While attending Shawnee State University last year, John Dawson appeared in 30 games for the men’s basketball team, averaging seven points per game with a season high of 18 points in a big road win over Wilberforce University. Dawson, now known as Coach JD, is back on the Bears’ bench this season as a member of the team’s coaching staff.
Prior to his only season as a player at Shawnee State, Dawson played at Lakeland Community College and Kentucky Christian University.
“My honest opinion, growing up I never wanted to be a coach because the people I had around me always reminded me that it was go pro or nothing,” Dawson said. “So that’s what I focused on my entire life. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school when my head coach even put the thought in my head. After winning the state championship, he made sure to remind me every single day that he saw me that I should go into coaching, but me being who I was at the time, I just let it go in one ear and out the other because that’s not what I was worried about or even focused on.
“As life continued, though, and I made my way through college, it wasn’t until my junior year of college I knew I wanted to go into coaching. Seeing kids I watched grow up being misled and sold fake dreams never sat right with me.”
Dawson is not the only member of the team navigating his transition from player to coach. Several of his teammates from last year have returned to the lineup and are experiencing a shift in their relationships with Dawson from friend or roommate to coach and mentor.
“I would say it’s been fun,” senior Tre Beard said. “We had a good relationship on the court, so I believe our relationship could only grow from here on out. The only hard part is calling him ‘Coach’ instead of the nickname I had for him during the year. But yeah, it’s been fun. Can’t wait for the season to start and see him learn from our other coaches!”
Beard added that the transition in their relationship has gone smoothly and that he almost sees it as a positive to have a younger coach on staff. Some of the positives mentioned by players include having a coach who is familiar with current styles of play and workout regimens and can relate well with players because he’s not far removed from his own playing days.
“The thing I look forward to most is getting to know each individual,” Dawson said. “Secondly, I’m excited about learning more and more about the game. Even though I’m a coach now at my young age, I still have a lot to learn as the game continues to grow.”
Dawson’s experiences as a former teammate put him into a unique position to connect quickly with current players and help foster an environment of trust and understanding. As he embraces his new role, his enthusiasm for mentoring and learning more about the game from a new viewpoint is apparent. Understanding the team’s goal of winning another championship, Dawson is set to make a lasting impact on both the players and the program. As the new season approaches, the combination of Dawson’s insights and passion for the game signals a bright future for the first-year assistant coach.
