Friday, March 29, 2024

Coach Dodge Named 2019 Tom Landry Coach of the Year

In a ceremony on Monday, December 9, Dragon Football coach Riley Dodge was named the 2019 Landry Award Coach of the Year.

The Landry Award also recognizes a Coach of the Year, who exemplifies the Christian values that defined Tom Landry on and off the field. A coach’s job is first about teaching life skills and molding young lives. They are shaping young people into the leaders of tomorrow. So many coaches in North Texas donate their time to be more than just a coach to kids. They are father figures, friends and, most of all, role models. They nurture them with unconditional love and turn them into the kind of adults that today’s world needs.

The other finalists were: Carlos Lynn, Cedar Hill High School; Michael Odle, Lewisville High School; Marty Secord, Frisco Wakeland High School, and Bob Wager, Arlington Martin High School.

The Dragon recently wrapped up their season with an overall record of 13-1 after falling to Duncanville in the regional final. Since taking over the program, the Dragons are 26-2 under Coach Dodge.

While Steve Keasler is pleased with the outcome on the field, he is more impressed with the way Coach Dodge leads the players off the field.

“Having a successful program on the field is important, but we are in the business of getting kids ready for the real world,” Keasler said. “Coach Dodge and his program are about family, faith, and football they spend just as much time working on teaching and preparation for the competition as he does building character, resiliency, and toughness with his players. He is setting them up for success both on the field, in the classroom, and in the future.” We have one of the best coaches leading one of the best programs in the state. I am extremely proud of him and his staff.

CBS 11 will air the ceremony Friday, Dec. 27 at 6:30 p.m.

An image of a family bowling and dining

Photo of a solar eclipse