Tim Dodson stepping down as head coach
Tim Dodson is retiring after serving 20 seasons as head football coach at Siuslaw High School.
"An end of an era has officially arrived," according to a post on the team's Facebook page. "Coach Tim Dodson is stepping down as head coach of Siuslaw football to spend more time with his family.
"We thank Coach Dodson for his dedication to excellence. The School District has begun the process of selecting a new head coach to be named this summer."
Dodson was 152-58 in his 20 seasons, which included a state championship in 2006. That's a winning percentage of .724.
Dodson succeeded Len Lutero, who was head coach from 1967-95. Lutero was 196-90-3 in his 29 seasons, a winning percentage of .683.
SCHOOL BEGINS HIRING PROCESS
"It's the same process as for all staff given that these people have such
close contact to students. We post a vacancy, accept applications, job
closes, review applicants materials with a predetermined hiring team looking
at experience relevant to position, education, skills, etc., determine who
to interview, interview with our committee based on predetermined questions,
deliberate and choose who to offer a position to. They must successfully
pass all necessary checks prior to employment - reference checks, background
checks, etc. They also need to complete all of their OSAA safety trainings."
Dodson was the starting quarterback for the Lutero team that shared the state title in 1981, when the Vikings played South Umpqua to a scoreless tie in the AA championship game.
Siuslaw won the 4A state title in 2006, beating Sisters in the final, 21-14, in overtime, in a game played Dec. 9 at Autzen Stadium.
The Vikings beat Cottage Grove 55-7, Central 27-0 and Ontario 34-7 to reach the championship game.
Siuslaw also finished as 4A state runnerup in 2011, losing 45-40 to La Salle Prep on Dec. 3 at Hillsboro Stadium.
The Vikings qualified for the postseason in 16 of 20 seasons under Dodson, going 20-15.
Speculation of Dodson's decision began during last season, and it has been an open secret in the community for months that he was retiring.
The Vikings also will be looking for a new head boys basketball coach. Retired college basketball coach Will Biggs is leaving after one season.
Jamin Pool, an assistant coach under both Dodson and Biggs, is expected to be considered for one of the positions.
Pool is a physical education teacher at Siuslaw High School.
