Matt Dawson, a coaching veteran with more than 15 years of experience, is in his second season as defensive coordinator at Norfolk State. He also serves as inside linebackers coach after working with the safeties in 2017.
In his first season with NSU, Dawson’s defense excelled at taking the ball away from its opponents. More than that, NSU also proved adept at scoring off turnovers, as the Spartans ranked tied for first in the nation among Division I Football Championship Subdivision teams in defensive touchdowns, with six – believed to be a school record.
In addition, the Spartans tied for first in the MEAC and 10th in the nation with 17 interceptions in 2017, and were second in the conference in both turnovers created (26) and turnover margin (+15). Nationally, NSU ranked fifth among FCS teams in turnover margin, 13th in turnovers gained and 16th in red-zone defense. The Spartans forced at least four turnovers in three different ballgames, including five against Florida A&M and four in the win against then-25th ranked North Carolina Central.
Five Spartan defenders earned All-MEAC recognition in 2017.
Dawson spent the 2016 season as defensive line coach at his alma mater, the University of Massachusetts. He also worked with the special teams units of the Minutemen.
Prior to going to UMass, Dawson spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons as linebackers coach at Rhode Island. In 2015, Dawson oversaw one of the Rams’ stronger units. Linebacker Adam Parker earned All-CAA second-team honors after finishing second on the team in tackles. In his first season, Dawson's coached All-CAA first-team selection Andrew Bose, who led the league with 125 tackles. Bose and Parker were the team's top two tacklers, as Parker had 102 stops. After the season, Bose signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent.
Dawson is no stranger to NSU head coach Latrell Scott. Dawson served as defensive coordinator at Virginia State in 2013, Scott’s first season as head coach of the Trojans. There, he led a defensive effort that led to Virginia State winning its division title. Virginia State went 9-1, including a perfect 7-0 mark in conference play. Dawson’s defense allowed just 17.4 points and 94.9 rushing yards per game while forcing 21 turnovers in 10 games. The Trojans won the league’s Northern Division title and were ranked No. 6 in the NCAA Division II Super One Region.
Three of Dawson’s players – defensive backs Sean Smith and Virginoir Loiseau in addition to defensive lineman Ronald Lewis – earned All-CIAA honors that season. Linebacker Geo Feggins was named to the league’s all-rookie team.
Dawson served as the defensive coordinator for Monroe College in 2012, and before that he held the same position for two seasons at Fordham. Dawson coached the linebackers and was the special teams coordinator for New Hampshire in 2009. As a graduate assistant, he was an assistant defensive line coach at Oregon from March 2007 through February 2009. He also worked as an assistant at UMass from 2002-04 and at Central Connecticut State in 2005.
Dawson earned a degree in sports management from Massachusetts in 2001. While a three-year starter at linebacker, he helped the Minutemen win the 1998 NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship and the 1999 Atlantic 10 championship. A native of Pepperell, Mass., Dawson finished his Minutemen career with 250 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and 11 pass deflections.
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