Nipomo football coach led team to 4 league titles. He’s taking a new job
The head coach of Nipomo High School’s football team is resigning to take a new job in Georgia.
Tony Dodge, who was named head coach in 2015, announced on Twitter that he has “decided to accept a coaching and teaching position in Georgia that will benefit my family and my professional career.”
“Here at Nipomo, we accomplished a lot together, and there is plenty more to be proud of off the field,” Dodge said in his Twitter post. “A CIF championship and four league titles later, all you former and current Titans set the foundation of how to achieve success the right way.”
Dodge will move on to East Laurens High in Dublin, Georgia, a community located between Atlanta and Savannah, where he’ll be coaching defense, he told The Tribune.
“The thing that I’ll miss the most about Nipomo are my players and the relationships I developed with so many good people over the years,” Dodge said.
In his Twitter post, Dodge noted: “This decision tugged at my heart strings, but I know it’s the right decision.”
Dodge said that as a competitor he always looks for new opportunities and ways to improve.
“At this point in my life and professional career, I am ready for a new challenge,” he said.
Coaching at Nipomo
In his first year with the school in 2014, Dodge served as defensive coordinator of Nipomo’s CIF-Southern Section Northwest Division championship squad, which marked the Titans’ first CIF title.
Dodge led the Titans’ football squad to a 7-4 record last year (2-3 Mountain League) in a promising season that after a 6-0 start was hampered by COVID protocol disruptions and a playoff injury that sidelined star quarterback Nate Reese.
In his tenure as head coach, Dodge guided Nipomo to a 41-33 overall record and 22-7 league mark (Nipomo was part of the Northern, Ocean, Pac-4 and Mountain leagues during his time at the helm), according to MaxPreps.com.
Dodge’s teams went undeafeated in league play in 2016 and 2018.
Dodge also has served as a physical education teacher at Nipomo High since 2014.
Players and coaches salute Tony Dodge
A number of Nipomo players and opposing coaches expressed their appreciation on Twitter:
▪ “Thank you for taking a chance on me coach! Titan Pride!!”
▪ “This hurts, but thanks for everything you’ve done for me and thanks for guiding me throughout high school. I’ll always remember that. I’m going to miss it coach, but I’m going miss you more once you head out.”
▪ “Good luck coach! Always enjoyed coaching against you and talking with you! You’re a great coach!”
▪ “Tremendous competitor! You trained warriors and established a brand! Well deserved Coach!”
Position open for hire
Nipomo Athletic Director Russ Edwards, the Titans’ head football coach before Dodge took over, said that the school is opening the available head coaching position through the Lucia Mar Unified School District’s human resources department.
Applicants are encouraged to apply through the online application process.
“The position is open until filled,” Edwards said. “Once we believe that we have some quality candidates through the online application process, we will then conduct interviews and do our best to select the right person for the job.”
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