LaGrange College

Wes Dodson is entering his third season as the head coach of the LaGrange College football team, where he has already made a notable impact by focusing on three core principles: family, professionalism, and citizenship. His commitment to these values, along with a strong work ethic, has sparked a cultural transformation within the program and reignited enthusiasm among fans and players alike. 

In 2024, Dodson led the Panthers to their second-best finish in school history, posting a 6-4 (6-2 USA South) record and a second place finish in the USA South conference. Dodson was awarded the conference's Coach of the Year title for his efforts, as well as a whole host of all-conference honorees from the season's record-breaking squad.

Coaching is deeply rooted in Dodson’s family. His father, Richard Dodson, is a Hall of Fame football coach from NorthWood High School in Nappanee, Indiana. Dodson’s stepbrother, Nate Andrews, took over the program at NorthWood in 2014 and has guided the team to two state runner-up finishes. Another stepbrother, Trevor Andrews, is the head coach at the University of Dayton, while his uncle, Roger Dodson, is also celebrated in the Hall of Fame. 

Prior to LaGrange, Coach Wes Dodson spent 16 seasons (2007-2023) at Hampden-Sydney College in Farmville, Virginia. He spent one season as the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator before being elevated to defensive coordinator. During his time at Hampden-Sydney, Dodson helped lead the program to five conference championships and six NCAA Division III playoff appearances, including the program’s first postseason win in 2013. Dodson also produced nine Defensive All-Americans, three Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Defensive Players of the Year, one ODAC Defensive Rookie of the Year, and 79 All-Conference defensive players. 

From 2005-2007, Dodson coached safeties and special teams at the College of William and Mary, an FCS college in Williamsburg, Virginia. He also spent three seasons as a graduate assistant at Western Michigan University, his alma mater, coaching the offensive line and defensive secondary. In 2003, Dodson’s offensive line contributed to Western Michigan’s eighth-ranked passing offense (308.4). 


In 2002, Dodson received his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Western Michigan, where he was a four-year letter winner for the Broncos at safety. Dodson was an instrumental piece to Western Michigan’s Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division Championship in 2000, helping the Broncos to several high statistical rankings, 13th in the nation in pass defense (178.0), ninth in total defense (283.3), and fourth in scoring defense (11.6). 

Born and raised in Nappanee, Indiana, Wes Dodson now resides in LaGrange with his wife, Teresa, and their son, Ben. The family also includes his stepchildren, TJ and Alex, and step-granddaughters, Maeve and Millie.