FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) — Fayetteville High School named its new head football coach on Wednesday (Jan. 25).
Billy Dawson will take over as head football coach for the Bulldogs, according to a Fayetteville Public School press release. Dawson is currently the head coach at 6A Russellville.
Dawson led Russellville to their first ever state championship win last season and has four career state championships after leading Nashville to three straight titles from 2005-07. Dawson has an overall coaching record of 174-57. Dawson also spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Arkansas Tech from 2002-03.
“We are happy to welcome Coach Dawson and his wife, Karen, to Fayetteville and the Purple Dog family,” said Athletic Director Steve Janski. “Coach Dawson has an impeccable reputation across the state of Arkansas as a leader, mentor, and coach of student-athletes. Billy’s tremendous success and his strong character and integrity make him the right fit for Fayetteville.”
Dawson completed the turnaround of the Russellville program in just two seasons and it culimanited with a convincing win over state power Greenwood in the 6A championship game.
“After talking with Dr. Wendt and hearing his vision for the Fayetteville program and then meeting with Director of Athletics Steve Janski and getting a real sense for his passion, I knew that we were very compatible,” said Coach Dawson. “I knew Fayetteville, with its rich tradition, would be a great place for me. My wife and I are excited about becoming a part of the Fayetteville community. There was only one job in Arkansas that I would be interested in, and as I have repeated often, that job is right here in Fayetteville.”
Dawson replaces Bill Blankenship who left Fayetteville to take the head coaching position at Owasso, Okla. after just one season with the Bulldogs. Blankenship led Fayetteville to a 12-1 season and their second straight state title. The Bulldogs have now had three head coaches in less than a calendar year, the first being Daryl Patton. Patton resigned due to an inappropriate relationship on campus and is now the coach at Bauxite.
Dawson will be officially hired to the position at a school board meeting on Thursday at 5 p.m.
