How did Andre Dawkins end up coaching in OKC? Former Duke guard 'grateful' to be at MSM

Andre Dawkins grew comfortable away from the demands of playing basketball professionally.

A year removed from suiting up for the Agua Caliente Clippers of the NBA G League, Dawkins chose to revisit an old hobby. He turned in his sneakers and ankle braces for golf clubs at a local country club.

The peaceful ambiance on the green was relief from the turbulent year that preceded him on the hardwood. Years of persistent ankle injuries followed by grueling rehab processes began to take a toll on the former Duke guard.

After 15-plus years of honing his craft in basketball, Dawkins called it quits on his professional career.

“I just had to get away from basketball altogether,” Dawkins said. “I had never dealt with injuries before, so I became frustrated with the game. I wanted nothing to do with playing.”

At the time, Dawkins was a newcomer to the Oklahoma City area. His wife, Armani, had been recently hired as the senior associate athletics director at OU. He tagged along to Norman, hoping to find a new passion.

He embarked on a new career path, working as a sales associate for Meraki Real Estate. Yet, after a year on the job, a familiar itch resurfaced.

Dawkins crept back into the hoops realm as he started training the son of a family friend. It took little time, after spending hours in the gym for Dawkins to crave more time on the floor.

So, he inquired with friends about potential coaching opportunities in the area before joining the coaching staff at Mount St. Mary.

Now as the second-year head coach of the Rockets, he has Mount St. Mary eyeing a state tournament bid. The 10th-ranked Rockets head into the Class 3A area playoffs having won 14 of their last 15 games and will face first-ranked Oklahoma Christian School on Friday at Ada.

The decision to join the coaching ranks remains one of the proudest moments of Dawkins' basketball career.

“I was just glad to recapture that joy,” Dawkins said.

“Basketball has done so much for me, so I was just excited to be able to give back to the next generation of players. You can learn a lot about life through this game, and I want to try and show that to our guys in the position I’m in now.”

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From NCAA champion to NBA and beyond

Dawkins knew he had a gift on the hardwood soon into his high school years.

The game slowed down for him as a freshman at Atlantic Shore Christian in Chesapeake, Virginia. He averaged 22 points per game in his sophomore season, which saw him named conference player of the year. He was a three-time, first-team All-State selection ahead of his senior year.

Then came the offers.

Dawkins was a five-star recruit in the 2008 class, receiving offers from Clemson, Florida, Georgetown, Wake Forest, and Maryland. Yet, each school fell by the wayside once Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski came calling.

"I didn't think the whole process was real at first," Dawkins said. "I always wanted to play there growing up. So when I got that call, I immediately envisioned myself competing in that jersey in March Madness.

"Even when I got to Durham, there were still plenty of times where I felt like I was dreaming."

Dawkins elected a path with risk after committing to play for the Blue Devils as a junior. He chose to forgo his senior year of high school and attend college a year early after Duke lost talent to the NBA draft.

Months after betting on himself, Dawkins' dream would come true.

Dawkins appeared in 38 games as a freshman, averaging 4.4 points per game in 12 minutes. He played back-up to guard Nolan Smith and came up huge for Duke in the NCAA tournament as they went on to win the 2010 national championship.

After redshirting the 2012–13 season, he spent five years at Duke and graduated in 2014. Dawkins signed with the Miami Heat after going undrafted.

The next four years would be a blur for Dawkins. He suited up for six different teams in that span, including playing overseas in Italy. His career trajectory ultimately began to change as injury concerns intensified, leading to his retirement.

Yet, the transition from his playing days to a new life wasn't necessarily a bad thing in Dawkins' eyes.

"Looking back, I think just the injury took its toll on me altogether," Dawkins said. "I had to stop feeling like it wasn't fair — like I didn't deserve it. And getting to Mount St. Mary helped me step back and appreciate the whole journey."

"Now, I'm just focused on doing right by the guys we have here at MSM."

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Continuing the winning culture at Mount St. Mary

Mount St. Mary's basketball program has seen several waves of success in its school history. Since 2000, the program has made eight state appearances while moving between Class 3A and 4A.

"The Mount” has proved to be a launching pad for a slew of head coaches who succeeded across the metro area. Del City's Lenny Hatchett, Norman North's Kellen McCoy and Piedmont's Brandon Jackson all kickstarted their head coaching careers.

Dawkins began coaching under Jackson in the 2021-22 season for the Rockets. That year served as Jackson's last under the helm as he left MSM for Class 6A Piedmont in the spring.

Soon after, Dawkins expressed to the Rockets' athletic department that he wanted to take over the vacant position.

"I met with the team after Coach Jackson left and promised them that I would find someone that could relate to them and hold them accountable," Mount St. Mary athletic director Richie Henderson said.

"What stood out to me most about Andre was his pedigree. He understands excellence and won't compromise integrity or character to achieve that goal. He checks all the boxes. So when it came time for him to take over the role, it was a no-brainer decision."

Dawkins has left his imprint on the program since accepting the gig as head coach.

He's led the Rockets to a 40-11 record while winning two regional championships in his two seasons on the sidelines. Dawkins has managed to keep Mount St. Mary afloat amidst losing graduating seniors and a fluctuating coaching staff.

One of the bright spots for the Rockets in 2024 has been the addition of forward Jodie Shavers.

The 6-foot-7 senior has anchored the Mount St. Mary's defense while entirely changing the outlook of its season. Intrigued by the idea of playing for Dawkins, he left Putnam City North for MSM in the summer.

The decision to do so was a choice that came easy in Shavers' eyes.

"I'm someone who wants to go on and play at the next level," Shavers said, "so learning from someone who's done that at the ultimate level was important to me. It's been a blast so far playing for him because I feel like he's made me much better."

Each player and coach has bought into the culture implemented by Dawkins, and the proof has shown on the hardwood. The Rockets have one of the best defenses in the state, allowing less than 40 points per game in its 21 wins in the 2023-24 season.

But the team's chemistry on the floor took time to grow naturally in his second season.

Dawkins was determined to improve the team's communication. So, he made sure the Rockets shared their pregame meals. No one is allowed to start eating until each team member is present, and they cannot leave until everyone is finished.

"Being here at MSM has changed my son's life, and Dre's influence has been instrumental to that," Rockets assistant coach Andy Hamilton said. His son, Maddox, is a starter for Mount St. Mary and made five 3-pointers in a regional win over Chandler.

"The biggest change has been the culture he built around the program. We don't share individual stats. No one is looking to get their own, but each player is playing for each other and this family."

While Mount St. Mary prepares for its biggest challenge all season, Dawkins has his troops feeding off one another's faith. The same form of belief Mike Krzyzewski instilled in him as a freshman playing big minutes in the NCAA tournament has been reciprocated by Dawkins in his coaching style.

Most important to Dawkins is the relationships built with players off the floor. He aims to guide his players to be pillars in the community while at MSM and as they grow into adulthood.

"I know you can do things the right way, teach about life and have high standards on and off the court and still win," Dawkins said. "We aren't just worried about you coming in here and putting the ball in the hoop. I strive to build a greater sense of community from top to bottom.

"I'm a big believer in discipline begets discipline, so I try to expand that discipline in all facets. So, I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to invest in these guys. These past few years have been exceptional, and I couldn't have asked for a better first coaching opportunity."

Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jdavis34_. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ex-Duke guard Andre Dawkins 'grateful' to coach at Mount St. Mary