Matt Dawson begins the second year of his second tenure on Tom Masella's staff in 2011 as the Fordham defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. He previously served on the Fordham staff in 2006 as the special teams and inside linebackers coach. Last fall, Dawson guided a Fordham defense that was third against the rush in the Patriot League and 41st among all NCAA FCS teams, allowing 136.5 yards/game. The Rams were also the third best league team in opponents first downs/game, allowing 20.2 per game. In 2009, Dawson was an assistant coach at the University of New Hampshire, working with the linebackers. One of his student-athletes received All-New England and All-Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA) honors in 2009 while two received Academic All-CAA accolades. The Wildcats, who won the CAA Northern Division, advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA FCS Championships where they fell to eventual national champions, Villanova University. New Hampshire ended the season ranked seventh in the country. Dawson arrived at New Hampshire after serving for two years as a graduate assistant at the University of Oregon, where he served as a defensive graduate assistant for two years. Prior to Oregon, Dawson spent five seasons coaching in the NCAA FCS ranks, including the 2006 season at Fordham, where he coached special teams and inside linebackers. In 2007 the Ducks won the Brut Sun Bowl while in 2008 they dedfeated Oklahoma State in the Holiday Bowl. Dawson worked for three seasons at his alma mater, starting at Massachusetts in 2002 as a graduate assistant. In 2003, Dawson took over tight ends before a one-year stint at Central Connecticut coaching linebackers and special teams in 2004 under Masella. The Blue Devils had a sensational season in 2004, winning the Northeast Conference, finishing with an 8-2 overall record. Dawson returned to the Minutemen in 2005 as the assistant defensive line and outside linebackers coach, helping lead the team to a 7-4 mark and second-place Atlantic 10 finish. As an undergraduate, Dawson served as a student assistant coach for the Minutemen during the 2000 season, helping UMass to a 7-4 record. Dawson earned a bachelor's degree in Sports Management from the school in 2001. He lettered four times for the Minutemen from 1996-1999, serving as team captain during his senior season. A three-year starter at outside linebacker, Dawson helped UMass to the NCAA Division I-AA national championship in 1998 and an Atlantic 10 Conference title in 1999. He finished his career with 250 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and eleven pass breakups.