Miami Offensive Coordinator Shannon Dawson Calls Indiana's D "very Challenging"

Shannon Dawson began his coaching profession pinch Hal Mumme successful 2003 astatine Southeastern Louisiana wherever he was an violative value power coach and nan team’s moving backs coach successful 2004. He followed Mumme to New Mexico State, and past started worked his measurement up nan assemblage ranks from places for illustration Millsaps and Stephen F. Austin, to West Virginia, Kentucky, Southern Miss and Houston, earlier yet landing successful Miami successful 2023.

He's had 3 starting quarterbacks pinch nan Hurricanes, including Cam Ward successful 2024, and connected Monday will coach Carson Beck successful nan National Championship Game against No. 1 Indiana. Here's everything he had to opportunity astir that and much during his NCG media convention connected Saturday:

Q: D'Angelo Ponds has been classed nan champion area successful nan Big Ten and nan Top 5 successful nan nation. What type of effect does a subordinate for illustration Ponds person connected your discourtesy Monday night?

SHANNON DAWSON: I mean he's ever astir nan ball. The kid is very seldom retired of place. He's conscionable a really bully shot player, and he's 1 of a batch that play for them. So, yeah, I mean, nan building of their defense allows him to get eyes connected nan backmost and trigger connected nan ball. And he does a really bully occupation wrong their scheme. But he's besides a very instinctive player. Like erstwhile nan shot comes his way, I mean, he tin time off and spell trigger arsenic bully arsenic I've seen. So he's conscionable a really elite player.

Q. Coach, going backmost to benignant of immoderate points a small spot earlier successful this playoff run, particularly nan Texas A&M game. You guys really leaned heavy connected nan tally there. And you said yourself it's benignant of difficult to benignant of beryllium diligent and spot whenever thing is moving successful a crippled for illustration that. How do you benignant of find nan equilibrium betwixt patience and besides evidently looking to alteration and looking to accommodate to immoderate nan defense is doing whenever you're successful a win-or-take-all crippled for illustration this?

SHANNON DAWSON: Yeah, I mea, it's an soul struggle astatine times, because inherently I want to beryllium aggressive, but yet I want to triumph nan game. And truthful I deliberation I person to beryllium successful tune to nan travel of nan crippled and what's working. And we pass betwixt drives, betwixt each drive. We person iPads now, truthful we watch and effort to pinpoint what's working. The travel of nan crippled matters, and there's different situations and different things that popular up successful each game. In that crippled particularly, it was immoderate reliable circumstances successful that crippled that dictated a batch of things. But yet we want to beryllium aggressive, but I telephone it cautiously aggressive. We are a squad that leans connected nan tally game. We've done it each year. And truthful it starts pinch that, but yet we person to push nan shot down nan section astatine times, too. And I conscionable gotta spell backmost and distant pinch erstwhile to return those chances.

Q. Shannon, erstwhile you guys were evaluating transportation quarterbacks past twelvemonth and decided that Carson was nan correct fresh for you, what concerns, if any, did you person astir his health, and really has he benignant of bonded pinch you successful specified a short clip truthful that symbiosis betwixt play caller and backmost is there?

SHANNON DAWSON: Yeah. It was a wholly different travel pinch him because he didn't spell done spring. So we had immoderate concerns astatine nan opening astir nan room and everything, but we talked to a batch of doctors. And Nick Mullens was a backmost I had years ago, and he had this akin surgery. Brock Purdy had a akin surgery, and they were some worse than Carson's, and nan room was a different time; and they sewage back, and some of them felt really assured nan adjacent twelvemonth and felt good. So location was a batch of conversations that were had to get complete nan hump of, hey -- I'm not a doctor, you know, and I don't dress to beryllium a doctor. So I had to person immoderate conversations to make america consciousness bully astir that. But yet nan building of nan narration started astatine an awkward time, because we unrecorded successful a different clip now. You don't enlistee a kid for a twelvemonth and a half, get to cognize him and his family and each nan rest. It's much for illustration an NFL attack now. But our personalities did lucifer very good together. He's a very low-key guy. He's very easy to coach, because he's very cerebral. He pays attraction to what you say, tries to do, very coachable kid. So I deliberation that helped done nan process.

Q. Coach, beyond nan production, what has CharMar Brown brought to this squad aft coming successful from North Dakota State?

SHANNON DAWSON: Consistency. I mean, his characteristic is disconnected nan chart, you know. He's a feline that really a batch of kids should look astatine arsenic acold arsenic his perseverance and his attitude. When things didn't ever spell his measurement this year, but he stayed constant. He stayed positive. He didn't waiver. And erstwhile his number was called, he did his job, and he's done that each year. So I can't opportunity capable astir nan kid arsenic acold arsenic his attack and his attitude, particularly successful today's property wherever it's a "I gotta get mine" mentality, right, and everybody wants it correct now and wants a ton of it. And sometimes you conscionable gotta enactment nan people and you gotta upwind immoderate ups and downs. I mean, that's nan measurement life is. So he's a awesome illustration of staying nan course, staying positive, blocking retired nan noise, because everybody's sewage nan group successful their receptor erstwhile things aren't going your way. Sometimes it's very adjacent group to you, right, and you gotta artifact retired each that and you gotta attraction connected what matters and what you cognize reality is. And past erstwhile you get your chance, you gotta return advantage of it, and he did. I can't opportunity capable astir nan kid. I emotion nan kid. His attitude, his characteristic is astir apt what pushed done nan astir pinch him.

Q. Shannon, nan measurement things are now pinch transportation quarterbacks coming successful often for 1 year, really overmuch of a consciousness do you cognize what you're getting?

SHANNON DAWSON: I mean, different than watching movie and trying to do arsenic overmuch inheritance investigation arsenic you can, things hap beautiful quickly, too. It conscionable truthful happened pinch Carson, location was a mates of group successful his past that I'm very adjacent with. Todd Monken was one. Had a agelong speech pinch him. He recruited him to Georgia. He astir apt knows him nan champion because Todd's boy and him played connected a summertime convention shot squad together. So he gave maine a batch of penetration connected nan kid. Buster Faulkner was a feline that was astatine Georgia that I've known very well. And truthful I had a speech pinch him, conscionable to benignant of get nan personality, because there's each -- I mean, look, there's each benignant of narratives retired there, astir apt from me, from everybody, right. And getting to nan truth a batch of times is hard. You gotta trim done nan weeds a small bit. But those 2 guys were very instrumental successful telling maine a batch astir him, made maine consciousness really bully astir it. And past you tin put connected portion and spot that he's a very talented quarterback. That was easy. That was nan easy part. The different worldly is nan worldly that I wanted to cognize a small spot much about. But aft talking to them, it made my determination really easy.

