Shannon Dawson is entering his first season in Nacogdoches, and will serve as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. Dawson is a six-year college coaching veteran who has made stops at Wingate, Southeastern Louisiana, New Mexico State and most recently Millsaps College, where he has served as the offensive coordinator for the past two seasons.

During his time at Millsaps, Dawson was the architect of an offense that produced a 15-5 (.750) overall record and won back-to-back Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference titles, and advanced to the 2006 NCAA Division III playoffs.

Millsaps' offense has averaged close to 36 points per game under Dawson, and has been ranked in the top 20 in each of the past two seasons, including being ranked as high as fifth in pass offense this past season. Millsaps recorded 4,107 yards of total offense in 2006, and followed that up by recording more than 4,500 yards of total offense this past season.

Eight of Dawson's players earned all-conference recognition, including quarterback Juan Joseph, who was named the 2006 and 2007 SCAC Offensive Player of the Year. Along with Joseph, Millsaps' receiver Chris Jackson earned league special teams player of the year honors.

Joseph averaged more than 320 passing yards per game in 2007. He threw for 31 touchdowns, and only six interceptions, while Jackson hauled in 69 passes for 693 yards and nine touchdowns.

Prior to joining the Millsaps staff in January 2006, Dawson spent one season coaching the inside receivers at New Mexico State where four Aggie receivers caught multiple touchdown passes and five hauled in 350+ yards. The receiving core as a whole averaged 10.3 yards-per-catch, led by second-team All-WAC standout Paul Dombrowski who caught 78 balls for 798 yards and two touchdowns.

During his playing career, Dawson spent time at receiver and quarterback for Wingate. In 2001, he led all receivers with 43 receptions for 584 yards and seven touchdowns, while passing for two other scores.

Dawson received his bachelor's degree from Wingate in May of 2001.