Miami Hurricanes Quarterbacks Coach/Offensive Coordinator Shannon Dawson has turned down a jaw-dropping $2 million offer from the LSU Tigers.

In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the college football world, Shannon Dawson, the highly regarded quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes, has declined a lucrative $2 million offer from the LSU Tigers. The offer from LSU was part of a substantial push by the Tigers to bring Dawson to Baton Rouge as part of their offensive revitalization project. However, Dawson, who has quickly established himself as one of the brightest offensive minds in the country, has opted to stay with the Hurricanes and continue his work in Miami.

This move comes at a critical juncture in the development of Miami’s football program, and it has immediate and long-term implications for both the Hurricanes and LSU. For Miami, retaining Dawson ensures that the program will maintain its offensive momentum, while LSU, now forced to reassess its coaching staff, faces a major setback in its efforts to rebuild its offense. The decision has led to a variety of questions and speculation regarding Dawson’s motivations and what this could mean for the future of Miami football.

Shannon Dawson’s career in college football has been on an upward trajectory ever since he began his coaching career. His ability to transform offenses into high-powered, dynamic units has made him a sought-after commodity in the world of college football coaching. Dawson’s resume includes stints at various universities, where he has consistently improved the productivity and efficiency of the offenses he has worked with.

His journey to prominence began as an offensive coordinator at the University of Houston, where he worked under head coach Dana Holgorsen. Dawson helped lead the Cougars to one of the most explosive offenses in the country, implementing a pass-heavy system that turned Houston into one of the top offenses in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Dawson’s success at Houston quickly caught the attention of power programs, and his reputation as a talented offensive coordinator began to spread.

When Dawson was hired by Miami head coach Mario Cristobal in 2022, the move was hailed as a major coup for the Hurricanes. Miami had struggled with offensive inconsistency for years, and the addition of Dawson to the staff was seen as a potential game-changer. The 2023 season saw immediate results as Dawson’s offense quickly gelled and became one of the most potent in the ACC. The development of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who was once considered a possible draft pick but had seen his stock decline, was a key achievement. Under Dawson’s guidance, Van Dyke looked like the star he was projected to be, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns in the 2023 season alone.

What made Dawson’s offense so effective was its versatility. He was able to tailor his schemes to fit the strengths of his personnel, blending a potent passing attack with a balanced running game. Dawson’s philosophy revolved around a fast-paced, tempo-driven offense designed to overwhelm opposing defenses. The success of the Miami offense under Dawson’s leadership gave the Hurricanes a new identity as an offensive juggernaut, and many believed it was just the beginning of a promising era for Miami football.

Dawson’s work didn’t go unnoticed. His reputation grew exponentially as Miami’s offensive unit continued to dominate in the ACC. Teams began to take notice of the impact Dawson was having in Miami, and his name became linked with various high-profile coaching openings across the country.

LSU, a powerhouse program in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), has long been known for its strong defense and physical, run-heavy offense. However, in recent years, LSU has struggled to consistently compete for national championships, particularly in the area of offensive production. Under head coach Brian Kelly, the Tigers have made strides, but the offense has often lacked the explosiveness and consistency necessary to contend at the highest level.

In an effort to remedy these shortcomings and build a championship-caliber offense, LSU turned its attention to Shannon Dawson. The Tigers were looking for an innovative offensive mind capable of unlocking the potential of their talented roster and taking their offense to the next level. LSU had already brought in talented quarterbacks and playmakers, but the team’s offensive identity was still in flux. Kelly and his staff knew that in order to challenge the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and other SEC heavyweights, they needed to make a major move in the offensive coaching ranks.

The $2 million offer to Dawson was part of LSU’s aggressive pursuit of one of the most sought-after offensive minds in college football. The offer would have made Dawson one of the highest-paid offensive coordinators in the country, a reflection of the Tigers’ belief in his ability to lead their offense to greatness. The offer was also a testament to Dawson’s growing stature in the coaching world and the high demand for his services.

