Football
- Title:
- Graduate Assistant Coach
- Email:
- mdawson@uoregon.edu
Matt Dawson joined Mike Bellotti’s staff as a defensive graduate assistant in 2007 after spending five seasons coaching in the 1-AA ranks, including the 2006 season at Fordham University, where he coached special teams and inside linebackers.
Prior to Fordham, Dawson worked for three seasons at his alma mater, starting at Massachusetts in 2002 as a graduate assistant. In 2003, Dawson took over tight ends before a one-year stint at Central Connecticut coaching linebackers and special teams.
Dawson returned to the Minutemen in 2005 as the assistant defensive line and outside linebackers coach, helping lead the team to a 7-4 mark and second-place Atlantic 10 finish.
Dawson served as a student assistant coach for the Minutemen during the 2000 season, helping UMass to a 7-4 record.
Dawson earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management from UMass in 2001. He lettered four times for the Minutemen from 1996-1999, serving as team captain during his senior season. A three-year starter at outside linebacker, Dawson helped UMass to the NCAA Division I-AA national championship in 1998. He finished his career with 250 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 11-1/2 sacks and 11 pass breakups.
