News Summary
Centenary College has appointed Byron Dawson as the new head football coach, signaling the revival of its football program after 50 years. Dawson, a local Shreveport native with an impressive football background, aims to build a competitive team as the college prepares to return to the field in 2024. His experience includes coaching at Tulane University and a successful tenure at Evangel Christian Academy, where he developed multiple talents in the sport. The community and college leadership are optimistic about rekindling interest in football and attracting local talent.
Shreveport – Byron Dawson has been named the head football coach at Centenary College, marking a pivotal moment in the revival of the college’s long-dormant football program. This announcement comes following a national search to find the right candidate, as Centenary prepares to return to the football field in the fall of 2024 after a 50-year absence from the sport.
The appointment of Dawson, a native of Shreveport and a notable figure in local football history, has generated excitement within the Centenary community. College President Dr. Christopher L. Holoman emphasized the thorough selection process and the strong pool of candidates that led to Dawson’s selection, highlighting the significance of bringing a coach with deep local roots and extensive experience to the program.
Dawson’s impressive background includes a stellar career at Evangel Christian Academy, where he was recognized as a USA Today High School All-American Defensive MVP for Louisiana. During his high school tenure, he led Evangel to a remarkable perfect 15-0 season in 1997 and secured three state championships, culminating in a national ranking of No. 17.
Following high school, Dawson went on to play for Louisiana State University (LSU) as a four-year letterman, where he compiled a total of 86 tackles and four sacks. He played a crucial role in the team’s successes, including their SEC Championship win in 2001 and a subsequent victory in the Sugar Bowl. These achievements established him as a key player in LSU’s football history.
Dawson transitioned to coaching after his playing career, starting at Redemptorist High School in Baton Rouge. He later returned to Evangel Christian Academy, where he coached for 15 years, winning a state championship and earning multiple Coach of the Year honors. Under his guidance, he has developed ten NFL players, including first-round draft pick Jerry Tillery.
In March 2020, Dawson joined Tulane University as a defensive line coach, where he made a significant impact on the team’s performance and was recognized as a finalist for the National Defensive Line Coach of the Year. His tenure there included mentoring defensive linemen who would later enter the NFL and participating in the Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship Program designed for minority coaches aiming for advancement in the NFL.
David Orr, the Athletic Director for Centenary College, expressed strong support for Dawson, noting his commitment to mentoring young athletes and his strong connections to the Shreveport area. The college’s Board of Trustees is backing Dawson in his efforts to build a successful football program and attract talented student-athletes to the school.
As Centenary prepares for its return to football, the college, which is part of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, aims to reinvigorate community interest and support in the program. Dawson sees this opportunity as vital for rekindling local community spirit and boosting enrollment at Centenary College. He is excited about the potential to offer local student-athletes the chance to play college football close to home.
The drive to reintegrate football into Centenary’s athletic offerings is part of a larger strategy to revive a program that was a significant part of the school’s history before it was discontinued in 1941. The return of football is expected to foster greater engagement among alumni and the broader Shreveport community, and Dawson’s leadership will be instrumental in these efforts.
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Additional Resources
- Centenary College Football Announcement
- Byron Dawson Named Centenary Head Football Coach
- Byron Dawson to Lead Centenary’s Return to Football
- Shreveport Times: Byron Dawson’s Coaching Journey
- Tulane Green Wave: Byron Dawson Profile
- Wikipedia: Football in the United States
- Google Search: Byron Dawson
- Google Scholar: Byron Dawson
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Football
- Google News: Byron Dawson
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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.
