Loren Dawson

Loren Dawson (born c. 1966) is an American high school football coach. He is the head football coach for the American Leadership Academy, a position he has held since 2023. He was the head football coach for Austin College from 2010 to 2022.

Playing career
Dawson grew up in Casa Grande, Arizona, and played high school football for Casa Grande Union High School. In 1984, he played college football for Phoenix College. In 1987, he transferred to Austin College as a defensive back under head coach Mel Tjeerdsma.

Coaching career
In 1990, Dawson began his coaching career as an assistant coach for Bourgade Catholic High School. In 1993, he served as a graduate assistant for Midwestern State under head coach Mike Calcote. In 1994, he returned to Bourgade Catholic as the head coach. After two years as head coach, he joined Phoenix College as the offensive line coach and linebackers coach. In 1999, he was promoted to assistant head coach, special teams coordinator, and defensive backs coach. In 2002, Dawson served as the defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator for his first stint with Austin under head coaches David Norman and Ronnie Gage. In 2008, he was the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach for Colorado Mines under head coach Bob Stitt.

In 2010, Dawson earned his first college head coaching position for Austin College. In thirteen years as head coach he led the team to a 37–85 record and increased the team's roster to over 100 during his tenure. His best seasons came from 2013 to 2015 and in 2019 when the team finished 5–5. He resigned following the 2022 season.

In 2023, Dawson returned to high school football as the head football coach for the American Leadership Academy.