Todd Dodge, former Westlake football coach, comes out of retirement to take over at Lovejoy ISD

Billy Gates
·2 min read
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AUSTIN (KXAN) — Todd Dodge just couldn’t stay away from the gridiron.

After retiring as the head coach at Westlake two years ago, he’ll be back on the sidelines for the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards. The Lovejoy ISD Board of Trustees approved his hiring as the head football coach and athletic director during a special meeting Saturday morning.

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Dodge’s storied high school football coaching career includes seven state championships, four at Southlake Carroll and three at Westlake, a 71-8 record in the state playoffs and five 6A coach of the year honors. He’s also been named a national coach of the year four times and his 2021 Chaparrals team scored the most points in a season in Texas football history with 908.

He’s the only coach in Texas history to win three consecutive state championships with two different teams. He led the Dragons to 5A championships from 2004-2006 (and one before that in 2002) and the Chaparrals to 6A titles from 2019-2021. During the title streak with Westlake, the Chaps won 54 consecutive games.

Five Westlake players signed letters of intent to play college football Wednesday. From left to right: Ethan Burke, Texas; Connor Robertson, Texas; Charlie Barnett, Army West Point; Cade Klubnik, Clemson; Indiana. Head coach Todd Dodge, who will retire at the end o the season, is behind them. (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum)
Five Westlake players signed letters of intent to play college football Wednesday. From left to right: Ethan Burke, Texas; Connor Robertson, Texas; Charlie Barnett, Army West Point; Cade Klubnik, Clemson; Bray Lynch, Indiana. Head coach Todd Dodge, who will retire at the end of the season, is behind them. (KXAN photo/Todd Bynum)

Perhaps most important for Dodge is that he’ll be close to his son, Riley, who is currently the coach at Southlake Carroll. Shortly after he announced his retirement at Westlake, he mentioned he wanted to spend more time with family in the DFW area.

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“This opportunity for Elizabeth and I is absolutely answered prayers,” Dodge said. “Our five grandchildren, our children Riley and Molly, and Elizabeth’s mother and sister will all be within 20 miles of us. That is truly a blessing.”

Dodge takes over for Chris Ross, who is now the offensive coordinator at Stephen F. Austin University. Ross led the Leopards for four seasons and was 45-9.

“His experience and accomplishments are unmatched,” said Katie Kordel, Lovejoy ISD superintendent. “There is no doubt that Coach Dodge will take Lovejoy’s legacy of excellence to the next level and provide our student athletes with a meaningful experience.”

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