Q. Is it inevitable arsenic a programme if that's nan way you spell down pinch your quarterbacks that astatine immoderate constituent you're going to get 1 that's a bust that it's conscionable not going to work?

SHANNON DAWSON: I mean, are you a gambler? Are you a blackjack player?

Q. I mean, I've played blackjack before?

SHANNON DAWSON: Yeah. Well, thing is 100 percent successful life. And inherently I americium an old-school soul. Like I for illustration processing kids, and I deliberation reps wrong a strategy matter. And I deliberation astatine immoderate constituent that's going to mean more, right?

Q. What did this coaching unit spot successful Carson Beck benignant of successful nan opening of it all, going done nan transportation portal and trying to find nan correct feline to lead aft Cam Ward? Just what was it astir him that stuck retired to you nan astir that stays existent to today?

SHANNON DAWSON: The 1 point is he's played successful a batch of large games. And we looked astatine his profession arsenic 1 of, man, this kid's sewage a batch of experience. We felt for illustration we were a really bully shot team, and we felt for illustration we needed personification that's played successful immoderate large games, because we were hoping to play successful immoderate large games. And he's been successful a batch of them. And truthful that was nan 1 point astatine nan opening that I looked astatine is like, man, this kid's won a batch of games, but he's won a batch of large games and been successful a batch of large games. And truthful that acquisition was very overmuch truthful a large constituent successful taking him. Now, you gotta person nan talent. Like I had -- look, everybody evaluates quarterbacks differently, right? And I deliberation 99 percent of nan group screw it up, because yet you person to beryllium an meticulous thrower from nan pouch to beryllium a productive quarterback, period. Everybody gets enamored with, oh, this, that, nan kid tin tally a -- I don't care. Like if you can't propulsion it accurately from nan pocket, past I'm not that bully of a coach. Does that make sense? So yet that's what I wanted to spot connected film. Like what benignant of subordinate is he? Is he a progression quarterback? Is he sitting successful nan pouch uncovering lanes and triggering done it pinch accuracy? And that's what he was. Now, you don't ever spot that erstwhile you put connected tape. A batch of offenses coming are RPO driven wherever nan -- you know, hell, I could play quarterback, you know? But yet we do it a small different way. Like you gotta dissect defenses; you gotta propulsion done lanes intermediate passing. And there's reads. So yet that's what I wanted to see, and that's what he did. And he's a very cerebral player. So you could spot that connected tape. Like he was really bully from nan pocket. I do deliberation he's much diversion than group springiness him in installments for. We've urged him to make immoderate plays pinch his feet, which he has complete nan past period aliases so. But yet that's what I wanted. What I want each nan clip is if you can't make your layups, past violative shot is simply a struggle.

Q. When Malachi steps connected nan field, first clip you saw him successful practice, what was that like?

SHANNON DAWSON: Look, nan kid's been -- what you spot is what he's been from time one. Even going done campy I was very reserved pinch giving him a batch of praise, because yet not doing it successful a game, you know, you want to spot it erstwhile nan lights are on, right? And I person seen astatine times successful my profession wherever kids don't make that modulation till later. Like it takes immoderate time. Like acquisition matters successful this game. Typically older kids are amended than younger kids, right? That's astir apt 1 logic why Indiana is specified a bully squad and specified a bully defense. They person a bunch of older shot players. They don't get rattled a lot. Like nan crippled is not excessively large for them. So I was hoping pinch him that was nan case, that nan crippled wasn't excessively large for him. And fortunate for us, we had a large crippled first game, and he showed up. And truthful ever since past it's been beautiful consistent.

Q. He's a young guy. He showed up astatine 17, right?

SHANNON DAWSON: Yeah, this should beryllium his elder twelvemonth successful precocious school.

Q. So erstwhile he first came up for illustration moving out, could you tell?

SHANNON DAWSON: No, not until we started. Obviously they were throwing nan shot astir and stuff, and I person a batch of conversations pinch nan quarterbacks astir accomplishment guys and stuff. And for illustration evidently his shot skills are really, really elite. But yet erstwhile we started playing, right, erstwhile we started practicing, he was conscionable -- he ever made -- he made plays each day, and sometimes they were for illustration plays that you scratch your head, you know. And truthful yet I do not cognize what makes him him, you know. I deliberation you gotta springiness a batch of in installments to our Maker, you know. He was conscionable put connected this world to play slot receiver successful our offense, and he does a damn bully occupation of it.

Q. With nan unit location to get it correct astatine nan backmost position if you spell into nan portal, tin you connection a small model into what nan past 2 weeks person been for illustration trying to get that determination correct for adjacent twelvemonth while besides preparing for nan biggest crippled you perchance can?

SHANNON DAWSON: Yeah. With maine I attraction connected nan game. I don't really get progressive successful that. So my attraction is strictly connected nan game.

Q. Coach, each of nan past 2 years, pinch Carson and Cam, obviously, they were knowledgeable quarterbacks who came present pinch aggregate years arsenic a starter nether their belt. Do you consciousness for illustration it's important to effort to find acquisition specifically astatine nan backmost position if you are going to spell into nan portal arsenic opposed to a reddish garment freshman who possibly was really promising retired of precocious schoolhouse aliases thing for illustration that?

SHANNON DAWSON: I mean, I deliberation acquisition matters astatine each position. Like I was telling my man complete here, I mean, older kids typically play amended than younger kids. Not always, but for illustration if you're going to rotation nan dice and play nan odds, older kids typically are amended than younger kids. Now, I do deliberation we person nan champion backmost room successful nan nation. We person very talented guys successful our backmost room.

Q. I wanted to inquire you astir Carson and that erstwhile he came to Miami, he had benignant of a rocky first fewer months pinch wounded and his car getting stolen and coming and learning a caller violative strategy and everything, and that's a batch for everyone to spell through, fto unsocial erstwhile they're successful nan spotlight for illustration he was. So I'm funny if you could benignant of speak to benignant of really you've seen him turn and settee down, I guess, aliases settee successful to Miami complete nan past 9 months fixed his benignant of hectic start?

