Bob Ledbetter 1979-1995

Ledbetter was the coach that first led the Dragons to statewide prominence, coaching the team to three 3A state titles in 1988, 1992, and 1993. He achieved a record of 179-33-3 during his 17 years as head coach. In January 2023, the field at Dragon Stadium was named in his honor.^[1]

Tom Rapp 1996-1999

Ledbetter's successor, Tom Rapp, compiled a 28–17–1 record in four season as head coach, reaching the state final four in 1998.

Todd Dodge 2000-2006

Former University of Texas at Austin quarterback Todd Dodge replaced Rapp as head coach in 2000.^[4] In his seven seasons, Dodge led the Dragons to a 98–11 record, including a 79–1 record and four state championships in the school's first five years as a Class 5A program. Dodge left Carroll to take the head coaching job at the University of North Texas in 2007.^[5]

Under Dodge's leadership, Carroll was recognized as United States High School Football National Champions in 2004, 2005, and 2006.^{[6][7][8][9][10]}

Hal Wasson 2007-2017

Former Keller Fossil Ridge coach Hal Wasson took over as the Dragon's head coach in 2007.^[11] Early in his first year, on September 15, 2007, Carroll played Miami Northwestern High School at the Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. This was a rare national No. 1 versus No. 2 matchup, and was televised nationally by ESPNU.^[12] The Dragons lost, 29-21, ending their winning streak at 49, which at the time tied the Texas big-school state record set by Abilene HS from 1954 to 1957. The record was broken during the 2015 season by Allen High School (57 games). Wasson teams compiled a record of 121–25, reached the playoffs in 10 of 11 seasons, and won the 5A DI state championship in 2011.

The Carroll Dragon football team competed in district 7-6A in the 2014 season and finished with a 10-0 regular season record. They were ranked in the top 10 AP poll throughout the season and climbed to #2 overall at the conclusion of regular season play, with defending 5A division I state champion Allen Eagles at #1.

In January 2018 Wasson was placed on administrative leave while the football program was investigated for possible UIL violations. Carroll ISD officials decided the program was not in full compliance with the UIL, and Wasson agreed to resign on February 25, 2018, after the district agreed to pay Wasson the balance of his existing two-year contract.^[13]

Riley Dodge 2018-Present

On March 26, 2018, 29-year-old Carroll alum Riley Dodge was announced as head coach.^[14] In high school Dodge played for his father, head coach Todd Dodge, and became one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Texas high school history. Dodge played on three straight state championship teams, was named MaxPreps National Player of the Year, Gatorade Texas Player of the Year, and a Parade All-American during his senior year.^[14][15]

Dodge has led the Dragons to the state playoffs every season since becoming head coach. The 2020 season saw Carroll make their way to the UIL 6A Division 1 state championship game. The end of a strange season already marred by the COVID-19 pandemic saw things get even weirder when Riley Dodge and Carroll met Todd Dodge and Westlake for the championship. Westlake prevailed, 52–34, in the father-son coaching matchup, and Carroll finished the season as state runner-up at 12–2.^[16] In six seasons, Dodge's teams have amassed a 77-7 overall record, reached the state quarterfinals three times, and the state semi-finals and the state championship one time each.^[2]