St. Pat's State Champion Coaches Dodson, Aufdenkamp Announce Football Retirement

by: Huskerland Bob10/29/25Huskerland Bob

ON3 - Kevin Dodson, St. Pat's Coach — After 27 years at the helm - making him the longest-tenured as well as the winningest coach in school history - leading St. Pat's to a state title along the way, Irish head football coach Kevin Dodson has announced his retirement from the game. Joining him in retirement from the game will be his longtime assistant and right-hand man, Brent Aufdenkamp. Two great men, will miss them personally, and so will our game.

Sometimes you just take things for granted, like having Kevin Dodson and Brent Aufdenkamp coaching the North Platte St. Pat’s football program. You can’t do that anymore, they are both retiring from their football positions following another playoff season for the Irish.

(And just like that, Huskerland Bob’s Wednesday has turned a bit melancholy, as I have had so many great opportunities to cover Kevin’s teams, interview his players, and basically enjoy the St. Pat’s Football Experience.)

As you will see as part of the following press release, the Irish have named a rising young replacement as their new head football coach, former Arapahoe superstar Brad Braithwait, who’s been a member of Coach Dodson staff for nearly 20 years. (Gads, that too makes me feel old…how about you, Bob?)

Per the release hot off the press:

After 27 years leading the St. Pat’s Irish football program, Head Coach Kevin Dodson and Defensive Coordinator Brent Aufdenkamp will both step down from their roles with the team.

Dodson took the helm of the Irish program in the fall of 1999, along with Assistant Aufdenkamp. Under Dodson’s leadership the Irish recorded 210 wins, qualified for the state playoffs 25 times, earned 15 District Championships, were Semi-Finalist in 2010, 2011, and 2022 and State Champions in 2004. Dodson was named Coach of the Year in 2004, and earned the Nebraska Coaches Association Level IV Milestone Award in 2025. Dodson was selected as an assistant coach and head coach of the West Nebraska All-Star game and was an Assistant Coach in the Nebraska Shrine Bowl in 2007.

Before returning to his alma mater, Dodson (a 1989 St. Pat’s graduate) spent four years on the coaching staff at Columbus Scotus High School. Dodson leaves the St. Pat’s position as the longest-tenured, winningest coach in school history. He will remain in his role as Superintendent of the North Platte Catholic Schools.

Superintendent Dodson has named Brad Braithwait as the new Head Coach for the Irish. Braithwait currently serves as Special Teams Coordinator, Athletic Director, and teaches English and Physical Education at St. Pat’s. Braithwait has been a member of the Irish coaching staff since 2008.