With the success of the Miami Hurricanes offense over the past few years and the success of the quarterbacks that have orchestrated the unit during that time, it's safe to say that Shannon Dawson is a top-flight offensive coordinator.
And in today's college football landscape, there are few people more valuable to the machine than top-flight offensive minds. That's why Miami fans shouldn't get too used to Dawson being a part of the Hurricanes staff past this season. With recent job openings at Baylor and NC State, it feels almost certain that Dawson will be off to his next challenge when the Hurricanes season is over.
Shannon Dawson is one of the coaches players want to play for. Dawson said it. Fundamental execution is clear. That’s where the value is. Own. Reset. Clear. We’ve seen it since Clayton Tune at Houston. Three first-round quarterbacks later. The build is in know & the now. https://t.co/pta43pOvfq pic.twitter.com/kw9NjlaFsE
— Brad Stanfield (@Coach_Stanfield) October 24, 2026
Shannon Dawson feels like a perfect fit for Baylor
I think there would be some initial apprehension for a blue-blood program like . . .say, USC, to hire Dawson. The Hurricanes offensive coordinator is a little folksy and might occasionally say something that doesn't always get the intended response.
But Baylor and N.C. State seem like perfect options for the 49-year-old coach from Clinton, Louisiana. Both are mid-level Power 4 programs that like to punch above their weight class and both schools have a recent history of getting good players into their respective programs. They are perfect places for a creative mind that's a little rough around the edges, like Dawson.
Baylor has said that they would like an offensive-minded coach with real Texas roots to get back to their more successful days under former head coach Art Briles, but without the baggage that destroyed Briles' career. Dawson's roots in the Lone Star State come from his time coaching at Stephen F. Austin in the late 2000s and Houston from 2019-2022, which is where he was before joining Mario Cristobal's staff.
NC State seems less certain about where it wants to go next. The only thing the football people with the Wolfpack were certain about was that the future didn't include Dave Doeren. There's been some support for Wolfpack football in recent years, and they did have to pay a pretty penny to keep quarterback CJ Bailey in the fold.
Shannon Dawson is the type of coach that top QBs want to play for
Both programs have flawed-but-talented quarterbacks that Dawson would likely love to coach. Bailey has had his highs and lows in Raleigh and DJ Lagway is a former five-star recruit with a big arm. Neither player has had a lot of sustained coaching to get the most out of the upside they possess, but the chance to work with either player would be a likely selling point for a quarterback whisper like Dawson.
There's also the credibility Dawson has coming from Miami. The Hurricanes have been exceptional on offense since he arrived. Cam Ward was the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft after one year with Dawson and Darian Mensah looks like he'll be Heisman finalist. Malachi Toney is one of the top five players in the sport. Dawson has a scheme built for points and yards.
With Baylor making the declaration of what they want, Dawson seems like the right guy at the right time for the Bears. He's good with quarterbacks and his offense is pleasing to the eye. Whether it's Lagway, Bailey or even Maryland's Malik Washington, any quarterback with talent will be pushing the decision makers around their schools to take a good look at Dawson.
One can only hope Dawson adds a CFP Championship to resume before he heads out of town.
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