Miami football: Shannon Dawson named coordinator likely HC candidate

David Cobb of CBS Sports named Shannon Dawson in his article “Clemson’s Garrett Riley leads 2023 college football coordinators poised to emerge as head coaching candidates.” Mario Cristobal hired Dawson to be the offensive coordinator for the Miami football program in February.

Dawson joins the Miami football program after spending the last three seasons at Houston. Dawson was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Houston in the last two seasons. Also making the list by Cobb was former Miami offensive coordinator Josh Gattis who was Dawson’s predecessor.

Dawson is the third offensive coordinator for Tyler Van Dyke in as many seasons as the starting QB. Rhett Lashlee was the predecessor to Gattis in 2021. The Miami offense should be closer to resembling the system Lashlee ran for the Hurricanes in 2020 and 2021 than last season under Gattis. Expect more pass attempts downfield.

Miami has brought in multiple transfers on offense to help Dawson. Center Matthew Lee and guard Javion Cohen are near locks to start. Running back Ajay Allen adds depth. Wide receivers Tyler Harrell and Shemar Kirk are expected to compete to be in the rotation. Harrell could compete to be a starter.

"Shannon Dawson, Miami offensive coordinator: “A product of the Air Raid tree, Dawson has a chance to make a name for himself at Miami this season after four years on Dana Holgorsen’s Houston staff.The Hurricanes regressed significantly on offense in coach Mario Cristobal’s first season, which led to Josh Gattis’ sudden departure and Dawson being tabbed as his replacement.For this change to yield results, Cristobal will need to relinquish control and allow Dawson to implement a system that calls for more passing than Cristobal historically prefers. With an elite quarterback like Tyler Van Dyke, it could be a smashing success.This is as much about Cristobal enabling his new hire to flourish as anything. If he’s willing to let Dawson shine and the Hurricanes make significant progress, Dawson could immediately become a head coaching candidate.”"

True freshman running back Mark Fletcher could compete to start and Miami also adds speedy Chris Johnson in the backfield. Miami will likely pass more often than past Cristobal teams. The Miami offense will be far more balanced than a traditional Air Raid. Expect Miami to strive to be nearly even rushing and passing.

The WRs could be the key for Dawson and Van Dyke to have success. Miami needs Xavier Restrepo to be healthy for the entire season. Jacolby George, Harrell and Colbie Young provide good depth on the outside. Henry Parrish returns for Miami on offense after leading the Hurricanes with 616 yards rushing in 2022.