Men's Track & Field | 4/4/2018 7:29:00 AM
LAKELAND, Fla.—Southeastern University Director of Athletics
Drew Watson has announced that Nick Dodson has been hired as head coach for the Fire's inaugural track and field program. The Fire will begin official competition in the sport during the 2018-19 school year.
Dodson is no stranger to rookie track programs, having been the first signee in the history of Shorter University's program., He also helped build Florida Tech's track program, serving as an assistant in its first season in 2012.
"Nick brings a unique skill set to Southeastern," said Watson. "He is a positive, high energy individual who has been a part of a number of start-up programs as a student-athlete and coach. He understands the type of student-athlete who succeeds at SEU and I'm confident he can build a winning program here, both on and off the track."
Most recently, Dodson has been the head track and cross country coach at Loyola University in New Orleans. Last season, Dodson and the Wolfpack recorded a second-place finish at the Southern States Athletic Conference Championship and sent seven athletes to the NAIA National Championships. Leah Banks became the first All-American in program history with a seventh-place finish in the Heptathlon. Additionally, Dodson spent a season at Brewton-Parker, helping Devin Frails win the SSAC championship in the 400 with a school and conference record of 48.54.
"I'm excited to join the SEU Fire family," said Dodson. "I have been blessed beyond belief to continue to work in collegiate athletics and coach a sport I love dearly. I have dreamed about starting my own program for a long time and God has blessed me with that opportunity at a wonderful university."
At Shorter, Dodson was a four-time Mid-South Conference champion in the 400 hurdles, and held school records for the indoor 200, 4x400 relay, 4x100 relay, and the 400 hurdles. In 2011, he was the NAIA National Champion in the 400m hurdles, and was a three-time runner-up in the event. Dodson was an 11-time All-American, and two-time Champions of Character award recipient.
Dodson also ran in the 2012 Olympic Trials in the 400 hurdles. He holds a USA Track and Field Level 2 coaching certification, attending the USATF Elite Coaches Camp in 2014, and received an expert rating strength and conditioning training certification.
Dodson and his wife Latasha will make the move to Lakeland later this month.
