The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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60 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2023 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? offensive line and assistant head coach for one of the most recognizable high school programs in the country. "It means a lot to be at Cass," Daw- son said. "I was a Cass guy. I was an All- American there and part of back-to-back state championship teams. I know what it's like to have Coach [Thomas] Wilcher demanding everything out of you. Being able to relate to the kids and understand- ing where they are coming from is the thing I like the most. It's a national name, and my job is to make sure Cass remains a national name and doesn't fall off." Some believed Cass Tech would fall off after the departure of longtime head coach and U-M alum Thomas Wilcher, who is now the director of community and high school relations at Michigan State. However, new head coach Marvin Rushing and Dawson have done a fantas- tic job of keeping the tradition going. This season, a young Cass Tech team bounced back from a 1-3 start to finish 9-4 with an appearance in the Division I state semifinals. The year was highlighted with a city championship win over archri- val Detroit King High School. "I hate King," Dawson said. "That ri- valry is even deeper than Michigan and Michigan State. Beating them felt amaz- ing after losing to them twice last year and by five points earlier in the year. We ran the ball until the cows came home, and they couldn't stop it. That was a great feeling as the offensive line coach." That certainly sounds a lot like Michi- gan's game plans. So, it's no surprise Dawson spent some time back at U-M this offseason, tak- ing in tips and advice from offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore as well as his former teammate Grant Newsome, who is now the team's tight ends coach. Under Moore, the Wolverines have captured back-to-back Joe Moore Awards for the best offensive line group in college football. "I've reached out to Coach Moore about zone blocking schemes and tech- niques," Dawson said. "I went up there with Khalid Hill [former Michigan full- back and also a current Cass Tech assis- tant] in the spring and watched film and practice. There were a lot of good things that I picked up. We actually sat down with Grant Newsome, who we played with, and we were able to pick up a few things. Grant was always smart. It's not a surprise to anyone. We expect him to go even further. "I love where the Michigan program is going now. I love the grit they have in the offensive line group with Coach Moore. That's what has taken us over the hump — being able to run the ball down your throat." Perhaps Dawson can follow a simi- lar path as Newsome, who quickly ascended from player to graduate as- sistant to a rising star in the coaching industry. While he's happy with the work he's doing at Cass Tech, Dawson admitted his dream is to one day coach at the col- legiate level. Coaching isn't just a hobby for Dawson. He takes pride in his craft and views it as his long-term career. "My end goal is to be a college head coach," Dawson said. "I'm going to be at Cass until I get an opportunity to move up into the college ranks. That's what I'm hopeful for." ❏ JOIN THEWOLVERINE.COM JOIN THEWOLVERINE.COM ONLY $29.99 ONLY $29.99 FOR ACCESS UNTIL AUG. 31, 2023! FOR ACCESS UNTIL AUG. 31, 2023! TheWolverine.com: The Premier Michigan Site, Now On The Network! Sign up now at TheWolverine.com! LIMITED TIME OFFER! The David Dawson File Michigan Accomplishments: Member of U-M's No. 5-ranked recruiting class in 2013 … Earned three letters at U-M and played in 16 games as an offensive lineman in his career. Professional Accomplishments: Assistant head coach and offensive line coach at Cass Tech High School … Helped lead the team to a 9-4 record and the Detroit Public School League championship in 2022 with a 28-14 win over archrival King High. Michigan Memories: Building great relationships and friends at U-M, including teammate Mike McCray, his daughter's godfather. Favorite Spot In Ann Arbor: The Big House. Education: Graduated from the U-M College of Literature, Science and the Arts with a B.A. degree in Afroamerican and African Studies.