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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.^[1]

Contents 1 Biography 2 Playing career 3 Coaching career 4 Legacy 5 References 6 External links

Robert Lee ("Bobby") Dodd was born in Galax, Virginia. Bobby Dodd 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. Bobby 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.

He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1959 and as a coach in 1993.^[1] In 1988, Georgia Tech named its stadium Bobby Dodd Stadium in honor of the legendary coach.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[2]

Dodd was a difference in one famous game. In the 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."^[2]

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. 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."^[1] Tennessee fans even developed a catch phrase for Dodd during his time there: "In Dodd we trust."^[1]

Dodd was named to Grantland Rice's All American team in 1930, making him the 2nd granted that honor at Tennesse (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.

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.^{[citation needed]}

While Bobby Dodd was a determined competitor, he cared deeply for those who played for him. Unlike other coaches that he faced in the SEC, 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).

Preceded by William Alexander

Georgia Tech Head Football Coach 1945– 1966

Succeeded by Bud Carson

• Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation
• Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field
• Bobby Dodd Institute - An organization that helps people with disabilities; named in honor of Coach Dodd for his assistance to the disabled
• University of Tennessee's Hall of Fame - Bobby Dodd's entry
• Bobby Dodd as University of Tennessee All-American
• Bobby Dodd biography
• Bobby Dodd biography