David (Dave) Cox, who coached the Fort Dodge football team to its only state semifinal appearance in the playoff era, died on Friday. He was 83 years old.

Cox took over the Dodger program in 1969 and immediately led them to their first winning campaign in five seasons. By 1974, Fort Dodge was the Big 9 champion with an 8-1 record — the school’s best since their undefeated state championship season 29 years prior.

The 1978 Dodgers, though, were arguably Cox’s best squad. With a new class-driven playoff format in place, Fort Dodge went 7-2 in the regular season, which included a thrilling triple-overtime win over head coach Barry Alvarez eventual state titleist Mason City.

The Dodgers reached the postseason as an at-large qualifier, then advanced to the semis with a 14-13 road victory over previously-unbeaten Sioux City Heelan. Mason City defeated FDSH three days later with a trip to the UNI-Dome and the Class 3A state finals on the line.

In the spring of 1979, Cox — a Leon, Iowa native and a multi-sport standout at Bettendorf — left Fort Dodge with a 10-year record of 44-46-2 to become an assistant athletic director at Iowa State University. The former University of Northern Iowa football player also worked for the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Kansas State University athletic departments.

Cox had degrees from UNI (Bachelor’s) and Northeast (now Truman) State University (Master’s). In addition to teaching at FDSH, Cox worked for the Bettendorf, Wapsie Valley and Spencer school districts.

Cox is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carol; daughter, Jenny (Brad Ridnour) and son Bobby (Karen); as well as seven grandchildren; a great grandson; and three siblings.

A private memorial service for Cox will be held at a later date.