Shannon Dawson’s Rise from Small College Grind to Miami’s Top Play Caller

Shannon Dawson runs the offense for the University of Miami Hurricanes football team. He took over in 2023 and quickly turned their attack into the top unit in the country. Last season, Miami led the nation in points per game at 43.9 and yards at 537.2. Quarterback Cam Ward thrived under him, winning the Davey O'Brien Award and ACC Player of the Year before going first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Tennessee Titans. Dawson, now 48, started his coaching path far from the spotlight, scraping by on small pay at Southeastern Louisiana.

Background

Dawson grew up in Clinton, Louisiana. He played quarterback at Wingate University under coach Dana Holgorsen in 1999. After college, he returned to his alma mater as receivers coach in 2002. That job lasted one year. In 2003, he joined Hal Mumme at Southeastern Louisiana as an offensive quality control coach. He earned about $500 a month in that part-time role. The next year, he moved up to running backs coach there.

Mumme took him to New Mexico State in 2005 as a graduate assistant. Dawson then landed his first big break at Millsaps College in 2006. He served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for two seasons. The team won back-to-back Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference titles, the first in school history. Quarterback Juan Joseph earned two-time Offensive Player of the Year honors. Millsaps made the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2006.

From there, Dawson went to Stephen F. Austin in 2008 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. The team had gone winless in 2007, averaging just 16 points a game. In his first year, they ranked third nationally in passing offense, 13th in total offense, and 14th in scoring. They won or shared the Southland Conference title the next two years and reached the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs both times. In 2009 and 2010, Stephen F. Austin led the nation in passing while ranking top six in total offense and scoring. Quarterback Jeremy Moses became a two-time All-American and Southland Offensive Player of the Year. He won the Walter Payton Award as the top FCS player. Wide receivers Dominique Edison and Contrevious Parks later played in the NFL.

Dawson spent four years at West Virginia from 2011 to 2014. He started as wide receivers coach, then co-offensive coordinator in 2012, and full offensive coordinator the last two years. In his final season, the Mountaineers ranked 12th nationally in total offense at 499.8 yards per game and ninth in passing at 317 yards. They averaged 33.5 points and set a school record with eight straight games of 30-plus points. The team also rushed for over 182 yards per game on average.

He moved to Kentucky in 2015 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach but left after one year. Dawson then spent three seasons at Southern Miss from 2016 to 2018 in the same roles. In his first year, he coached quarterback Nick Mullens to school records in passing yards and touchdowns. Mullens signed with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent. Southern Miss set a school record with 702 total yards in a game against Rice.

In 2019, Dawson reunited with Holgorsen at Houston as tight ends coach. He got promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2020. Over three years calling plays, the Cougars threw 87 touchdown passes, ranking 13th nationally, with a 65.3 completion percentage, 19th in the country.

Key Details

Miami hired Dawson in February 2023 after firing offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. The Hurricanes had ranked 97th in scoring offense in 2022 and 85th in total offense. Dawson brought an Air Raid system influenced by Mumme and Mike Leach, blended with head coach Mario Cristobal's power spread focus on the line.

Quick Turnaround at Miami

In 2023, Miami jumped to 39th in scoring and 25th in total offense despite quarterback injuries. Tyler Van Dyke hurt his finger, and true freshman Emory Williams broke his arm. The team went 7-6 but showed clear progress. Quarterback Van Dyke put up solid numbers like others Dawson had coached.

Last season, the offense exploded. They finished No. 1 nationally in scoring at 43.9 points per game and yards at 537.2. Cam Ward set Miami records with 39 passing touchdowns, 4,313 passing yards, and 42 total touchdowns. Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo ended his career with school records of 200 receptions and 2,844 receiving yards.

Dawson has been an offensive coordinator for 10 of the last 11 years. He has called his own plays in eight of the last nine seasons. His work earned him a spot as one of 15 Broyles Award semifinalists, given to the nation's top assistant coach.

"Shannon Dawson has demonstrated a strong commitment to player development, strategic innovation, and program building. Known for his attention to detail and leadership, he has helped shape competitive units." – Broyles Award profile

Dawson stayed at Miami for 2025 despite job rumors. Now he works with new quarterback Carson Beck, who transferred from Georgia. Beck threw for over 7,400 yards, 52 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions in two starting seasons there. Beck played under Kirby Smart, who has national titles.

Dawson has coached quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers over his career. He and his wife Chelsea have a daughter named Acelyn.

What This Means

Dawson's success puts Miami in position to chase a College Football Playoff spot. Last year, his offense topped the charts, but the team fell short of the playoff. With Beck replacing Ward, the unit must keep producing at a high level. Beck brings experience from a championship program, which could help the Hurricanes push further.

Miami lost Ward to the NFL and Restrepo to graduation. Dawson must find new stars to replace their output. His track record shows he can develop talent quickly, as seen at multiple stops. The offense ranked low before he arrived, but now it's the benchmark for others.

Fans expect sustained dominance. Dawson's system spreads the ball and scores in bunches. It relies on a strong passing game with run support. At places like West Virginia and Houston, his teams put up big numbers year after year.

The Hurricanes open the season soon. Early games will show if Beck fits Dawson's scheme. Miami aims to build on top-10 finishes in key stats. Dawson's rise from a $500-a-month gig to leading the best offense highlights his skill in turning programs around. His choices now shape Miami's path in a tough conference.