The coaching carousel in Texas high school football keeps spinning, and this time it's brought a giant back to the sidelines. KXAN reports that Todd Dodge, the former Westlake coach with a cabinet full of championship trophies, is shaking off retirement to assume command at Lucas Lovejoy ISD. Dodge's return comes just two years after he hung up his whistle following a dominant decade-long run decorated with seven state titles.
The mastermind behind Westlake's football powerhouse and stints that turned eyes nationwide, Dodge is set to take over for outgoing coach Chris Ross at Lovejoy, where expectations will no doubt soar with Dodge's hiring. He's bringing with him an enviable resume that boasts a 71-8 record in the state playoffs and accolades including five 6A coach of the year honors and four nods as national coach of the year. As per The Dallas Morning News, Dodge's appointment was contingent on school board approval, which has been secured.
Dodge's connection to high school football magnificence is well-documented, particularly during his exceptional spells at Southlake Carroll and Westlake. His Westlake teams were veritable Goliaths, racking up three successive 6A titles from 2019 to 2021, and Lovejoy faithful will be hoping Dodge can conjure up similar success at the 5A Division II school. Despite the different divisions, alignment cycles indicate that there won't be a faceoff between Westlake and Lovejoy anytime soon, dousing any immediate hopes of a student vs. master playoff showdown.
There's more to this story than trophies and titles, though. Dodge's professional move doubles as a heartwarming family reunion. "This opportunity for Elizabeth and I is absolutely answered prayers," Dodge told KXAN. With five grandchildren and other kin within hugging distance, one could say the newly-minted Lovejoy coach is scoring big in the game of life too. Dodge will fill the shoes left by Ross, who compiled a remarkable 45-9 record before departing for his new role at Stephen F. Austin University. Meanwhile, Lovejoy's gridiron future rests in the hands of a proven champion. The bar is set high, but if history is any indication, Dodge just might be the man to lead the Leopards to new heights.