SHANNON DAWSON: Yeah. There were immoderate things that happened astatine nan beginning, but what that showed maine pinch him is he's a very resilient person. None of that worldly bothered him. I mean, look, he's been done a batch successful his career, and he handles adversity astir apt arsenic bully arsenic I've seen. I mean, moreover erstwhile we had nan hiccups successful nan regular season, nan time aft nan crippled he moved connected beautiful quickly. And that's nan 1 point I was hoping pinch him. Whenever we did not play our champion and we evidently took a mates losses that was a struggle, he bounced backmost nan adjacent time beautiful quick. And I deliberation he handled those situations similar. Whenever bad things happen, he conscionable tends to move on, which I deliberation is 1 of nan champion characteristics of a bully backmost is nan expertise to upwind nan storm, person short-term representation and not get excessively precocious and not get excessively debased and benignant of enactment correct location successful nan middle. And that's his characteristic successful general. He's a beautiful even-keel quality being. He doesn't really get excessively up aliases excessively down. So he gets difficult connected himself astatine times. He is very difficult connected himself, and he's a perfectionist successful a batch of ways. I deliberation that that's thing that for illustration everybody struggles pinch astatine times, for illustration looking successful nan reflector and for illustration really self-reflecting and being difficult connected yourself. But yet I deliberation that's a bully characteristic, too. It's amended to beryllium difficult connected yourself than for illustration constituent fingers to everybody else, right? But he is simply a very resilient dude, and he's been done a lot, and that's astir apt why he weathers things passim nan people of games for illustration he does. He doesn't really get excessively caught up successful nan emotions and nan highs and lows of nan game.

Q. I wanted to inquire astir Indiana specifically. They're an attacking defense, yet they have, it seems like, awesome spread integrity. How basal is that and nan subject that they have? How challenging is it to spell against a squad that seems to person those benignant of qualities?

SHANNON DAWSON: Very challenging. We haven't went against them yet, but I spell against a akin defense each day. And truthful they're elite astatine spread integrity. They really are. Their full beforehand is -- nan measurement that their D-line and linebackers and safeties lucifer up successful nan tally fresh is elite. Like they're very seldom retired of position. I mean you tin watch done nan people of nan full year, and they're conscionable very seldom retired of position. Like they tin dissect things arsenic speedy arsenic I've seen a defense dissect things. And if you person tells, you know, they're very, very smart, their shot IQ. Their linebacker, No. 4, I mean, if you springiness a tell, past he'll beryllium astatine nan constituent of onslaught earlier you are. You cognize what I mean? Like sometimes seems for illustration they cognize nan play that's coming. And a batch of times offenses get successful these rhythms wherever evidently astatine this constituent successful nan play we've played 15 games, they've played 15 games, you really are who you are. And you effort to create wrinkles and worldly and disguise arsenic overmuch arsenic you tin disguise, but yet I cognize what they're going to do connected defense, and they person a beautiful damn bully thought what we're going to do connected offense, and it's going to beryllium who tin execute it better. So it's very challenging. They're an highly well-coached, elite, hard-playing defense, arsenic bully arsenic I've seen. So it's going to beryllium a immense situation for us, but I'm looking guardant to it, too.

Q. They telephone their defense nan illusion defense because what you spot earlier threat whitethorn beryllium different from aft nan shot is snapped. How do you hole for that? What are nan keys for Carson and everybody other identifying things erstwhile things are for illustration that?

SHANNON DAWSON: Yeah. I deliberation that's a awesome point. In my sentiment wrong defense, nan logic they're successful is because they make you play backmost aft nan snap, if that makes consciousness to you. And truthful a batch of times, particularly pinch nan measurement violative shot successful wide is today, pinch a batch of RPOs, which we don't -- we're not a immense RPO offense, but a batch of times quarterbacks are strictly coached, and they for illustration person for illustration this point successful mind earlier nan snap. But pinch them you amended beryllium capable to play backmost aft nan snap. And truthful I do deliberation that we're programmed nan correct way, because our discourtesy is simply a very reactive discourtesy arsenic acold arsenic for illustration our walk crippled goes. We don't really get obsessed pinch pre-snap looks. Now, we return successful nan data, but yet we're a progression offense. Nothing is predetermined successful our offense, which I deliberation is simply a logic why I consciousness bully astir having immoderate success. Now, evidently not excessively galore group have. But we are a post-snap organization. Like our backmost is programmed to spot coverages and spot space. Now, their coverages are, honestly, beautiful damn elite. And they do a really bully occupation of subtly changing coverages. Like it looks very akin to different things they do. They inhabit abstraction highly well, and they play eyes connected nan backmost coverage, which years agone that's really defenses played. Now, a batch of defenses person gone distant from that pinch each nan man sum and three-match worldly group are doing now. So they're really -- they're almost, successful a way, if I tin building this properly, they're benignant of for illustration preparing for an action offense. Like you don't spot it a lot, truthful erstwhile you do spot it, it's a small different, right? So conscionable nan measurement they play sum is simply a small different than everybody else's area coverage, which I deliberation those guys do a really bully job.

Q: Why did you place C.J. Daniels arsenic a target erstwhile he was going to participate nan transportation portal and what makes him effective for your offense?

SHANNON DAWSON: I mean, he has a batch of video grounds of playing really bully football, and you know, he would astir apt admit that LSU didn't spell precisely nan measurement he wanted it to go. But yet I saw a feline that's played a batch of football, a batch of experience, and we've talked astir this pinch a mates different guys, and I conscionable thought that our receiving room needed an older feline that had a batch of experience. Now, pinch that being said, I had nary thought -- for illustration I benignant of had an thought of nan subordinate I was getting, right. But a batch of times, particularly pinch nan transportation portal, you don't person an thought a batch of times of nan personification you're getting. You try. Like you effort to do arsenic overmuch investigation arsenic you tin do. Where we knocked it retired nan parkland pinch him is his characteristic and his leadership. It's elite. Like he is an elite quality being. And truthful I don't cognize if we needfully knew that. We benignant of sewage fortunate pinch that successful a way. We knew nan subordinate we were going to get, and he's had a really bully year, but he's had a bigger effect connected our discourtesy pinch activity and character. Now, he is nan 1 successful that receiver room that keeps everything going successful nan correct direction. I mean, he blocks his ass disconnected and he does nan soiled work, and I deliberation everybody follows suit pinch that. But that's been his biggest impact.

Q. Coach, getting to this shape is simply a large woody for immoderate caput coach, right. And you've been pinch Coach Cristobal now for 3 years and, look, each caput coach has his ain style and measurement of doing things. I'm curious, complete these 3 years, what has impressed you astir his activity style, nan measurement he manages nan squad that you consciousness for illustration has allowed Miami to get to this constituent and play for a National Championship?

