Stetson University Athletics

Jarod Dodson joined the Stetson Football staff in 2025 and serves as Offensive Coordinator, Associate Head Coach and Quarterbacks Coach… A veteran coach with more than 25 years of collegiate experience, Dodson brought a résumé spanning multiple levels of NCAA football and the NAIA to DeLand. Twice named a national finalist for AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year, Dodson has experience as a head coach, coordinator and position coach… His career includes stops at St. Thomas, Buffalo, Alfred State, South Dakota Mines, Old Dominion, South Dakota and Michigan Tech. In his first season at Stetson, Dodson helped guide an offense that produced a program-record 384 rushing yards against Davidson and powered the Hatters to back-to-back Pioneer Football League victories for the first time since 2019. At Stetson, Dodson oversees the Hatters' offense while working directly with the quarterbacks and serving as associate head coach… His extensive coaching background provides experience in offensive development, game planning, quarterback play and overall program leadership. Dodson's first season in DeLand produced several offensive milestones, highlighted by a record-setting rushing performance and consecutive conference victories. His second season began with another balanced offensive performance as Stetson produced 500 yards of total offense in a 45-10 home-opening victory over Webber International. Dodson's first season at Stetson included a breakthrough stretch in Pioneer Football League play during October. The Hatters defeated Davidson, 35-32, behind a program-record 384 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns… The victory marked Stetson's first PFL win since Oct. 7, 2023 and its first home conference victory since 2022. Quarterback Chris Stephenson played a major role in the record-setting attack, rushing for 135 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries while completing 7 of 9 passes for 90 yards. One week later, Stetson defeated Morehead State, 21-14, to earn consecutive PFL victories for the first time since 2019. The Hatters rushed for another 242 yards against the Eagles… Stephenson finished with 106 rushing yards and a touchdown while also throwing a touchdown pass. Across the two conference victories, Stetson accumulated 626 rushing yards. Stetson's offense delivered a balanced performance in its 2026 home opener, rolling past Webber International, 45-10, at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. The Hatters accumulated 500 yards of total offense while averaging 8.3 yards per play… Stetson threw for 318 yards and rushed for another 182 while converting 10 of 14 third-down opportunities. The offense did not commit a turnover and scored the game's first 31 points. Working directly with Stetson's quarterbacks, Dodson combines individual position development with responsibility for the overall structure and execution of the Hatters' offense. His approach draws on more than two decades of experience coaching across multiple offensive systems and levels of college football. Quarterback Thomas von Grote delivered one of the early highlights of the 2026 season in the victory over Webber International, completing 19 of 24 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. The passing attack produced two 100-yard receivers as Wyatt Rogers finished with 123 yards and a touchdown while Troy Flowers added 101 yards and a score. Dodson's offense has demonstrated the ability to create explosive plays through both the running and passing games. The 2025 Davidson victory featured a program-record 384 rushing yards, while Stetson followed with 242 more on the ground against Morehead State. In the 2026 win over Webber International, the Hatters showed greater balance, pairing 318 passing yards with 182 rushing yards. Chris Stephenson provided the biggest plays on the ground against Webber, finishing with 113 yards and two touchdowns on only three carries, including a pair of 57-yard touchdown runs. Five different Hatters reached the end zone as Stetson combined explosive production with third-down efficiency and turnover-free football. Immediately before joining Stetson, Dodson coached the wide receivers at the University of St. Thomas. The position provided Dodson with familiarity with the Pioneer Football League before his move to DeLand and added another position group to a coaching career that has included responsibilities throughout an offense. His time at St. Thomas followed previous coaching stops at Buffalo, Alfred State and several other collegiate programs. Dodson spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons on the coaching staff at the University at Buffalo. The opportunity added FBS coaching experience to a résumé that has included stops across multiple levels of collegiate football. His time at Buffalo followed his tenure as head coach at Alfred State. Dodson served as the head football coach at Alfred State from 2015-17… During his tenure, he helped guide the program through its transition into NCAA Division III competition. The position added head-coaching, program-building and administrative experience to an already extensive coaching background. His time leading Alfred State also provided experience overseeing all areas of a collegiate football program before he returned to an assistant coaching role at Buffalo. Dodson returned to his alma mater, the University of South Dakota, as a coach and produced one of the most recognized stretches of his career. His work earned national recognition in consecutive seasons as he was selected as a finalist for AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year in both 2007 and 2008. The back-to-back recognition established Dodson among the nation's top assistant-coaching candidates during his tenure with the Coyotes. Dodson's career has taken him across multiple levels and regions of college football… Along with Stetson, St. Thomas, Buffalo, Alfred State and South Dakota, his résumé includes coaching positions at South Dakota Mines, Old Dominion and Michigan Tech. That range of experience has allowed Dodson to work within different offensive systems, program structures and levels of competition. His career has included responsibilities as a head coach, associate head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and position coach. Before beginning his coaching career, Dodson played defensive back at the University of South Dakota. He developed into a standout member of the Coyotes' secondary before transitioning into coaching and eventually returning to his alma mater as an assistant. His background as a defensive player combined with decades of offensive coaching experience gives Dodson perspective from both sides of the football. Dodson and his wife, Shannon, have four daughters — Mariah, LaRae, JaeLynn and Kendyl — and one grandson, Kaiden.