He was the first Texas high school quarterback to throw for more than 3000 yards in a season. He is Todd Dodge of Port Arthur Jefferson.
The Player
Dodge was named the District Offensive Player of the Year in 1979 and led Class 4A after passing for 2094 yards and 30 touchdowns.
As a senior in 1980, he led the Yellowjackets to a 14-0. He passed for 3135 yards and 30 touchdowns. Dodge was named District Offensive Player of the Year, 4A All-State, and a Parade All-American.
The Yellowjackets earned a spot in the 4A State Championship Game against Odessa Permian, where they lost 28-19. Dodge set state records for completions in a career (382) and in a single season (221).
He signed to play college ball at the University of Texas for head coach Fred Akers. As a freshman in 1982, Dodge got his first start as a freshman in the Sun Bowl, going 6 of 22 for 50 yards. Dodge led the Longhorns to bowl appearances in 1983 and 1984.
His career numbers at Texas: 2794 yards, 18 touchdowns, 34 INTs, and 44% completion percentage.
The Coach
After several stops in the coaching ranks, Dodge landed at Southlake Carroll High School at the beginning of the new millennium.
From 2000-2006, Dodge coached the Dragons to four 5A state championships (2002, 2004-2006) and missed a fifth consecutive state title in 2003, losing to Katy 16-15.
Dodge coached some outstanding quarterbacks during his time at Southlake: Chase Daniel (Missouri), Greg McElroy (National Champion at Alabama), his son Riley Dodge, and Chase Wasson.
He also coached against some pretty good quarterbacks as well, like Andy Dalton (Katy-TCU) and Nick Foles (Austin Westlake-Arizona).
2002 5A Championship Game
The Dragons went 16-0 and faced off against Smithson Valley in the 6A title game. QB Chase Wasson threw for 490 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 45-14 win.
2004 5A Championship Season
After losing out on the state championship by one point in a loss to Katy in 2003, Dodge led the undefeated (16-0) Dragons into the 6A title game once again, with QB Chase Daniel calling the signals under center.
Against a familiar opponent in Smithson Valley, Daniel rushed for 84 yards and passed for 295 yards and a touchdown for a narrow 27-24 win.
The Dragons were named High School National Champions by USA Today.
2005 5A Championship Season
Coach Dodge kept up his winning ways with yet another undefeated team (16-0). The next man up at the quarterback position was Greg McElroy as he led the Dragons into the 6A title game against Katy, led by QB Andy Dalton.
McElroy won the battle of the quarterbacks, throwing for 328 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-20 win.
Southlake Carroll was once again named High School National Champions.
2006 5A Championship Season
All in the family was the theme in ’06 with the elder Dodge coached his quarterback son Riley to another undefeated season (16-0) and another appearance in the 6A title game, this time against QB Nick Foles and Austin Westlake.
Riley passed for 303 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-29 win and their third consecutive state title.
Dodge amassed a 98-11 coaching record with the Dragons.
After a four-year stint (2007-2010) and a 6-37 head coaching record at North Texas, Dodge later took over as head coach at Austin Westlake High School in 2014.
He led the Chaparrals to a 6A state championship game appearance in 2015 (21-14 loss to Galena Park North Shore) and back-to-back 6A state titles in 2019 and 2020.
2019 6A Championship Season
Dodge led Austin Westlake to a 15-1 record and the 6A state championship game against Denton Guyer. Chaparrals QB Kirkland Michaux threw for 285 yards and 3 touchdowns and an INT in a 24-0 win. Just another day at the office for Coach Dodge.
2020 6A Championship Season-The “Dodge Bowl”
In a COVID-19 impacted season, Dodge managed to coach yet another undefeated season (14-0). The Chaps would face off against a familiar foe in Southlake Carroll and a familiar name on the other sideline. The Dragons head coach is Riley Dodge, Todd’s son.
But Westlake was ready to play, outscoring Southlake Carroll 17-0 in the 3rd quarter on their way to a 52-34 victory. The Dragons were held to just 50 yards rushing for the game.
Chaparrals quarterback Cade Klubnik accounted for 317 total yards and three touchdowns, while the Dragons QB Quinn Ewers passed for 351 yards and three touchdowns, but did throw two INTs and was sacked three times.
Klubnik was named the Offensive MVP of the game.
Todd Dodge has an 88-13 record at Austin Westlake.
Farewell Tour
Todd Dodge comes into the 2021 season with a 217-72 overall coaching record and six state championships.
He announced earlier this year that he will retire from coaching after the completion of the 2021 season.
He was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
A great Texas high school quarterback, Dodge found his true calling as a football coach and a leader of men. He is a legend in Texas high school football, both as a player and a coach.
