Major ACC College Football Program Hires 100-Win Coach

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Major ACC College Football Program Hires 100-Win Coach

The college football coaching carousel is about as unpredictable as it gets, and Christmas Eve provided a tremendous example of this.

As the SMU Mustangs look to reload and return to the College Football Playoff in 2026, they have shown they are fully invested in contending for titles. Not only did they prevent head coach Rhett Lashlee from being poached by Arkansas with an extension that runs through 2032, but they also dipped into the high school ranks to add one of the most renowned coaches in the business to their staff.

As revealed on Wednesday by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Mustangs hired Southlake Carroll head coach Riley Dodge as the tight ends coach/passing-game coordinator.

Sources: SMU is hiring Riley Dodge as an assistant coach, as he’ll coach tight ends and be the pass-game coordinator,” wrote Thamel. “He’s the longtime coach at Southlake Carroll in the Dallas area, as he played for two state titles and went 108-10 in eight seasons.”

The Dodge family is one of the most well-respected families in the Texas high school football space, as his father Todd, has won seven state championships.

The younger Dodge has also helped produce notable recruits such as quarterback Quinn Ewers (Ohio State/Texas), wide receiver Brady Boyd (Minnesota/Texas Tech/ Utah State), wide receiver Brock Boyd (Ohio State signee) and quarterback Angelo Renda (Pitt signee).

Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee leads his team to the field before the 2024 ACC Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at Bank of America Stadium.Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Created:

Dodge and the Dragons fell to DeSoto in the Texas Conference 6A Division 2 state semifinal earlier this month.

He will help lead an offense headlined by senior quarterback Kevin Jennings, who threw for 3,363 with 26 touchdowns to 10 interceptions this season. Dodge took to X to send a farewell to Southlake Carroll.

“I love you Southlake, Texas!!! #ProtectTheTradition,” wrote Dodge.

With the No. 25 recruiting class in college football, stars like Jennings returning and a heavy push in the transfer portal, the Mustangs will likely be College Football Playoff contenders and ACC frontrunners next season.

Related: Georgia’s Kirby Smart Saves College Football’s Best Quote for Late December

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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