Devon Dawson begins his first season as an assistant men's wrestling coach at Fort Hays State University in 2026-27.
Dawson compiled a career record of 126-37 at 285 pounds across five seasons of collegiate wrestling, qualifying for the national tournament four times and earning three All-American honors. He was the MAC champion and an NCAA qualifier as a senior at Northern Illinois University in 2025-26, turning in a record of 32-7 overall, including a sparkling 17-0 record in duals and a 16-match winning streak over the heart of the season. He reached the finals at the 61st annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships and placed third at the 2025 U23 Freestyle Nationals that season. Dawson was also an NWCA Scholar All-American and an academic All-MAC selection in his time with the Huskies.
He competed one season at North Dakota State University in 2023-24, compiling an overall record of 10-14 and a 4-4 mark in Big 12 duals. Before transitioning to NCAA Division I, Dawson was a three-time NJCAA All-American at Pratt Community College. He was the national runner-up in 2022, finished third in 2023 and placed fifth in 2021. Dawson turned in a record of 84-16 in three years as a Beaver, winning at least 25 matches each season and culminating with a 32-win season in 2022-23. He also placed third at the 2022 U20 Greco-Roman Nationals.
A native of Brooklyn Park, Minn., Dawson completed both a bachelor's and master's degree at Northern Illinois University.
