Shannon Dawson is already being mentioned for the Virginia Tech opening, less than 48 hours after the Hokies fired Brent Pry. CBS Sports listed Miami's offensive coordinator among names to watch as Tech begins its head coaching search of the cycle. Virginia Tech named offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery the interim while it searches for a permanent replacement.
Dawson, along with other offensive coaches like Ohio State OC/WR coach Brian Hartline and Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne, was mentioned on the CBS' College Football Insiders podcast.
"Miami is a potential ACC championship, potential playoff team, potential national championship type team with him [Dawson] leading the way for that offense. We saw what he did last year with Cam Ward. He has experience at West Virginia. He could maybe be a name to keep an eye on."College Football Insiders
Dawson's stock is high after leading Miami’s offense to No. 1 nationally in 2024 and helped quarterback Cam Ward's rise to the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Virginia Tech could also want to move away from the defensive identity they had under Pry and try to reinvigorate the program through an offensive-focused philosophy.
"I would put decent money on Virginia Tech hiring an offensive coach. That is not reporting. That is just like the history of following."College Football Insiders
Miami's start this fall has only helped Dawson's case as the Hurricanes are 3-0 and up to No. 4 in the AP Top 25 after a 49–12 win over then-No. 18 South Florida. Carson Beck also looks like the 2023 version of himself and if that remains the case, then Dawson might just get looks from more P4 teams outside of Virginia Tech.
Dawson comes from the Air Raid tree and has called plays at Houston, Southern Miss, Kentucky and West Virginia before joining Miami in 2023. That past stop in Morgantown gives him experience recruiting and scheming in the Appalachian footprint Tech draws from.
None of this means contact has happened or an offer is imminent as it is September and Tech is only beginning the process. Still, that hasn't stopped the speculation of Dawson potentially leaving after the season is over. For Miami, it would hurt to see him leave but it is a part of the game.