SHANNON DAWSON: I mean, I deliberation talent information is 1 of nan biggest things, and acquisition of talent. I mean, it takes talented kids to play astatine this level. And he has a keen oculus of what he wants, particularly erstwhile it comes to up beforehand and really to build a team. And conscionable watching him build this squad from nan O-line, D-line backmost has been oculus opening to me. Now, I do deliberation that different than for illustration conscionable talent, you know, nan measurement that he managed this twelvemonth pinch nan mates losses we had was nan logic we're here, because location wasn't a immense overreaction. It was much truthful of, hey, let's get backmost to nan process, let's get backmost to work, let's fig retired what we person to do to beryllium better. It wasn't a blowup aliases thing for illustration that, which I deliberation astatine times, arsenic adjunct coaches, you're anticipating definite things. Like you ever expect nan worst, right? But I do deliberation that his demeanor successful those times of problem was really adjuvant for our unit and our team. Q. This year, compared to your erstwhile 2 years, erstwhile losses happen, did he grip it different this year? SHANNON DAWSON: No. It's been beautiful consistent. Even my first twelvemonth present -- we didn't suffer 1 till for illustration 4 aliases 5 games, right, nan first year. I deliberation we went for illustration 5 and 0 and past we had for illustration a mates of hiccups. But ultimately, erstwhile you first get to a place, you're ever funny astir that, you know. And truthful it's been beautiful consistent. We enactment beautiful moreover keel done adversity, which I don't deliberation you tin coach successful a productive measurement if you're not. And I deliberation that bleeds complete to our kids, and it bleeds complete to really you negociate games, because if you tin upwind nan storm, typically you tin person immoderate success. But nan play is nan aforesaid way. I mean, look, it's a agelong season, and there's only 1 squad that didn't spell done adversity and they're still playing, right? They've had none. Obviously they've astir apt had immoderate adversity, but they haven't had a loss. And truthful really you grip those losses is important. Q. Coach, defensively speaking, really would you benignant of picture nan personality of Indiana's defense and what they benignant of want to do to opposing offenses astatine their core? SHANNON DAWSON: Well, I mean they're very difficult to tally nan shot against. They're very spread sound. They strain. They get disconnected blocks astir apt arsenic bully arsenic I've seen. It's difficult to prolong blocks against them. And I don't really cognize why different than they play pinch utmost effort. They strain. And truthful their backmost extremity does an unbelievable occupation of disguising coverages. They do a bully occupation of playing -- I mean, their area defense is bully arsenic I've seen. They're mostly zone. They'll play immoderate man astatine times, but they're mostly zone. And nan measurement they operation up area coverages is really elite. They don't really get into a hit arsenic acold arsenic for illustration -- it's almost for illustration -- I would opportunity it's almost for illustration they person these things they do, really overmuch ever it is, let's opportunity it's for illustration eight, and they conscionable benignant of prime them retired of a hat, you know. I don't cognize if -- they'll telephone a akin sum connected 1st that they do connected 3rd and 4, you know. So I mean, it's difficult to get successful a hit against them because they are mixing worldly up connected nan backmost extremity a lot, and they're conscionable really bully astatine area coverage. I mean, their eyes are connected nan quarterback. They move pinch nan quarterback. They do an elite occupation of getting hands connected nan ball. They astir apt person much tipped shot interceptions than I've seen successful a while. So it's a savvy protect portion successful general. Q. Shannon, you benignant of touched connected it there, but it seems for illustration Indiana does a batch of post-snap activity and things up. How are you and Carson capable to activity and simulate that that and spell complete connected film? How overmuch tin you reside that earlier you really spot it? SHANNON DAWSON: Well, I mean, nan bully point is our defense and their defense are very similar. They're from akin backgrounds, right? So we spell against our defense each week. We person definite sets that we do against them each week. That's been very helpful, because yet there's thing amended than for illustration crippled reps. And you get those crippled reps successful those settings. But I would opportunity nan bully point is is our walk crippled is not dictated connected pre-snap looks, if that makes sense. I mean, we're a progression-based offense, and I mean, our quarterback, we put a batch connected him arsenic acold arsenic seeing abstraction and going done his progression and getting it to nan unfastened guy. So I consciousness for illustration we're equipped, but yet location hadn't been a batch of group person a batch of occurrence versus them. And truthful we'll see. We'll spot really it goes.

Q. What's gone into your 3rd down offense, converting nan 3rd downs? How important is that successful a crippled for illustration this pinch a squad that evidently does that good pinch their ain offense?

SHANNON DAWSON: Well, I mean, you gotta do amended connected 2nd down. A batch of 3rd down is getting successful 3rd down situations wherever you tin really execute. There's not a batch of shot teams that execute a batch of third-and-longs connected a regular basis. And truthful if you tin enactment retired of those, you tin person a overmuch amended chance of converting them. So our 3rd down complaint for nan past astir apt 2 aliases 3 games has been really high, and it has a batch to do pinch what we do connected first and 2nd down.

Q. Shannon, nan 3 playoff games offensively person looked different. How overmuch do you spell into nan crippled -- because sometimes you tin grind it out, you tin throw, for illustration past game. How overmuch does that play into a crippled for illustration this?

SHANNON DAWSON: I mean, look, each crippled is different. I mean, nan group you're playing is different. The ambiance is different. The upwind is different. So there's a batch of things that dictate nan travel of nan game. So my occupation yet is to people 1 much constituent than nan opposing team. However that looks is really it looks. But ultimately, I mean, I expect this crippled to beryllium 1 that's we're going to person to grind it out. You know, I mean that's conscionable nan measurement it is. Their defense doesn't springiness up a batch of explosive plays. On nan twelvemonth they person only fixed up a handful, right? So yet this crippled is going to beryllium played astir apt intermediate to nan statement of scrimmage. So I cognize that. And truthful yet we person to beryllium very efficient. Like my man complete here, I mean, getting first downs is crucial. You gotta support nan chains moving, and you gotta get first downs.

Q. Mark Fletcher has been awesome during this College Football Playoff run. Why do you deliberation that is? Why do you deliberation he's turned it up present successful nan playoffs?

SHANNON DAWSON: I mean, astir apt opportunities. He understands that these games transportation a batch of weight, and guys for illustration him thin to emergence successful nan astir important situations. And he's an elite player. And he's really been nan bearer of this offense. We've leaned connected him successful nan astir captious times, and he's came through. You gotta springiness a batch of in installments to our O-line. You gotta springiness a batch of in installments to our tight ends and our receivers. Like it isn't conscionable 1 feline successful nan tally game. It takes everybody, you know. And we're not 1 of those offenses that let receivers to get distant pinch not playing physical. And truthful those guys blocking safeties and being really fierce successful nan tally crippled helps, too. But evidently Mark is nan 1 toting it, astir of nan time, and he's been elite. But he's besides conscionable been that feline since I've been here. He's a feline you tin dangle connected successful reliable times. He's a very dependable personality, precocious character, cares a lot. And he's conscionable difficult to tackle. Big kid.

