LaGrange College names new football coach
Published 5:03 p.m. Sunday 29 January 2023
Wesley Dodson was named the new head coach of LaGrange College’s football program today. Dodson, who now serves as defense coordinator at Hampden-Sydney College, is expected to join LaGrange later this week.
“Wes rose to the top from a very diverse and qualified pool of more than 150 candidates,” said college president Susanna Baxter. “We are confident he will fulfill our vision of an excellent DIII football program dedicated to our student athletes and their academic and sporting success.”
Dodson has worked at Hampden-Sydney since 2007, first as an assistant coach and since 2008 as defensive coordinator. He also spent two years as an assistant coach at the College of William and Mary.
“Wes is a perfect fit for our program,” said vice president of athletics and recreation, Terlynn Olds. “He immediately connected with current team members and our employees.
“He has an in-depth knowledge of all phases of the game and experience working with members on campus and the wider community. And his recruiting connections within the state will allow him to hit the ground running.”
For his part, Dodson is ready to get to work.
“My family and I are very excited to join the LaGrange College family, Panther Athletics and the LaGrange community,” he said. “I want to thank President Baxter and Vice President Terlynn Olds for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to lead the Panther Football program. It’s their vision for LaGrange College and Panther Football that excites me about this opportunity.
“We will build this program on the basis of family, professionalism and citizenship. The focus is on academics with the goal of gaining a meaningful degree, as well as personal development. We will build and shape great men that the college and community will be proud of – with the ultimate goal of being a football championship program dedicated to excellence in everything we do.
“I look forward to meeting the team and working together to build a program that will delight LaGrange College, the LaGrange alumni and the LaGrange community.”
Dodson earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Western Michigan University, where he played both quarterback and free safety and was a letter winner for four years.
He and his wife Teresa have three children and two grandchildren.
Panther Football is one of 16 athletic teams at LaGrange College.
LaGrange College, Georgia’s oldest private college, was ranked by US News & World Report as one of the top ten schools and best value of 99 southern regional colleges. LaGrange is a four-year liberal arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It offers more than 50 areas of study with an emphasis on global engagement and service.