Wes Dodson was named the head coach of the LaGrange College football program in February 2023 and has led the Panthers through one of the most successful stretches in program history.
In 2025, Dodson guided LaGrange to its greatest season ever, finishing 10-2 overall and capturing the program’s first USA South Athletic Conference Championship with a perfect 7-0 conference record. The Panthers earned their second NCAA Division III Playoff appearance in program history and secured the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history with a thrilling 24-21 first-round win at Framingham State University. The Panthers set numerous program records during the historic campaign, earning the most wins in school history while producing nine All-Conference selections, four All-Region honorees, and two D3football.com All-Americans in Deon King Jr. and Legend Doggett. Under Dodson’s leadership, the LaGrange defense ranked among the nation’s best, finishing No. 1 in NCAA Division III in sacks (42), No. 4 in tackles for loss (102), and No. 5 in interceptions (20).
In 2024, Dodson led the Panthers to their second consecutive winning season and one of the best finishes in program history, posting a 6-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in USA South play. The six conference victories were the most in program history at the time, and Dodson was named the USA South Coach of the Year for his efforts. The Panthers also produced a record-setting group of All-Conference selections during the season.
Dodson’s coaching philosophy is built around three core principles: Family, Professionalism, and Citizenship. His commitment to these values, combined with a relentless work ethic and a blue-collar mentality, has helped transform the culture of LaGrange College football. Under Dodson’s leadership, the Panthers have emphasized developing student-athletes on and off the field while building a program centered around accountability, character, and championship standards.
Coaching is deeply rooted in Dodson’s family. His father, Richard Dodson, is a Hall of Fame football coach at NorthWood High School in Nappanee, Indiana. Dodson’s stepbrother, Nate Andrews, took over the NorthWood program in 2014 and has guided the team to two state runner-up finishes. His other stepbrother, Trevor Andrews, serves as the head football coach at the University of Dayton, while his uncle, Roger Dodson, is also a member of the Hall of Fame.
Prior to arriving at LaGrange College, Dodson spent 16 seasons (2007-2023) at Hampden-Sydney College in Farmville, Virginia. During his tenure with the Tigers, he served as defensive coordinator after beginning his time at Hampden-Sydney as the defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. Dodson helped guide the program to five conference championships and six NCAA Division III Playoff appearances, including Hampden-Sydney’s first NCAA postseason victory in 2013. He coached 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 & Mary, an NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program in Williamsburg, Virginia. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Western Michigan University, his alma mater, where he worked with both the offensive line and defensive secondary. In 2003, Dodson helped coach a Western Michigan offensive line unit that contributed to the nation’s eighth-ranked passing offense, averaging 308.4 yards per game.
A 2002 graduate of Western Michigan University, Dodson earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science while becoming a four-year letter winner for the Broncos at safety. During his playing career, Dodson helped Western Michigan capture the 1999 and 2000 Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division Championships. In 2000, the Broncos finished among the nation’s top defensive units, ranking 13th nationally in pass defense (178.0 yards per game), ninth in total defense (283.3 yards per game), and fourth in scoring defense (11.6 points per game).
A native of Nappanee, Indiana, Wes Dodson 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.
