Jacksonville, AL – Jacksonville State University (Jax State) has announced the addition of Lawrence Dawsey as its new wide receivers coach, according to a statement released by his agency on Monday. The move reunites Dawsey with Charles Kelly, Jax State’s new head football coach, who was appointed on December 21, 2024.
A native of Dothan, Alabama, and graduate of Northview High School, Dawsey transitions to Jax State after serving as the wide receivers coach at Appalachian State. His career spans decades of success as a player and coach, highlighted by his tenure at Florida State University (FSU), where he spent 11 seasons coaching wide receivers (2007–2017) and five as co-offensive coordinator.
During his time at FSU, Dawsey established himself as one of the top recruiters in the country, earning the 2011 ACC Recruiter of the Year honor from SI.com and ranking among the top 10 ACC recruiters for three seasons. He played a pivotal role in the Seminoles’ historic 2013 season as their passing game coordinator when Jameis Winston led the team to a BCS National Championship and won the Heisman Trophy.
Dawsey’s coaching resume also includes stints as an offensive analyst at Texas A&M (2020–2021), wide receivers coach at South Florida, and a graduate assistant role at LSU. He worked with the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship for two seasons before joining Appalachian State in 2022.
Before his coaching career, Dawsey enjoyed an illustrious playing career at FSU from 1987–1990, earning First-team All-American honors as a senior. He went on to play in the NFL for seven seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, and New Orleans Saints after being selected in the third round of the 1991 NFL Draft.
Dawsey joins a strong offensive staff at Jax State, including offensive coordinator Clint Trickett and offensive line coach Rick Trickett, adding experience and expertise to the Gamecocks’ coaching lineup as they continue to build a competitive program under Kelly’s leadership.
Dawsey’s appointment signals Jax State’s commitment to developing its football program with proven leaders who bring a wealth of experience at the highest levels of college football.
