Cornell High School football coach Ed Dawson dies after in‑game medical emergency
Ed Dawson, head coach of Cornell High School’s football team near Pittsburgh, died Friday after a medical emergency on the sidelines during a Rochester game, when the game was called with Cornell leading 16-6.
Key points
- Dawson died Friday after a medical emergency on the sidelines during a game at Rochester.
- The game was called with Cornell leading 16-6 in the second quarter.
- Dawson had been Cornell’s head coach since 2011 and had worked with the program from youth levels.
- Cornell’s football program was revived in 2016 after a co‑op with Quaker Valley and won a conference championship in 2019.
- Superintendent Aaron Thomas said the district was heartbroken; former player Donnie Militzer praised him as a great coach and better man.
Ed Dawson, the head football coach at Cornell High School near Pittsburgh, died on Friday, Oct. 23 after suffering a medical emergency on the sidelines during a game at Rochester.
The game was called with Cornell leading 16-6 in the second quarter before Dawson was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.
Dawson took over as Cornell’s head coach in 2011 and was involved with the program from youth levels through the high school team. The school had previously operated as a co‑op football program with Quaker Valley because of low player numbers, was revived in 2016, and won a conference championship in 2019.
Cornell Superintendent Aaron Thomas said the district was heartbroken by the loss, and former player Donnie Militzer called Dawson “a great coach and a better man.”
Your questions, answered
Who was Ed Dawson?
Ed Dawson was the head football coach at Cornell High School near Pittsburgh, serving since 2011.
What happened during the game?
During a game at Rochester, Dawson suffered a medical emergency on the sidelines, leading to the game being called with Cornell ahead 16-6.
How did the school react?
Cornell Superintendent Aaron Thomas said the district was heartbroken, and former player Donnie Militzer called Dawson a great coach and better man.
How does this story make you feel?
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