News Summary
Centenary College of Louisiana has appointed Byron Dawson as its head football coach, marking the revival of its football program after a 50-year hiatus. This decision aims to boost student enrollment, which has dropped below 500. The program will restart in the fall of 2024. Dawson, a native of Shreveport and former LSU player, has an impressive coaching background, including success at Evangel Christian Academy and recognition at Tulane University. The local community is excited about the revival, which seeks to connect with local athletes and enhance school spirit.
Shreveport, LA – Centenary College has appointed Byron Dawson as the head football coach, signaling the return of its football program after a 50-year hiatus. The decision comes as part of the college’s strategy to revitalize and expand student enrollment, which has recently fallen below 500 students. The football program is set to restart in the fall of 2024, and Dawson’s appointment follows a rigorous national search led by Centenary’s administration.
Byron Dawson, a native of Shreveport, has a notable background in football both as a player and a coach. He was a star at Evangel Christian Academy and later achieved acclaim at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he was a four-year letterman on the defensive line. Under prominent coaches, Dawson contributed to LSU’s celebrated defense during the 2001 season, which saw the team clinching an SEC Championship and winning the Sugar Bowl.
Dawson’s career in coaching began at Redemptorist High School in Baton Rouge after his time at LSU. He later took the helm at Evangel Christian Academy, where he achieved significant success by leading the team to a state championship and mentoring ten players who eventually reached the NFL. Most recently, he served as the defensive line coach at Tulane University, where he was recognized as a finalist for FootballScoop’s 2020 National Defensive Line Coach of the Year. He also participated in the NFL’s Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship with the Los Angeles Rams as a coaching intern.
The revival of Centenary College’s football program is generating excitement among the Board of Trustees and the local community. Support for this initiative has been strong since the announcement of the program’s return. Athletic director David Orr pointed out the potential impact of football on increasing student enrollment and fostering community engagement. In preparation for the upcoming season, construction of practice fields has begun, and Mayo Field is being upgraded to accommodate 3,000 fans.
Historically, Centenary College’s football program dates back to the 1890s. However, it ceased operations in 1941, with a failed revival attempt occurring in 1947 that lasted only one season. The return of football is seen as a critical move to connect with the Shreveport-Bossier community, offering local athletes opportunities to participate in college sports.
The Centenary Gents, as the football team will be known, are scheduled to play their only exhibition game of 2023 against East Texas Baptist University. The official start of the 2024 season is set for September 7, with the Gents hosting Hendrix at home.
Byron Dawson expressed a strong commitment to reviving football in the region and aims to establish a legacy for future players. His experience and connection to the community position him uniquely to lead the program’s resurgence and contribute to the college’s goals for greater student engagement and enrollment growth.
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Additional Resources
- Crescent City Sports: Byron Dawson Named Centenary Head Football Coach
- KSLA: Centenary Football Set for Fall 2023 Return After 80 Years Away
- WGNO: Byron Dawson to Lead Centenary’s Return to Football
- Shreveport Times: Dawson Takes Collegiate Coaching Job
- Centenary College: Football Coaching Announcement
- Wikipedia: Centenary College of Louisiana
- Google Search: Byron Dawson
- Google Scholar: Byron Dawson
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Centenary College
- Google News: Centenary College football
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
