WVU's Shannon Dawson reportedly set to become Kentucky's OC
Kentucky is hiring a Big 12 assistant for its offensive coordinator position.
According to multiple reports, the school is set to hire West Virginia's Shannon Dawson. Fox Sports first reported the news.
From the Louisville Courier-Journal:
An official announcement cannot be made until Friday, per state hiring regulations, but Dawson will carry on the "Air Raid" offense installed the last two seasons by Neal Brown, who left UK after this season to become head coach at Troy. The 37-year-old Dawson worked under former Cats coach Hal Mumme, the godfather of that pass-happy spread attack, at both Southeastern Louisiana in 2003-04 and New Mexico State in 2005
Per Fox Sports, Dawson, previously the offensive coordinator for the Mountaineers, is making the move to the SEC because of the opportunity to call plays. At West Virginia, head coach Dana Holgorsen calls plays. According to a source to the Courier-Journal, Dawson's familiarity with the offense was a significant plus as the school didn't want to change offensive terminology after Brown's departure. He'll continue to coach at West Virginia through the bowl game.
West Virginia's offense was No. 11 in total offense in FBS but severely hampered by turnovers. The Mountaineers averaged over 500 yards per game but committed 28 turnovers, which ranked No. 116. Kentucky was No. 75 in the country in yards per game and averaged about a half-yard less than West Virginia did per play.
Mumme is considered one of the coaching mentors of Washington State coach Mike Leach and Holgorsen was an assistant under Leach at Texas Tech for eight seasons before moving to Houston and Oklahoma State.
For more Kentucky news, visit CatsIllustrated.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
