By Kyle LoJacono
Wiregrass Ranch girls soccer coach Erin Dodd has resigned in order to take a job with a school in Doha, Qatar.
Dodd, who is also a teacher at John Long Middle, will leave for the Middle Eastern country this summer to teach at an international school, where she will be for at least two years.
“This was by far one of the hardest decisions that I’ve ever had to make,” Dodd said. “These opportunities don’t come around very often so I felt like I had to take it. I’ll be helping out and doing everything I can with the team before I leave and trying to stay as up to date when I’m gone.”
The Bulls have reached new heights since Dodd took over the program two years ago. Wiregrass Ranch has a combined 40-8-2 record during that time, including its first district championship and regional finals appearance in the 2010-11 season.
“She’s done a great job,” said Bulls athletic director Dave Wilson. “She really helped make the program into a winner.”
Before Wiregrass Ranch, Dodd also coached the John Long’s girls soccer team, posting a combined 30-3-3 record during her four seasons.
Dodd shined as a midfielder at Zephyrhills High, where she is still the Bulldogs’ all-time leading scorer with 147 tallies. She played at the University of Memphis on scholarship.
Wilson said they will advertise the coaching position soon, but there is no timetable for selecting Dodd’s successor.
