Mike Dawson is back in Orlando.
After previously serving on UCF's coaching staff during Scott Frost's first era from 2016-17, Dawson has returned to serve as defensive run game coordinator and edge coach.
In the years since he left, Dawson coached four seasons with Frost at Nebraska (2018 as defensive line coach, 2020-21 as outside linebackers coach, 2022 as edge coach), spent one season with the New York Giants as outside linebackers coach in 2019 and most recently has been an analyst at Ohio State (2023) and Kansas (2024).
We caught up with Dawson at the recent staff media day.
The same questions people are asking Coach Frost apply to you, too. Kind of like deja vu, right? You were part of his journey the first time, so what was it like coming back to UCF?
"Yeah, this place was great, and we loved our time here when we were here a few years back. Orlando is really hard to beat as far as probably the best cities in the country. It's a lot of fun here, and obviously everybody talks about the weather, and that part's great.
"But we also had some great relationships, great friends, not only here on campus but also in the community. And because of that, we knew exactly where we wanted to move when we were coming back and able to come in at least kind of knowing the area a little bit more. That makes it a little bit different.
"And also, it's really grown. Even in the short period of time since we've been gone, there's a lot more development and a lot more people. The traffic's definitely increased over the last few years, for sure."
Have some of the former players that you coached at UCF reached out?
"Oh, sure. That was a special group that we had, and there was quite a few guys that reached out and that were excited that we were coming back and had the opportunity to do that. And then the guys that you coach, you kind of stay in touch with.
"It's funny how you grow. Some of the stories of maybe getting to almost to a tipping point with some guys were maybe loudly encouraged at times where you thought all of a sudden this was going to go sideways. Now they're the most fun stories that we have telling each other.
"Remember that time when this happened or that time? We always get a good laugh out of it. So a great bunch of guys that I had last time around that were excited that we were able to have the opportunity to come back and see those guys."
So just talking to Coach Grinch a few minutes ago, he said this isn't the first time you've worked on the same staff. He was just telling us you have connections working on the same staff at New Hampshire when Chip Kelly was the OC there. Is that kind of when that relationship started?
"Yeah, 2005 we were on the same staff in New Hampshire. I was the linebackers coach and the defensive coordinator. Grinch was the corners coach. Great guy, great family.
"Really looking forward to working with him. He's super smart, very intelligent, understands the game very well. Looking forward to a little role reversal, but that's probably a good thing. To get a chance to work with him is pretty exciting."
How does his philosophy kind of align with your philosophy and what you like to do on the edge? What have those conversations been like as you get ready for spring ball?
"Yeah, for us, the guys on the edge, it's become a pretty unique position where the zone read is taking over the game, which makes you kind of almost defend the triple option all the time. Then you have to be able to rush the quarterback and you've got to drop every once in a while into pass coverage. You're doing a lot of different things.
"The big thing with the guys is we've got to be physical on the run game, be able to set the edge of the defense for us, or be able to get the ball directed where we need it to, whether you're knocking the ball back inside or you're spilling the ball out to support. No one can understand when you have to do each of those. Then you have to, in the pass game, be able to get ready and get after the quarterback.
"I always tell the guys, and then we have to drop maybe just a little bit. You'll be able to do all those different things. It's fun for me because you get to teach all the different phases of the game. I'm looking forward to working with this group for sure."
You were at Kansas last year. Were you involved in scouts of opponents where you're coming in with a Big 12 knowledge base?
"Yeah, I was fortunate enough to be on the staff at Kansas and work for a great head coach and a great staff. The guys were awesome and got a chance for me to be able to be in the Big 12. First time I've had that experience. I got to see a lot of the teams that we were playing against. We didn't play UCF last year, obviously, but I did have a chance to scout a lot of the other teams offensively anyways and see what they were doing, and then got to watch a lot of the teams on defense on crossover film. So I got to see a good amount of the league.
"It's a great league, very innovative, and the offenses present you with a bunch of different problems. So I'm looking forward to the challenge and looking forward to getting out with the guys."
Yeah, just kind of talk more about that, getting out with the guys. What do you like about your room, getting to know the guys? I know you have some guys returning that have experience. I know you've got some portal guys too. What's that room looking like right now?
"Yeah, I think that's going to be a challenge for us as assistant coaches from now on. You've got to get to know your room pretty quickly. Sometimes there's going to be turnover.
"I guess you hope sometimes there isn't, but for us to be able to get around the guys, get some relationship building underway and stuff like that, it's pretty exciting. We haven't had a ton of time because of recruiting. After the guys got back from when classes started, after Christmas break was right about the same time we went out and hit the road recruiting. So we've just gotten back in and looking forward to getting around those guys more."
Speaking of recruiting, do you have a certain area, territory, is it kind of flexible? Do you go after D-line targets?
"Yeah, I think it's for us. Everybody's kind of had an area, and we all share a piece of Florida. For me, I'm on the Gulf Coast, really over from Sarasota down to Naples. So that would kind of be my area down that way.
"Ever since I've been with Coach Frost, I've been the resident Northeasterner. So I take the trip up north. We've had some success. In the past with the guys, either up through Philadelphia, New Jersey, or Connecticut, and even hit a Midwest swing now. So wherever Coach tells me to go, I'm game for it. I'm not afraid to travel and go do those things."
Speaking of Philadelphia, you worked with the Eagles who just won the Super Bowl.
"I was there three years. Yeah, very happy for Mr. Lurie and Mr. Roseman. Those guys, what they've been able to do there is really awesome. It was a great place to work. I really enjoyed my three years there for sure. Happy for those guys to get another championship under the belt. That was fun the other night."