Q. Just funny really overmuch you've talked to Corey astir his experience, possibly what to face. Any discussions this week astir that benignant of stuff?

SHANNON DAWSON: At length. I've talked to Corey a lot. I talk to Corey a batch successful general, but this week I've evidently leaned connected him a beautiful bully spot because of nan similarities successful defense, and evidently he's worked pinch those guys. I don't cognize really overmuch it'll help. We'll see. But we person had aggregate discussions.

Q. How overmuch has he helped each play long? How has he helped you each play long? You said you've talked to him throughout.

SHANNON DAWSON: Yeah. I'll bounce ideas disconnected of him conscionable successful wide of what defenses -- conscionable accuracy stuff, why do they do definite things for illustration they do. I'm much funny than I americium thing erstwhile I spot thing that's a small spot different. Or if I spot group doing thing complete and complete again, past -- because I'm not wired for illustration a protect coach, you know. And truthful there's a quality betwixt discourtesy and protect coaches. So sometimes I'm conscionable much funny successful really they spot things. You cognize why violative and protect coaches are wired different?

Q. I mean, it's a immense difference.

SHANNON DAWSON: What do you deliberation nan 1 biggest quality is?

Q. I mean, they're conscionable obvious, they're trying to score. The aggressiveness?

SHANNON DAWSON: We tin punt. They can't. Does that make sense?

Q. Coach, I'm funny for you, for illustration really did you guys place Malachi Toney and what has he benignant of meant for you guys?

SHANNON DAWSON: The identifying of him, he's been a bully subordinate for a agelong time. So that was beautiful easy. Now, I don't deliberation anybody would person imagined him having nan effect that he's had this quickly. You ne'er cognize that, because you don't cognize really agelong kids are going to return to settee successful and beryllium who they are. And you spot talent, and you dream that you get it right. You don't ever get it right. I don't cognize what percent that is. But yet erstwhile they get there, nan velocity of their improvement is ever different. Some group deed nan crushed moving and nan crippled is conscionable nan game, and immoderate group it takes a while. College is different than precocious school. They're surviving connected their own. There's a batch of things wrong conscionable mundane life that changes. Sometimes kids person an accommodation period. And truthful everybody's maturity is simply a small different. And truthful I don't deliberation anybody could person foreseen him being what he's been, but I'm judge damn happy that he is.

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Q. What has impressed you nan astir about nan measurement Carson Beck has been capable to lead this team, specifically successful nan postseason, and what do you deliberation makes him specified a awesome leader?

SHANNON DAWSON: I mean, portion of that, too, is conscionable wide conscionable being successful a batch of large games. I deliberation acquisition matters erstwhile it comes to for illustration really a feline approaches things. There's a definite magnitude of nonaccomplishment you person to spell done to person an knowing of like, hey, man, you know, embracing it successful a way, right. And truthful I do deliberation that Carson's playing his champion shot now. And there's a batch of reasons for that, and 1 of nan biggest reasons is, whether group want to admit it aliases not, I mean, you spell into a caller system, you know, I'm different than nan guys that coached him successful nan past. I programme quarterbacks different than he's been programmed. And we didn't person a outpouring shot play to benignant of robust retired a batch of things. And truthful arsenic nan play went, we sewage very fortunate that he's a bully capable subordinate that we benignant of deed nan crushed running. We didn't person a batch of hiccups astatine nan beginning, but erstwhile we did person hiccups, he handled them successful a very master way. He was very affirmative nan adjacent day, bounced backmost very quick. He's an highly coachable kid. Like he listens. He's easy to coach successful nan consciousness of like, A, he's very, very smart. His shot IQ is disconnected nan chart. And there's not a batch of things he doesn't understand. His contiguous feedback is arsenic speedy arsenic I've had probably. I mean, he dissects things and sees it, and he's beautiful meticulous erstwhile he comes disconnected nan sideline. But yet he's playing his champion shot now astir apt because he's had much reps.

Q. Coach, nan Indiana squad forces a batch of turnovers.

SHANNON DAWSON: Do they?

Q. They person nan highest turnover separator successful nan country.

SHANNON DAWSON: I didn't spot that. (Laughs).

Q. Do you for illustration accommodate your crippled scheme to that to minimize nan consequence of -- because nan games that you lost, you each had much turnovers than usual.

SHANNON DAWSON: Did we?

Q. I deliberation so.

SHANNON DAWSON: We effort to protect nan football, and yet successful nan games that we lost, you're correct, we were a small sloppy pinch nan shot astatine times. I do deliberation that location were immoderate conscionable they made bully plays astatine times, too. So a batch of that worldly you really can't control. But their defense does origin a batch of turnovers and a batch of tipped balls. I deliberation it has a batch to do pinch conscionable nan measurement they play area coverage. They get their eyes connected nan quarterback. They trigger connected balls quickly, and they conscionable get balls popped out. And they're ever occupying nan space. So it seems for illustration there's ever a feline location to get it, right? And so, yes, there's nary accommodation to nan crippled plan, but I person stressed nan truth that if we move nan shot over, we will astir apt get beat. And truthful yet erstwhile you person nan shot successful your hand, nan programme is successful your hand, and that word is utilized a beautiful bully bit. And truthful you conscionable person to attraction a batch astir protecting nan football. Now, we do a batch of shot information drills. But arsenic acold arsenic for illustration changing nan crippled scheme because they get a batch of turnovers, I mean that doesn't really beryllium different than conscionable return attraction of nan damn ball, you know.

Q. What stands retired to you astir Indiana's beforehand seven? It runs a batch of simulated pressures. Have you seen looks for illustration that and what does that look for illustration from your standpoint?

SHANNON DAWSON: What's a simulated pressure?

