Bobby Dodd

Robert Lee ("Bobby") Dodd (November 11,1908 – June 21,1988) was an American college football coach at Georgia Tech. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame as a player and coach. [http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=50014 College Football Hall of Fame: Bobby "In Dodd We Trust" Dodd] ]

Biography

Bobby Dodd was born in Galax, Virginia. From there, he moved to Kingsport, Tennessee and excelled at several sports in high school. After playing quarterback at the University of Tennessee, he served as an assistant coach under William Alexander at Georgia Tech beginning in 1931. Alexander made the hire while Dodd was still a student at UT. Dodd succeeded Alexander in 1945 as the third head coach at the Institute. He retired from coaching after the 1966-67 season, compiling a 165-64-8 record. He also served as Athletic Director from 1950 until 1976. Bobby Dodd died in June 1988 at the age of 79.

Player

Bobby Dodd was quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers football team from 1928 to 1930,where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, playing under legendary coach Robert Neyland. Dodd wanted to play for Georgia Tech but was not offered a scholarship. Ironically, he would later go on the coach the Yellow Jackets. In the 26 games that Dodd started at UT, the Vols held a record of 24-1-1. [http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/doddbobb.shtml Bobby Dodd Biography] ]

Dodd was a difference in one famous game. During his sophomore year, in his first game of The Third Saturday in October rivalry against Alabama played in Tuscaloosa "Dodd threw a touchdown pass in that game to tie Alabama, 13-13. Then he punted out of bounds inside the Alabama 1-yard line and Tennessee got a safety on the next play to win, 15-13."

Another instance in Dodd's career foreshadowed the creativity he would use in his coaching career. "Against Florida in 1930 he got his teammates in a huddle and told them about a play he had used in high school(Dobyns-Bennett). When the ball was snapped, it was placed on the ground unattended. The players ran in one direction. Then the center returned, picked up the ball, and waltzed to the winning touchdown." Tennessee fans even developed a catch phrase for Dodd during his time there: "In Dodd we trust."

Dodd was named to Grantland Rice's All American team in 1930, making him the 2nd granted that honor at Tennessee (following Gene McEver). In 1959, Dodd was named to the College Football Hall of Fame as a player. He was elected in the same year as teammate Herman Hickman.

Coach

Bobby Dodd compiled a 165-64-8 record as head coach at Georgia Tech. He led Georgia Tech to two Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships (1951 and 1952) and one national championship in 1952. Under Dodd's leadership, Tech played in 13 major bowls, winning 9.

He was involved in encouraging Georgia Tech to leave the SEC, which it did in the early 1960s. Two of the important factors in this decision were that Dodd thought that Tech could become a successful independent like Notre Dame, and the SEC began limiting scholarships (before the NCAA imposed its own scholarship restrictions). The problem with the SEC scholarship limitations is that Dodd did not believe in exploiting student-athletes; he thought that if a player is promised a scholarship but ends up not being able to take the field due to injury, using up NCAA eligibility, or simply not making the squad that the player should still receive the scholarship.Fact|date=January 2007

Legacy

While Bobby Dodd was a determined competitor, he cared deeply for those who played for him. Unlike some other coaches, he did not believe in winning at any costs; he truly believed that the most important aspect of college football was the college football player.

As a testament to the character of Bobby Dodd, each year a Division I college coach who has demonstrated leadership both on and off the field is awarded the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award (presented by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation). He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1959 and as a coach in 1993. In 1988, Georgia Tech named its stadium Bobby Dodd Stadium in honor of the legendary coach. [cite news|first=Pat|last=Edwards|url=http://www.nique.net/issues/1999-10-01/campus%20life/8|title=Football program, traditions spurred by Dodd|work=The Technique|date=1999-10-01|accessdate=2007-04-10]

References

External links

* [http://www.bobbydoddfoundation.com/ Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation]
* [http://ramblinwreck.collegesports.com/genrel/071001aaa.html Bobby Dodd Stadium] at Historic Grant Field
* [http://www.bobbydodd.org/ Bobby Dodd Institute] - An organization that helps people with disabilities; named in honor of Coach Dodd for his assistance to the disabled
* [http://smokeys-trail.com/HallFame/dodd.html University of Tennessee's Hall of Fame] - Bobby Dodd's entry
* [http://utsports.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/fballamerica/dodd.htm Bobby Dodd as University of Tennessee All-American]
* [http://www.bobbydoddfoundation.com/coachbobbydodd.htm Bobby Dodd biography]
* [http://ramblinwreck.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/dodd_bobby00.html Bobby Dodd biography]