Recent decision by another playoff team eliminates a potential distraction for Miami Hurricanes entering College Football Playoff
The Canes’ offensive play caller was up for a head coaching opportunity, but it appears that door has closed.
The Miami Hurricanes found their way into the College Football Playoff on selection Sunday, moving ahead of Notre Dame to claim the final at large spot in the field and knock out the Irish in the process.
Now, the Hurricanes will turn their attention to the Texas A&M Aggies, who they will face on Saturday, December 20 at noon ET in College Station, Texas.
And as it turns out, they will have all members of their staff intact and focused on the game. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson interviewed for the vacant Tulane head coaching position. However, Tulane has decided, per ESPN insider Pete Thamel, to go in another direction and promote current Tulane assistant and former Southern Miss head coach Will Hall to fill the role.
Miami OC Shannon Dawson not hired as Tulane’s head coach
Dawson has been Miami’s offensive coordinator for the last three seasons, coming on board from Houston after the 2022 season spending three seasons with the Cougars. In 2024, the Hurricanes’ offense was arguably the best in the country with Cam Ward ending up in New York City as a Heisman Trophy finalist. Ward set single-season program records for passing yards and passing touchdowns, while Xavier Restrepo set Miami career records for receiving yards and touchdown catches.
Things haven’t gone quite as smoothly in 2024, particularly in the middle of the season, but over the last four weeks, Miami’s offense has returned to form, averaging 38 points per game in their four-game winning streak to close out the season.
Dawson has turned an offense led by a plodding running game into a more dynamic one by getting the ball into the hands of sensational freshman WR Malachi Toney’s hands in a number of ways. Toney, who played quarterback at times in high school, has proven adept at handling a dual threat role, and that’s opened things up for Dawson in his playcalling as Miami sprung back to life in November to make the playoff.
Having Dawson engaged and not splitting duties can only be a good thing for Miami. Dawson will eventually be a head coach. He’s been too successful not to be. But for the time being, all eyes should be on Texas A&M and how to put up points on a talented Aggie defense.
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