For Dawson, the LSU offer presented an enticing opportunity. The Tigers were a storied program with championship aspirations, and the prospect of coaching in the SEC, arguably the most competitive conference in college football, would have been a career-defining move. The financial incentives were significant, and the opportunity to work in one of the most prestigious programs in the country was undoubtedly appealing.

However, despite the lucrative offer, Dawson made the surprising decision to stay at Miami. This decision has raised many questions. What led Dawson to turn down such a substantial offer, especially when it came from a program with the resources and history of LSU? Was it loyalty to Mario Cristobal and the vision he has for Miami football? Was it a belief in the direction the Hurricanes are headed under Cristobal’s leadership? Or was it simply that Dawson feels he is in the right place to achieve his goals?

For Miami, Shannon Dawson’s decision to remain with the Hurricanes is a monumental win. The program had already been making strides under Cristobal, and the stability that Dawson brings to the offensive side of the ball is crucial to Miami’s long-term success. The Hurricanes have often been a program with great talent but inconsistent coaching, and Dawson’s expertise is one of the key factors in the team’s resurgence.

Dawson’s decision to turn down LSU ensures that Miami will maintain its offensive continuity heading into the 2025 season and beyond. With Dawson at the helm of the offense, Miami has a real chance to build a championship contender. The development of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, as well as the emergence of several key playmakers, has the potential to make Miami one of the most dangerous offensive units in the ACC.

Moreover, Dawson’s decision sends a message to the rest of the college football world that Miami is a program on the rise. It signals that the Hurricanes are committed to building a sustainable and successful football program, one that can compete with the top teams in the nation. By keeping Dawson, Miami is sending a message that it values stability, growth, and long-term success over short-term financial gain.

With Dawson’s leadership, the Hurricanes’ offense is poised to take the next step. The team has the talent, coaching, and infrastructure to be a force in the ACC, and Dawson’s decision to remain will only help further solidify Miami’s standing as a program that can compete at the highest level.

For LSU, Dawson’s decision to remain at Miami represents a significant setback in their efforts to rebuild their offense. The Tigers had identified Dawson as one of the top candidates to lead their offensive resurgence, and his rejection of the offer leaves LSU scrambling to find a replacement. The Tigers will now have to reevaluate their options and potentially look at other candidates to take over the reins of the offense.

The timing of Dawson’s decision is especially critical for LSU. The Tigers are coming off a strong 2024 season and are looking to build on that momentum with an improved offensive scheme. Losing Dawson to Miami is a blow to those plans, as LSU will now have to navigate the process of finding a new offensive coordinator who can quickly implement their vision for the future.

While LSU has the resources to attract top-tier coaching talent, Dawson’s decision to stay at Miami makes clear that the Tigers will need to make a compelling case to any potential candidates. Whether LSU can find an offensive coordinator who can match Dawson’s innovative approach and ability to maximize talent remains to be seen.

As Shannon Dawson continues to work with the Miami Hurricanes, all eyes will be on the progress of the offense. The 2025 season presents a critical opportunity for the Hurricanes to continue their upward trajectory, and Dawson will play a central role in shaping the team’s offensive identity. With a strong recruiting class and a quarterback in Van Dyke who is poised to break out even further, Dawson has the tools at his disposal to create one of the most dynamic offenses in college football.

Dawson’s decision to stay at Miami has cemented his status as one of the top offensive minds in the game. As the Hurricanes look to challenge for an ACC title and beyond, Dawson’s work will be central to the team’s success. With a long-term commitment to the program and a growing sense of momentum, Miami football appears to be on the cusp of something special.

For now, the focus will remain on what Dawson can achieve with Miami, as the Hurricanes prepare for a 2025 season that promises to be filled with high expectations and plenty of excitement. And for those who doubted Miami’s ability to compete at the highest level, Dawson’s decision to stay in Coral Gables should serve as a loud and clear signal: the Hurricanes are ready to make their mark on college football.