Q. Just mixing up looks successful nan beforehand 7 wherever they driblet guys back.

SHANNON DAWSON: I was making judge you knew what a sim. You good? Nah... Their D-line is very active. They gaffe disconnected blocks astir apt arsenic bully arsenic I've seen. It's very difficult to prolong blocks pinch them. The only point I tin opportunity is that they conscionable play pinch utmost effort. You know, they strain really hard. So they're very difficult to tally nan shot against. They're ever matched up good successful nan tally game. Like their linebackers and their D-line fresh good together. And truthful I deliberation 1 point that sticks retired pinch them is they conscionable play hard. I mean, they really, really play hard. And truthful we person to play hard. We person to decorativeness blocks, which we've done a really, really bully occupation of doing to this point. But it's going to beryllium our biggest trial of nan year, and we cognize that. So that's going to beryllium nan show of nan game. Q. Coach, possibly a individual question. You've coached respective places astir nan state and past came present to Miami successful nan past 3 years. You've produced a number 1 wide pick, and now you're successful nan National Championship. Does it consciousness for illustration a culmination of your profession being astatine this precocious shape astatine this moment? SHANNON DAWSON: In a way. I consciousness much blessed to person nan opportunity. The measurement I position it is very elemental is this. I mean, I've been astir a batch of really, really bully coaches successful my life, and I've been very fortunate to person immoderate group astir maine that person molded maine to get to this constituent that haven't coached successful this game. And truthful I'm very appreciative of being here, and I understand really difficult it is to get here, and I besides understand that it doesn't each astir maine astatine all. Like I person a batch of group successful my past that gave maine opportunities that different group didn't get, and there's a batch of really bully coaches retired there, and I'm very fortunate that I sewage those opportunities. And I look astatine a batch of group successful this occupation that are really, really bully coaches that haven't played successful this crippled yet aliases haven't played it successful their career. And truthful I'm conscionable much blessed to person this opportunity than anything.

Q. I wanted to inquire you astir Malachi. From what I hear, he was a fable from nan clip he was for illustration 10 years aged coming up. How important was it to get him, support him location present and really excited you've been to plug him successful and find ways to usage him?

SHANNON DAWSON: Man, nan excitement of utilizing him is I can't moreover put into words. I mean, what you spot pinch him correct here, I mean, he's that personification each azygous day. He pops successful my agency each day, grin connected his face, glowing. And I deliberation a batch of his occurrence is because he's nan aforesaid personification each day. I mean, he really -- he lifts group successful a room up, and he conscionable has that look. Some group conscionable person that charisma astir them, right? And he does. Now, nan ability, I mean, look, we tin each beryllium and talk astir nan why, but yet he's blessed, right? He has this expertise that God has fixed him, and is he's doing a batch pinch it. We effort to do arsenic overmuch arsenic we tin pinch him, right, but we besides cognize that defenses are going to attraction connected him a lot. Like he was double covered a batch connected that past drive. So different group had to make plays. So that's conscionable portion of -- and that's nan beauty of shot really is for illustration it's a existent squad sport, and erstwhile personification gets a batch of focus, past different group person to measurement up and make plays. And we person capable talent astir him wherever that's possible. But being capable to tinker pinch him and find different ways to move him astir and get him nan shot has been fun. And he tin throw. He tin really propulsion nan football.

Q. How person you seen Alex Bauman turn this year?

SHANNON DAWSON: You know, that's a bully question. I mean, from nan opening of nan twelvemonth till now -- he's a captious portion of our offense. I mean, he does a batch of things that doesn't show up connected nan stats sheet, particularly successful our tally game, and he's starting to really get fierce successful our walk game, too. He's getting targeted much and more. But nan things that he does that don't show up connected nan stats expanse is really what fires maine up astir him. And he's a very selfless person, which I deliberation astatine that position you benignant of inherently person to be, because it's a reliable position. You're benignant of a lineman astatine times, and you're benignant of a receiver. You person to unrecorded successful a batch of different worlds astatine that deal. So you benignant of gotta person a servant mentality there. And he does. He's a awesome teammate. He's an awesome kid to beryllium around. But he's a captious portion of our process, particularly successful nan tally game.

Q. I wanted to inquire astir nan backmost position. Last twelvemonth you had Cam. This twelvemonth you sewage Carson. How overmuch does that thief you successful nan marketplace for nan adjacent backmost and group conscionable looking to opportunity Miami is simply a awesome spot for quarterbacks?

SHANNON DAWSON: Yeah. I deliberation occurrence breeds success. So I do deliberation that past twelvemonth erstwhile we sewage Cam, I deliberation it was very important to -- particularly successful nan quality of assemblage shot today, it's bully to beryllium marketable, you cognize what I mean? And truthful putting things retired location and being capable to create guys to nan adjacent level and being capable to waste that. And that was nan biggest trading constituent pinch Cam was for illustration -- because I had to waste Cam earlier nan success, which is sometimes harder, right. And truthful I had to waste him connected nan image of like, look, man, for illustration I'm going to put you successful a position wherever these NFL teams are going to position you arsenic nan apical quarterback, because you're going to play successful a strategy that you're going to person to make checks, you're going to person to make tally games -- you know, a batch of nan things that you spot successful nan NFL. And I played quarterback, not very good. But for illustration it should beryllium appealing to play down an O-line for illustration this, because they tin really block, and Mirabal does an elite job. And we protect arsenic bully arsenic I've seen. So that's a immense trading point, too, is like, look, man, look astatine this pouch you're throwing in. So yet getting Cam and past flipping nan page to nan adjacent year, evidently Carson was either NFL aliases us, which was great, because that's what we want it to be. And past getting him, and his travel was a batch different because he was injured, couldn't spell done spring, and that presented a fistful of challenges, because you gotta get to know, you gotta get integrated into nan system. And arsenic a quarterback, you gotta bring everybody together. It's difficult to do that erstwhile you're not practicing. So I do deliberation that dealing pinch different personalities is important and showing nan truth that, look, for illustration this discourtesy is not conscionable for 1 type quarterback. It's going to really return you -- and you're 1 portion of this full puzzle. But past you tin showcase your skills and really create for nan adjacent level, which everybody wants to do.

Q. With Indiana's defense, you perceive opposing coaches talk astir what they do up front, benignant of nan stunts and twists. You perceive astir their simulated pressures. When you turned connected nan film, what stood retired to you astir what they do and their benignant of approach?

SHANNON DAWSON: I mean, I deliberation nan first 2 things that instrumentality retired is they don't springiness up a batch of explosive plays, and they're difficult to tally nan shot against, which if you conscionable return those 2 factors, that beautiful overmuch will show you nan defense is beautiful good. But I do deliberation that they person a batch of older guys connected defense. Look, nan strategy is great. Like what they do connected defense is really, really coagulated and really elite. But nan players, obviously, nary different than our offense, our defense and anybody that does thing worthy a crap. It's for illustration you person to person nan players, right? So they've assembled a bunch of older players that really cognize that strategy really well, and they're very seldom retired of position. And I deliberation they cognize it truthful good that it allows them to dissect what you're doing beautiful quickly. Like their eyes tin benignant of beryllium much connected you than if they had a bunch of players that's much reasoning astir what they gotta do, wherever they're possibly not focused connected nan offense, nan set, you know, whether nan guards are a small heavy aliases whatever, right? So they tin really attraction connected a batch of things that are for illustration tipping constituent things for them that allows them to respond nan measurement they react. And I deliberation that has a batch to do pinch conscionable having older kids that really understand nan system. And they tin conscionable get things lined up speedy and dissect it quick.

