Football

Todd Dodge knew when he took the job at North Texas a year ago that there would be a transitional period. He knew that it would take some time to implement his philosophies and his schemes and he knew that there would be some difficulties along the way. Dodge also knew that he and his staff would be a factor in the learning curve.

From the first team meeting until the season finale, the first year under Dodge was a season of continuous evaluation and adjustment. Dodge and his staff spent the entire 2007 spring practice season assessing his personnel, while trying to completely overhaul the offensive system. His primary goal was to convert a run-based offense that featured two tight ends into a high-powered spread attack that used four and five wide receiver sets. The conversion for Dodge’s new offense would also have to come with just five returning starters and no returning all-conference performers.

The offensive development continued throughout the 2007 season, and despite being in a transitional period, the Mean Green broke single-season school records for total offense (4,901) and passing yards (3,476). With Dodge’s teaching, three offensive players earned all-conference honors, including Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year Giovanni Vizza who took over as the starting quarterback five games into his inaugural year. Former walk-on receiver Casey Fitzgerald also found a home in Dodge’s offense, breaking every single-season receiving record and earning honorable mention All-America honors.

Dodge, 44, officially assumed control of the North Texas football program on Dec. 26, 2006 - three days after he had coached his Southlake Carroll High School football team to its fourth state championship in five years. As one of the most widely respected high school football coaches in the nation, Dodge led Southlake Carroll to a 79-1 record over his final five years, with the only loss coming by a single point in the 2003 state championship game. Dodge closed his high school career with an amazing 48-game winning streak.

Part of the attraction to North Texas for Dodge was the history of success. The Mean Green dominated the Sun Belt Conference from 2001-2004, winning four straight championships and posting an amazing 25-1 conference record during that time. After fleeting success in 2005 and 2006 Dodge was hired to help secure the foundation and restore the program to its winning ways.

Dodge had already been familiar with the Mean Green, having served as an offensive assistant coach in 1992 and 1993. During his tenure he helped direct the Mean Green offense to a per-game average of 348 yards and 26 points. He oversaw the progression of quarterback Mitch Maher, who holds numerous Mean Green offensive records, including pass completions, passing yards, and total offense. Maher went on to play for the Canadian Football Leagues’ Shreveport Pirates.

Prior to coming to North Texas, Dodge’s name had become synonymous with high school football success on the national scale. In addition to winning four class 5A state championships in five years, Southlake Carroll was recognized as national champions by USA Today in 2004 and 2006, and by PrepNation.com in 2005. Dodge amassed a 98-11 record overall at Carroll after taking over in 2000. In 2005, the Dragons set the Texas 5A state record for most points in a single season by tallying 764.

Dodge was named National Coach of the Year by Schutt Sports in 2004 and by USA Today in 2005. In 2006 PrepNation.com named him the Southwest Region coach of the year.

The last six winners of the Texas 5A Player of the Year have all been shaped by Dodge, including his son Riley who won the award in 2006 and 2007 and will come to North Texas this fall. Also on that list are Chase Daniel of Missouri, Greg McElroy of Alabama and Chase Wasson who finished at Oklahoma in 2007 and will be a graduate assistant coach for Dodge in 2008.

Overall, Dodge has witnessed the signing of more than 22 of his players to NCAA Div. I athletic scholarships in his time as a high school head coach.

A former starting quarterback for the University of Texas, Dodge threw for 2,791 yards and 18 touchdowns during his time in Austin. He still ranks ninth in both categories on the Longhorn’s all-time leaders list. His 96-yard touchdown pass against Rice in 1985 is tied for the second-longest play in UT’s history.

After graduating from Texas, Dodge served as offensive coordinator at Rockwall and McKinney High Schools. While coaching quarterbacks at Rockwall, he helped lead the Yellow Jackets to an appearance in the state’s title game. He also helped McKinney reach the state quarterfinals in 1991. After his stint at North Texas, Dodge served as head coach at Cameron’s C.H. Yoe High School from 1994-96.