Would you hire Todd Dodge as Head Coach?

[Danny Noonan]

Purely hypothetical question. Not a get rid of Phil Bennet thread and certainly don't want it to be. Let's just say Phil took the KSU job and took all his assistants with him, and Dodge was interviewing for college coaching positions (which he isn't for two more years).

I'm sure any school in Texas would hire him as an assistant. Probably any school other than Texas or A&M would hire him as a coordinator. Would you hire him as a Head Coach at SMU?

If you asked me this last year, I would've said no. But after having time to think it over, I think I would have no problem hiring a guy like Dodge as a Head Coach. True, the guy has no experience at this level, but I think there's no doubt he will eventually be a great college coach once he decides to make that move. Any negatives would be offset by the excitement that would surround the program. There isn't a high school player in the state that hasn't heard of him, especially in the Metroplex. I can only imagine recruiting would be extrordinary under him.

I was watching them play this weekend and wondering what it would take to get a guy like him to the hilltop, and came to the conclusion that nothing short of the head job would get him here.

So would you do it?

[LakeHighlandsPony]

If I was SMU -I would hire him an a minute! If I was UT or A&M I would bring him as a coodinator first.

[OC Mustang]

Won't leave SLC until his son, who is a sophomore, I think is done.
Then, you can bet your hind end that he would stand a good chance at a rock solid college job.

The guy has a better high school program than most colleges.
Heck, they have better facilities than most pro-teams (not stadium, but their practice facilities).

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

There's no way I would hire him.

In his professional career, he hasn't demonstrated the ability to communicate with today's African-American athlete which is essential at the Division I-A level.

[Sam I Am]

UH took a championship coach from HS from Clas 4A. Look at his record and decide if a HS coach can staright to head coach at a CUSA school.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

Be careful.....Gerry Faust was a great High School coach!

[LakeHighlandsPony]

UH took a championship coach from HS from Clas 4A. Look at his record and decide if a HS coach can staright to head coach at a CUSA school.

Actually Art Briles was an Asst. at Tech but I think he is doing a great job at Cougar High. They seem to be out recruiting us.

[LakeHighlandsPony]

There's no way I would hire him.

In his professional career, he hasn't demonstrated the ability to communicate with today's African-American athlete which is essential at the Division I-A level.

Is this a Joke?

[expony18]

There's no way I would hire him.

In his professional career, he hasn't demonstrated the ability to communicate with today's African-American athlete which is essential at the Division I-A level.

im not sure if youve been to southlake but it has probably the smallest african american population in texas, if you take away the pros who have their residents here. however, im not sure if you noticed he has tre newton at running back (soph/ aa), and has done an incredbie job with that. and look the guys he's winning with... undersized white boys whose talent in many situations is far less then their competition. he wins with whoever comes through his program. black, white, etc. dodge knows how to win. great coach great program! when riley graduates sign him, hire dodge as the OC and QB coach. Let's not forget PB is our guy, and this is his team, he's had chances to leave and stuck with SMU, and is turning the program (although a little slower then some would like).

How great would it be PB (defesive minded coach) and todd dodge (offensive minded coach). It would be like having the colts/usc offensive scheme and a defensive scheme like bears... haha now all we need is some players to PHIL the gaps!!

[Bergermeister]

I doubt Todd Dodge would consider SMU a sensible career move. Funny his name was thown out though... anybody remember when Tim Edwards was considered a "contender" for the job?

[cusa'06champs]

I would be offering his son (Riley) a full ride this year. This kid is going to be better than any QB Carroll has had in the last four years.
Given that I am an alumnus of SLC and played a couple of years under Dodge and his crew I must say that this guy is a magician. Players love him and will buy into his scheme. The African American comment is absolutely ridiculous. And I wouldn't be surprised if Dodge could come in here and take Justin Willis (player he beat twice last year) and turn him into a dominant QB. Just like at Carroll, SMU will never have the biggest or fastest players, but the team can definetily have the best scheme in football.
Not to mention signing Dodge would have a HUGE impact on recruiting within the DFW area. And looking at the numbers this seems to be a big problem for us. Top quaterbacks would love to get into his offense. If we do not offer him the job we would be crazy.

[SMUguy]

.... Is this a Joke?

I'd bet everything I own on it. Look back, and this poster seems to have his tongue surgically implanted in his cheek.

And .... we have a coach.

[BrianTinBigD]

Let's look at the stats on this guy:


2004 National High School Coach of the Year
Back to Back High School National Championships
1 loss since moving to 5A(that was in the state championship game)
3 5A State Championships
4 Straight State Finals

Not bad stats since joining SLC in 2000.

Flirted with the Allen job in 2002(if I am not mistaken) but got a contract extension with SLC and Allen has been beaten the last 3 years in the playoffs by SLC.

He has been included on lists as possible options for the Rice and Colorado jobs. He could probably have the OC position at any BCS football program and could be hired as a head coach at any non-BCS program as well in 2 years.

Jerry Faust was no Todd Dodge. He was a high school coach at a private Catholic school that can recruit its players. You can't do that in Texas. At SLC you have to work with what you are dealt. I am sure that some people move to the area to play for Dodge but it is not like there kids moving from South Dallas to SLC. It is just not economically feasible.

I would love Dodge as the OC or head coach. If SMU wins next year and Bennett gets a BCS gig then I would offer Dodge in a heartbeat the HC job. You get his son as part of the package and you get a major pipeline into all the talent in the metroplex because everybody knows Todd Dodge.

[Mustangs35SMU]

Back to Back High School National Championships

Please tell me how they can call themselves National Champions on the HS level. These past two years, they didn't even play out of State.

Do they have a trophy calling themselves National Champions? Have they faced every other team outside of Texas? Sorry I just hate when High Schools call themselves National Champions when...
1) They have never played out of State (SLC)
2) They only have the media calling them that (SLC)

And don't say because they have the longest winning streak in the nation because that belongs to Independence of North Carolina with a 92 game winning streak, 2nd best ever streak only to an 151 game one by DLS of Cali.

[Bergermeister]

What difference does it make? When you're BIGtime winners, you can be anything you want... including national champions. The Lobos can be City Champs if they want to. No problem.