Dodge takes North Texas job

Harry · December 13, 2006

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...bc/4398430.html

Dec. 13, 2006, 12:08AM

Coach has led Southlake Carroll to three state titles

DENTON - Todd Dodge was hired as coach at North Texas on Tuesday, making the rare jump from high school to Division I-A after an unprecedented run of success at Southlake Carroll.

Dodge, a former Texas quarterback, has coached Carroll to a 77-1 record in Texas' highest classification. The Dragons have won 46 consecutive games and are two wins from their third straight state title and fourth in five years. They have a 50-game regular-season winning streak.

"I'm representing Texas high school coaches," Dodge said in a news conference in front of about 150 North Texas boosters and fans. "It's not very often that a guy like me gets an opportunity like this."

Dodge was the offensive coordinator at UNT in 1992-93. Last year, he interviewed with Bill Parcells for an opening on the Dallas Cowboys staff, and he turned down an interview for the opening at Rice.

"All those were flattering," said Dodge, who admitted he thought the call from Parcells was a joke being played on him by a fellow coach. "Last year about this time Rice called and showed interest in me. It was one of those deals that didn't fit my family at the time."

Dodge replaces Darrell Dickey, who was fired midway through a 3-9 season that left him with a 42-64 record over nine years. Under Dickey, the Mean Green went to the New Orleans Bowl as Sun Belt Conference champion four straight times from 2001-04.

North Texas averaged almost 16,000 fans per game, or about 30,000 fewer than the crowd for Carroll's playoff 22-21 win against Euless Trinity at Texas Stadium last month.