Q. I noticed Jakobe mentioned a nickname for Carson aft nan Fiesta Bowl of Vanilla Vick. And I cognize you had been wanting Carson to tally a small spot more. I'm not judge Vanilla Vick was successful your lexicon. What was it that you saw that you stared telling him arsenic nan play coiled down earlier nan playoff for illustration we're going to request your mobility a small bit?

SHANNON DAWSON: It's thing that I accent conscionable successful wide pinch quarterbacks. I mean, anytime I'm watching movie aliases watching nan game, I talk successful position of like, particularly for illustration conscionable opportunity it's a walk play, right. We're a very progression-based offense, which I deliberation is simply a small different than a batch of group today. But I'm a small aged school. Like progressions are ineffable to me, right. And nan walk crippled is ineffable to me. But I will talk -- and, look, Indiana is simply a bully defense to talk about, because they do -- each defense has nan action to screen everybody. Like there's going to beryllium times wherever you conscionable exhaust each your options and for illustration you're opinionated location pinch nan ball. And truthful yet what you do successful those times matter. And truthful I ever impulse a quarterback, look, for illustration if I'm watching movie pinch him, I'll beryllium like, look, for illustration your eyes are here, past here. Now if you've exhausted your options, get maine 5 aliases 55. I'll make that point. Like springiness maine 5 aliases 55. Now, I don't cognize if he's going to get maine 55. But 2nd and 5 is simply a batch amended than 2nd and 10. So I've urged him to get those soiled yards. Even if it's 2 aliases three, that makes nan adjacent telephone a small spot different. And truthful he's been very fierce complete nan past period and a half astir apt successful those situations, which has allowed america to enactment successful hit connected discourtesy and connected time. And those plays, moreover though it mightiness show up arsenic for illustration six runs for 17 yards aliases immoderate it is, those 17 yards are critical.

Q. Jakobe said that he had heard 1 of nan violative coaches usage Vanilla Vick arsenic a nickname. Is that thing you guys had said earlier aliases was that spur of nan moment?

SHANNON DAWSON: That's nan first I've heard it. It astir apt could person sewage said done nan people of nan year. There's a batch of things that get thrown retired successful practices. But erstwhile he said it was nan first clip I heard it. I deliberation that's a awesome nickname.

Q. It's catchy.

SHANNON DAWSON: It's catchy, yeah.

Q. Listening to Francis talk astir nan respect he has for Aiden Fisher and what Fisher does connected that defense connection wise, knowing things, predicting things. He said he was talking to immoderate of his friends astatine Oregon conscionable astir nan measurement (indiscernible). Can you benignant of talk a small spot nan chess lucifer there?

SHANNON DAWSON: Yeah: I mean, look. He's successful tune to everything you're doing. He's a really elite player. He's a very, very, very -- wrong their strategy I don't deliberation that there's -- he's a coach connected nan field. I mean, he dissects things highly quickly. And he will -- if you person tells, I mean, he'll beryllium calling that retired earlier nan snap. And truthful I do deliberation that that's conscionable a bully motion of a bully player, a feline that's successful tune to everything. But his calls and his worldly that he has to do is truthful engrained and truthful quickly perceived that he tin attraction a batch connected what you're doing. And you're not going to instrumentality him. He's not going to get tricked a lot. And truthful we person to do a batch of things to support him a small spot disconnected balance. You cognize what I mean? Because if you let him to beryllium location and dissect, it tin make your life hard.

Q. (Inaudible)?

SHANNON DAWSON: We're going to effort to do immoderate things that evidently origin a small disorder connected their side, and we'll spot really successful it is.

Q. I wanted to inquire astir Malachi and what are nan biggest strides you've seen him make complete nan people of nan season.

SHANNON DAWSON: I mean, it's astir apt been much truthful of america uncovering conscionable different ways to usage him. I deliberation it was, particularly astatine nan opening of nan year, he should beryllium successful precocious schoolhouse still, right? So astatine nan opening of nan twelvemonth you dream that what you spot successful believe happens successful games. And erstwhile that happens and you spot like, hey, this guy's capacity is really high, right? His shot IQ is really high. His expertise to do a batch of things is really high. I was astir apt a small excessively observant astatine nan opening of not overloading him, because I wanted -- for illustration he's young. And truthful typically pinch young guys, for illustration let's do what you do and let's get bully astatine it. But arsenic clip went, I had to commencement conscionable uncovering ways to put his skills connected display. He tin really -- for illustration he tin propulsion nan football. He tin do a batch of different things. And truthful arsenic nan twelvemonth went, it was much truthful maine conscionable benignant of adding connected to his portion and conscionable seeing really overmuch he tin handle. And yet I don't cognize if location is overmuch that he can't handle. His capacity is conscionable really high. I mean, he's nan type of feline that you tin spot a way -- like, for instance, I mightiness -- we watch a batch of games, right? NFL, college, I mean, look, I person a batch of group that work. And we're very successful tune to things that are going connected astir nan nation. And truthful if personification does thing that's like, oh, that's beautiful neat and that mightiness fresh thing he tin do, past you show him 1 clip and you spell do it astatine believe and it's for illustration precisely what nan feline did. I mean, his assemblage power and his expertise to understand spacial consciousness and for illustration really defenders lucifer him and conscionable each that worldly is astatine a different level pinch him.

Q. You mentioned adversity, nan fumble against Texas A&M. With a feline that young, do you interest mentally what that mightiness do?

SHANNON DAWSON: It didn't interest maine pinch him because I'm astir him each day. And truthful I cognize his character. I cognize really moreover he is arsenic a person. Now, look, everybody gets affected by antagonistic stuff, right. One of nan biggest reasons I didn't person excessively overmuch interest astir it is because I knew guys for illustration Mark Fletcher and I knew guys for illustration Coup and I knew guys for illustration Carson would spell prime him up. And we person an elite group of guys that attraction astir each other, and erstwhile things for illustration that happen, it really -- I don't person to do a full lot. Ultimately I conscionable locomotion by you and say, look, move on. It's nary different than if Carson makes a mistake. I'm like, look, adjacent play. Ultimately we opportunity adjacent play a lot, because, look, bad worldly is going to happen. Like you play this crippled agelong enough, thing bad is going to happen. So nan really bully ones person nan capacity to person highly short-term memory. And he does. Like did it impact him successful nan moment? Yeah. But he snapped complete it beautiful quick, and past erstwhile his opportunity came successful nan adjacent drive, he won nan crippled for us.

Q. Coach, you person been encouraging Carson to tally a spot much whenever he sees an opening. What was your guidance seeing him tally for that game-winning touchdown astatine nan semifinals?

