Loren Dawson (born c. 1966) is an American high school football coach. He is the head football coach for the American Leadership Academy, a position he has held since 2023. He was the head football coach for Austin College from 2010 to 2022.

Loren Dawson
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamAmerican Leadership Academy (AZ)
Biographical details
Bornc. 1966 (age 57–58)
Casa Grande, Arizona, U.S.
Alma materArizona State University (1993, 1998)
Playing career
1984–1986Phoenix College
1987Austin
Position(s)Defensive back
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1990–1992Bourgade Catholic HS (AZ) (assistant)
1993Midwestern State (GA)
1994–1995Bourgade Catholic HS (AZ)
1996–1998Phoenix College (OL/LB)
1999–2001Phoenix College (AHC/ST/DB)
2002–2007Austin (DC/ST)
2008–2009Colorado Mines (ST/LB)
2010–2022Austin
2023–presentAmerican Leadership Academy (AZ)
Head coaching record
Overall37–85 (college)

Playing career

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Dawson grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona, and played high school football for Casa Grande Union High School. In 1984, he played college football for Phoenix College.[1] In 1987, he transferred to Austin College as a defensive back under head coach Mel Tjeerdsma.[2][3]

Coaching career

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In 1990, Dawson began his coaching career as an assistant coach for Bourgade Catholic High School.[3] In 1993, he served as a graduate assistant for Midwestern State under head coach Mike Calcote.[3] In 1994, he returned to Bourgade Catholic as the head coach.[3] After two years as head coach, he joined Phoenix College as the offensive line coach and linebackers coach.[4] In 1999, he was promoted to assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, and defensive backs coach.[5][6] In 2002, Dawson served as the defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator for his first stint with Austin under head coaches David Norman and Ronnie Gage.[7] In 2008, he was the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach for Colorado Mines under head coach Bob Stitt.[3][4]

In 2010, Dawson earned his first college head coaching position for Austin College.[8] In thirteen years as head coach he led the team to a 37–85 record and increased the team's roster to over 100 during his tenure.[4] His best seasons came from 2013 to 2015 and in 2019 when the team finished 5–5.[9] He resigned following the 2022 season.[10][11]

In 2023, Dawson returned to high school football as the head football coach for the American Leadership Academy.[4][12][13]

Head coaching record

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College

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
Austin Kangaroos (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) (2010–2011)
2010 Austin 4–5 2–4 T–5th
2011 Austin 0–10 0–6 7th
Austin Kangaroos (NCAA Division III independent) (2012)
2012 Austin 2–8
Austin Kangaroos (Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference) (2013–2016)
2013 Austin 5–5 2–1 2nd
2014 Austin 5–5 1–2 3rd
2015 Austin 5–5 1–2 3rd
2016 Austin 3–7 1–5 4th
Austin Kangaroos (Southern Athletic Association) (2017–2020)
2017 Austin 3–7 1–7 9th
2018 Austin 2–8 2–6 8th
2019 Austin 5–5 4–4 5th
2020–21 Austin 1–3 1–3 T–6th
Austin Kangaroos (American Southwest Conference) (2021–2022)
2021 Austin 1–8 1–8 10th
2022 Austin 1–9 1–7 T–8th
Austin: 37–85 17–55
Total: 37–85

References

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  1. ^ "41 prep players give commitments to play football at Phoenix College". Arizona Republic. March 19, 1986. p. 177. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  2. ^ Vitt, Dawson (September 18, 2023). "Legendary coach leaves mark on college football landscape through more than sport". Northwest Missourian. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Head Football Coach". Austin College. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d Vasquez, Maria (August 15, 2023). "Warriors ready to begin new chapter, look to be the best they can be". Pinal Central. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  5. ^ "UW football announces 8 signees". The Billings Gazette. December 21, 2001. p. 6. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  6. ^ "UW football team gets help in secondary". Star-Herald. December 20, 2001. p. 15. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  7. ^ "Austin". The Los Angeles Times. August 8, 2002. p. 44. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  8. ^ "Dawson named Austin College football coach". SCAC. February 9, 2010. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  9. ^ Hogue, Cory (November 15, 2022). "Austin College coach Loren Dawson resigns". Dave Campbell's Texas Football. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  10. ^ Samuels, Doug (November 15, 2022). "Sources: Austin College parts ways with Loren Dawson". Football Scoop. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  11. ^ Baker, Davis (November 15, 2022). "Loren Dawson resigns as Austin College head football coach". KTen. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  12. ^ "Best return". Arizona Republic. August 20, 2023. pp. C3. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  13. ^ "4. Transition game". Arizona Republic. August 15, 2023. pp. B3. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
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