The Miami Hurricanes have found their new offensive coordinator.
UM is hiring Houston offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson to be the team’s new coordinator and quarterbacks coach, sources told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Dawson replaces Josh Gattis, who was fired last month after one season at Miami.
Dawson, a Louisiana native, has spent the previous three seasons as the Cougars’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Under Dawson, Houston improved from 53rd in the nation in scoring offense in 2020 to 15th in 2021 and 16th in 2022.
Last season, Houston scored 36.1 points per game. The Cougars were 76th nationally in rushing offense, averaging about 142 yards on about 31 attempts. But they made up for the lack of run production with the No. 8 passing offense in the nation, averaging 314 yards. Houston finished the season 25th in the country with 456 yards per game
Dawson is known for running an Air Raid style offense, having coached under Hal Mumme and Dana Holgorsen.
With Dawson coaching him, Houston quarterback Clayton Tune threw for 4,074 yards and 40 touchdowns last season. He threw for 3,546 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2021.
Prior to his tenure at Houston, Dawson served as Southern Miss’ offensive coordinator for three seasons, West Virginia’s offensive coordinator for two seasons and one season as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator. He has also coached at Southeastern Louisiana and Stephen A. Austin.
Miami filled another assistant coaching position on Tuesday, as UM is expected to hire Derek Nicholson to be the program’s new linebackers coach.
However, Dawson has two positions on the Hurricanes’ offensive staff to help fill. Miami already needed a wide receivers coach, as Gattis coached the position last season. The Hurricanes also will need to hire a running backs coach, as Kevin Smith is leaving after one season to return to Ole Miss, a source told the Sun Sentinel.