SHANNON DAWSON: I was conscionable arsenic excited arsenic each nan fans were. We had a timeout left. And truthful I was going to propulsion it that play, and if it was incomplete, I was going to tally it, because we had a timeout. I conscionable wanted to return attraction of nan shot really. I wanted to beryllium fierce there. I felt really bully astir nan play we were running. They did not tally nan defense I thought they were going to run. And truthful it ended up being man coverage. And truthful they covered him connected nan action route. And truthful location was conscionable a immense oversea that opened up, and a batch of that had to do pinch our man sum because everybody was search crossed nan field. So, yeah, whenever he saw it and took it, I don't cognize if I was relieved aliases happy aliases immoderate you want to say. But it was bully to see.

Q. How overmuch has Mario been capable to blend together nan portal successful precocious schoolhouse recruiting to put this roster together?

SHANNON DAWSON: Yeah, I deliberation that's astir apt 1 of his champion qualities is for illustration knowing that precocious schoolhouse recruiting still matters and that's still your guidelines and sprinkling successful transfers astatine nan correct positions. There's an creation to hitting connected transfers, because yet if you look crossed nan nation, it would beryllium absorbing to spot nan occurrence rate. I don't cognize what it is. But I cognize connected our squad wide it's beautiful high.

Q. It's deed and miss.

SHANNON DAWSON: It's deed and miss. But if you look astatine nan ones, for illustration this twelvemonth particularly, that we brought in, they've each had a beautiful tremendous effect connected some sides of nan ball. And truthful he does person nan expertise to spot talent and spot precisely what we request and beryllium capable to blend that with, I mean, precocious schoolhouse recruiting, which evidently matters nan astir and sprinkling successful transfers erstwhile you request it. You can't wantonness precocious schoolhouse recruiting. I deliberation that's a correction a batch of group make.

Q. I want to inquire you astir Indiana's protect backs. What makes them specified a talented and productive group for Indiana's defense?

SHANNON DAWSON: Yeah. I mean, that's a bully question. The strategy they play, they're really bully astatine what they do. They're older. They play pinch eyes connected nan quarterback. They're ever successful nan correct spot. They operation up worldly and disguise it very well. And they way nan shot astatine a precocious level, astatine a very precocious level. And portion of it is their scheme. And they're older. And they're conscionable ne'er retired of position. And they person a batch of tipped balls that extremity up being interceptions. You cognize what I mean? A batch of it has to do pinch nan coverages they run. But they trigger connected nan shot well. And truthful we person to beryllium elite pinch our guys. Like nan eyes are very telling successful this game, astir apt much truthful pinch this defense than immoderate defense I've seen successful a agelong time. I would benignant of opportunity that their defense is benignant of an old-school defense. I utilized to spot those benignant of coverages years ago. It's benignant of really group played area coverage. But now, man and this three-match and each this worldly that's benignant of populated nan assemblage space, they've benignant of went backmost successful time, and for illustration they person area driblet eyes connected nan quarterback. And I deliberation that's why a batch of group struggle pinch them, because you don't spot that a batch these days. And they do a really bully occupation of mixing up nan coverages. And they don't really get successful excessively large of a hit of for illustration being successful 1 each nan clip aliases a mates times successful a statement aliases successful nan aforesaid situation. And truthful you really person to attraction connected what you're doing and not effort to get consumed with, oh, like, what sum are they going to beryllium in. Well, hell, I don't cognize what sum they're going to beryllium in. So you person to person your eyes connected your reads, and you person to do a awesome occupation of seeing abstraction and taking advantage of space.

Q. When is nan past clip you've seen a squad tally area this well?

SHANNON DAWSON: Other than going against our defense, a agelong time, because our defense is very akin to theirs. But, no. Look, studying these guys and taking a heavy dive has been refreshing successful a way, because I admit nan measurement they play defense, and I admit nan measurement they play area defense. The level successful which they play, nan strain successful which they play pinch is thing to behold. There's a logic why they're really bully correct now. So it's going to beryllium a awesome challenge, and I'm looking guardant to it.

Q. So my dada utilized to beryllium president of Wingate University. He wanted maine to inquire you what your 1 twelvemonth astatine Wingate taught you astir life and football.

SHANNON DAWSON: Look, there's things astir like, first of all, erstwhile I sewage there, I said Wingate, and I was quickly corrected to Wingate. So I mean, look, God knew what He was doing erstwhile He opened that doorway for me, because I grew up successful a mini town. Not a batch of group leave. That was 14 hours away. So I sewage successful my achromatic Toyota pickup motortruck and drove, and nan first clip I'd ever seen Wingate is erstwhile I sewage location nan first time. The group there, I mean, it's a unsocial place. And evidently it's small, a 1000 students aliases whatever. There was a professor there, Nancy Randall, sociology professor. You cognize who I'm talking about? Elite quality being. And her hubby Jason. And truthful they would person maine -- and, look, she astir apt made my life a batch easier, because erstwhile I sewage there, I conscionable truthful happened I sewage successful 1 of her classes. I took 1 of her classes each semester from location out, conscionable because I appreciated nan passion she had for teaching. And truthful they knew I was a agelong measurement distant from home, truthful they would person maine complete to their house, and for illustration she would cook. Her hubby made his ain beer, which I don't cognize astatine nan time, I astir apt wouldn't person said that. But for illustration we would spell down successful nan basement, and I would trial his beers that he made. He was elite astatine brewing beer. But to me, that spot is simply a batch astir nan people. And past Joe Reich ended up being nan caput shot coach location my past year, who I still support successful interaction pinch today.

Q. Such a bully guy.

SHANNON DAWSON: Probably 1 of nan champion quality beings I've travel crossed and 1 of nan champion coaches I've travel across. So it's conscionable nan relationships that happened location person stood nan trial of time. And a fistful of guys that I person a matter pinch each time is guys I played pinch there. And truthful I wouldn't person changed anything. I mean, I wasn't a awesome subordinate by immoderate stretch, and that's benignant of wherever my profession tilted to. And it was precisely what I needed astatine nan nonstop correct now.

Q. But your profession path, you return a small spot pinch you each along. You've been truthful galore places to beryllium present tonight.

SHANNON DAWSON: No doubt. Absolutely. And, look, that's 1 that -- for illustration I thin connected Coach Reich a lot. I'll matter him astir definite things, and we pass backmost and forth. But I've been very fortunate for illustration each my stops to beryllium astir immoderate very elite people. I'm conscionable very fortunate, because yet I cognize that without that, past I person nary chance of being here. So I'm very blessed pinch that.

Transcript courtesy of nan College Football Playoff and ASAPSports.