University of Massachusets Athletics
Football

Matt Dawson
- Title:
- Asst. Coach/Defensive Line and Special Teams
- Email:
- dawson@umass.edu
- Phone:
- 545-2026
Season at Massachusetts: Fifth
Alma Mater: Massachusetts, 2001
Matt Dawson was named to Massachusetts’ football staff in January 2016. He returns to Amherst with 14 years of college football experience. He coaches the defensive line and works with special teams.
He spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons at the University of Rhode Island as linebackers coach. He worked with two Colonial Athletic Association all-conference selections.
Prior to his arrival in Kingston, Dawson spent the 2013 season as the Virginia State defensive coordinator, spearheading a unit that produced a division title. In 2012, he was the defensive coordinator for Monroe College, and before that, he held the same position for two seasons at Fordham.
Dawson coached the linebackers and was 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 spent time coaching at Massachusetts (2002-05) and Central Connecticut State (2005) .
Dawson earned a degree in sport management from Massachusetts in 2001. As a three-year starter at linebacker, he helped the Minutemen win the 1998 NCAA Division I-AA National Championship and the 1999 Atlantic 10 Championship.
Alma Mater: Massachusetts, 2001
Matt Dawson was named to Massachusetts’ football staff in January 2016. He returns to Amherst with 14 years of college football experience. He coaches the defensive line and works with special teams.
He spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons at the University of Rhode Island as linebackers coach. He worked with two Colonial Athletic Association all-conference selections.
Prior to his arrival in Kingston, Dawson spent the 2013 season as the Virginia State defensive coordinator, spearheading a unit that produced a division title. In 2012, he was the defensive coordinator for Monroe College, and before that, he held the same position for two seasons at Fordham.
Dawson coached the linebackers and was 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 spent time coaching at Massachusetts (2002-05) and Central Connecticut State (2005) .
Dawson earned a degree in sport management from Massachusetts in 2001. As a three-year starter at linebacker, he helped the Minutemen win the 1998 NCAA Division I-AA National Championship and the 1999 Atlantic 10 Championship.