William Paterson University Athletics

Now in his third season as a William Paterson assistant coach, Cedric Dawkins will work with the tight ends while serving as the program’s special teams coordinator for the second straight year. He also is responsible for the program’s recruiting efforts in Atlantic, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem and Rockland (N.Y.) Counties.

Dawkins, who previously worked with the Pioneer safeties in 2008 and the bandits in 2009, led a special teams unit that ranked second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) last fall in kickoff coverage (40.3 yards net average) and third in punt return average (9.6 yards/return). His work with the bandits helped contribute to a defensive unit that was second in the league in pass defense (135.4 yards/game) and third in total defense (252.8 yards/game). In addition, he has coached several outstanding individuals, including 2009 second-team all-NJAC bandit Doug Dudek.

He previously served as the running backs coach, special teams coordinator and assistant offensive coordinator at Globe Institute of Technology, helping to lead the Knights to a 5-2 record during their inaugural season in 2007. Prior to Globe, Dawkins spent three seasons at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, N.Y., working with the varsity offensive line (2004), defensive line (2004-06), running backs (2005-06) and special teams (2004-05). He began his coaching career as an assistant at East Rockaway High School (2000-03).

Dawkins attended Hofstra University (1986-89), where he was the team’s leading rusher in 1986. He is currently completing a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Oregon University, and he lives in Vineland with his wife, Monica, and their four children: Christian, Matteo, Chiara and Micco.