Southeast assistant lands Division I job

Jeff Dodson joined the Southeast Missouri State baseball program believing it would help prepare him to become a Division I head coach.

Dodson will get to put that theory to the test as he was hired Friday to lead the University of North Dakota baseball program. He begins his new job July 7.

Dodson, who has served as Southeast's pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, leaves the Redhawks with mixed emotions after five seasons on Mark Hogan's staff.

"You establish a relationship with someone like coach Hogan," Dodson said. "The people in town really made me feel welcome. It's always tough to leave, but it's a great opportunity for me. The experience I got here, getting to know Division I baseball, will be invaluable."

Dodson has been a college head coach before, spending seven seasons at NAIA Martin Methodist before becoming a Southeast assistant. He compiled a 190-144 record at Martin Methodist.

He takes over a North Dakota program that is making the move from Division II to Division I, much like Southeast did in the early 1990s.

The Fighting Sioux, 14-23 in 2008, will join the Division I ranks next season.

"It will definitely be a big challenge," Dodson said. "We'll take some lumps, no doubt. Everyone going into Division I does. But to be on the ground floor of a Division I program, to build it the way you want, that's exciting."

Dodson said Hogan has been more than a boss since he came to Southeast.

The 39-year-old Dodson played for Hogan at Division II Livingston (Ala.) University in the early 1990s. He was also a student assistant under Hogan at Livingston for one year. They have been close ever since.

"He was like a dad to me when I was playing for him in Alabama," Dodson said.

Hogan said the Southeast program will miss Dodson. From a personal standpoint, Hogan especially will miss his understudy.

"It's a big loss for our program. He's done a great job for us, a tremendous job recruiting and helping develop the players," Hogan said. "When he came on board, he wanted to get the experience on this level. I'm glad we helped him out.

"I'm going to miss him. We go way back. I've known him since 1990. But this is a golden opportunity for him and I'm happy for him."

Hogan said he already is in the process of finding someone to fill out his staff that includes Chris Cafalone and volunteer assistant J.C. Field.

"The phone is already ringing," Hogan said. "We've got a pretty good track record of guys [assistants] moving on to good opportunities, so I have no doubt we'll find a quality guy."