the expansion team get off to a good start. “It would be such a reward for her,” said New York’s Sandy Brondello, who will be one of the All-Star coaches. “She’s been a role player all her career, but to go into a new organization and do so well, I voted for her as an alternate to get there because she deserves it.”
Williams has been in the league for six seasons, although she’s missed time to play with France’s national team. She’s having a strong season for Seattle this year. Washington rookies Iriafen and Citron join Dallas’ Paige Bueckers as first-year players on the All-Star team. Bueckers was chosen as a starter. It’s the first time that three rookies will be playing in the game since 2011. Other reserves chosen include Seattle’s Skylar Diggins, Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas, Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell, Los Angeles’ Kelsey Plum, Minnesota’ Courtney Williams, Las Vegas’ Jackie Young and Chicago’s Angel Reese. “It means a lot to go with these other two,” said Diggins, who will be making her seventh All-Star appearance of playing with teammates Nneka Ogwumike and Williams.
The reserves were selected by the WNBA’s 13 head coaches, who each voted for three guards, five frontcourt players and four players at either position regardless of conference. The coaches were not able to vote for their own players. Captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier will draft their teams for the All-Star Game on July 19. First, they’ll chose from the eight other starters: Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Bueckers, Ogwumike, Allisha Gray, Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally and Aliyah Boston. Some notable players left off the team were Washington’s Brittney Sykes, Atlanta’s Brionna Jones, New York’s Natasha Cloud and Los Angeles’ Dearica Hamby. Connecticut was the only team without an All-Star selection.