Hurricanes agree to new deals with coordinators Shannon Dawson, Corey Hetherman
Mario Cristobal’s top two members of his Miami Hurricanes coaching staff have a little more security.
Both offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman have agreed to new multiyear contracts and raises to their salaries to go with them, the Miami Herald confirmed on Monday. The news comes as the Hurricanes enter their final week of spring practice and as Miami looks to build off its momentum from reaching the College Football Playoff National Championship Game last season.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel first reported the new deals.
Dawson, 48, is entering his fourth season as Miami’s offensive coordinator. The Hurricanes have finished in the top 40 nationally in scoring offense and yards per play each of his first three seasons. This included a 2024 season in which UM led the country and set school records for yards per game (537.2) and points per game (43.9).
Dawson, who previously served as an offensive coordinator at Houston and Southern Miss, has been a candidate for head coaching positions the past two offseason cycles.
Hetherman, meanwhile, just finished his first season at Miami and helped spark the turnaround of a unit that went from a hindrance in 2024 to one of its biggest strengths in 2025.
Miami saw marked improvements in yards allowed per game (294.1 in 2025, which was 12th nationally last season; down from 327.2 in 2024, which was 27th nationally), yards allowed per play (4.67 in 2025, which was 12th nationally; down from 5.27 in 2024, which was tied for 44th nationally) and points allowed per game (14.8 in 2025 — fifth nationally last season; down from 25.3 in 2024, which was tied for 68th nationally). Miami also led the nation last season with 50 sacks, ranked fifth in total tackles for loss (105) and tied for ninth in total turnovers forced (25).
In a recent interview with national college football personality Josh Pate, Cristobal gave glowing comments about both of his coordinators.
Hetherman has “been incredibly impactful on the field, off the field,” Cristobal said. “He’s increasing everybody’s football IQ. At night his room is flooded with guys.”
Cristobal also said that Dawson “should be a head coach right now.”
“We’ve been fortunate to have him for three years,” Cristobal said. “Not many teams in the country have had a top 25 offense for three consecutive years. He’s made it work every way possible. … His ability to adapt is what really stands out.”
This story was originally published April 13, 2026 at 2:40 PM.
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