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"I am proud of a program that helps build communities, brings positive energy to our campus, and develops our student-athletes."
- Coach Dodson
Jarod Dodson enters his second season with the Old Dominion football program having joined the Monarch coaching staff in March of 2010. This fall, Dodson was also named the Monarchs' Assistant Defensive Coordinator.
In his first season at ODU, Dodson and the Monarchs captured an 8-3 overall mark as they head into its inaugural Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) season.
Dodson came to the Monarchs after serving as the Special Teams Co-Coordinator and Defensive Backs coach at the University of Buffalo.
Prior to joining the Bulls staff, Dodson served at South Dakota for five seasons.
In his first year as USD's defensive coordinator in 2008, Dodson helped form one of the top units in NCAA Division I FCS and the Great West Conference.
The Coyotes allowed 18.6 points per game, which ranked 14th nationally and best in the Great West Conference. The Coyotes were also ranked 24th nationally in total defense (313.6 yards per game), which was also best in the GWC. The Coyotes also had the top-ranked pass defense in the GWC (191.7 yards per game), and led the league in turnovers forced (24). USD also had seven players earn postseason honors from the GWC. The Coyotes also surrendered the fewest passing touchdowns of any team in the league and led the league in interceptions under Dodson's guidance. The Coyotes also boasted the top red-zone defense in the GWC.
Following the 2007 season, Dodson was a finalist for the AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year award. The award was first presented in 1997 and was created to honor assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement. Dodson pulled double duties in 2007, working with the wide receivers and defensive backs. The production from the Coyote receivers helped the offense rank 6th in the nation in total offense (496.2 ypg) and 49th in passing offense (232.6 ypg).
In 2006, Dodson served as the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. He helped coach a Coyote defense that ranked second in the NCC in scoring defense (19.5 points per game) and ranked first in the NCC and fourth nationally in rushing defense at 73.8 yards per game.
In 2005, Dodson was the wide receivers coach and helped coach the best offense in the nation as USD advanced to the second round of the NCAA DII playoffs, finishing 9-4 and was ranked 13th in the final AFCA poll.
Before joining the USD coaching staff, he served as the special teams coordinator at Michigan Tech. Dodson, had worked special teams and defense (linebackers, defensive backs) at Michigan Tech during the 2000-01 season.
A native of Palmdale, Calif., he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in recreation in 1999 and received a Master of Arts degree in health, physical education and recreation in 2000 from USD. Jarod and his wife, Shannon, have four daughters, Mariah, LaRae, JaeLynn and Kendyl.
The Dodson File:
Birthday: June 19
Hometown: Palmdale, Calif.
College: South Dakota '99
High School: Highland
Family: Wife - Shannon, Daughters - Mariah (16), LaRae (5), JaeLynn (4), Kendyl (2)
Recruiting Areas:
Virginia (Richmond Metro Area, Petersburg, Fredericksburg, Northern Neck, Stafford Highway 29 Corridor, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Danville), Idaho, Montana, North, Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
Coaching History:
2009 - Buffalo - Cornerbacks
2008 - South Dakota - Defensive Coordinator
2007 - South Dakota - Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs
2006 - South Dakota - Defensive Backs/Special Teams
2005 - South Dakota - Wide Receivers
2000 - 2004 - Michigan Tech - Linebackers/Defensive Backs/Special Teams