Christmas Eve is meant for joy, cheer and one last present under the tree — not the Grinch showing up to swipe your head football coach.
Yet that’s exactly what Carroll ISD and Dragon fans received when Riley Dodge announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he has accepted a new role at SMU.
Dodge, who held the position of athletic director and head football coach at Carroll High School, is stepping away from the storied Texas high school program to take a position on the SMU Mustangs coaching staff as passing game coordinator and tight ends coach under head coach Rhett Lashlee. The move marks Dodge’s transition from one of the most successful jobs in Texas high school football to the collegiate ranks, a step he hinted at earlier this year even while reaffirming his commitment to Carroll.
Dodge’s tenure at Southlake Carroll has been nothing short of remarkable. Since being hired as head coach in 2018 at just 29 years old, he compiled an extraordinary 108–10 record over eight seasons, cementing his reputation as one of the state’s top young coaches. Under his leadership, the Dragons captured multiple district championships, five regional titles, and made two appearances in the UIL state championship game — including the Class 6A Division I title game in 2020 and the Class 6A Division II finals in 2024.
In October 2025, Dodge reached a significant milestone, notching his 100th career win faster than almost any coach in Texas high school history, finishing as the second-fastest to reach the mark at that level. His teams were consistently among the top in the state and even gained national recognition, with the Dragons ranked as high as No. 3 nationally this past season before a deep playoff run concluded in the semifinals.
Riley Dodge was a superstar quarterback at Carroll in the early 2000's.
"Riley Dodge's impact on our students, families and community goes far beyond football," said Cam Bryan, Carroll ISD Board President, in a post on X. "He is a leader of integrity who has represented Carroll ISD with distinction, and we are deeply grateful for the commitment and passion he has shown our Dragons. We wish him every success in this next chapter."
A former standout quarterback at Carroll himself, Dodge’s connection to the program runs deep. As a player, he led the Dragons to multiple state championships, threw for more than 7,000 yards and over 90 touchdowns, and earned honors such as Texas High School Player of the Year, MaxPreps National Player of the Year, and Parade All-American recognition in 2006–07. He went on to play collegiately at North Texas and McNeese State before beginning his coaching career with stops at Texas A&M and the University of Texas.
Beyond wins and titles, Dodge has developed numerous Division I prospects, coached future NFL talent such as Quinn Ewers and RJ Mickens, and elevated the Carroll program’s profile nationally.
While his departure marks the end of an era for the Dragons, his move to SMU opens a new chapter in a coaching career that continues to climb.