Centenary’s Byron Dawson: ‘Make the right decision’
Centenary’s Byron Dawson: “We’re looking for high character gentlemen”
Jimmy Watson, Shreveport Times
- Centenary football coach Byron Dawson was awarded the “Top Business Professional of the Year” at the 2025 Minority Business Opportunity Awards.
- The award, presented by Willis Knighton Health, recognizes individuals for excellence in leadership, innovation, and community service.
- Dawson, a former LSU player and Evangel coach, was honored for his contributions to economic growth and community advancement in the Shreveport-Bossier City region.
Centenary football coach Byron Dawson, a former Shreveport Times All-City Coach of the Year, received a major business award recently during an event at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino.
Dawson was named the “Top Business Professional of the Year” at the 2025 Minority Business Opportunity Awards ceremony presented by Willis Knighton Health. The annual event recognizes individuals who display excellence in leadership, innovation and service to the community.
“What an honor to be named top business professional of the year in my city. To God be the glory!” Dawson said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and give back to a community that means so much to me. This recognition reminds me that real success is about lifting others and making a difference where you are. I’m excited to keep building, serving and growing together.”
Dawson was recognized for his contributions in driving economic growth and community advancement across the Shreveport-Bossier City region.
“Our 2025 honorees truly represent the best of our business community,” said Greater Shreveport Chamber chairman Tom Simms in a release. “They exemplify resilience, vision and service — and we are proud to recognize the remarkable ways they are making a difference in Shreveport-Bossier.”
The former LSU defensive tackle has been promoting his hometown since his playing and coaching days at Evangel Christian Academy. As a prepster, Dawson was a USA TODAY High School All-American Defensive MVP, named Class 3A All-State and Defensive MVP and helped lead Evangel to a 15-0 record in 1997. He was part of three state championships and a No. 17 national ranking and won consecutive LSWA state shot put championships.
During his seven seasons running the Evangel program, the Eagles lost one district game (Byrd 2015) and the Eagles’ only losses in the playoffs came to eventual state champions. Dawson was 61-22 overall as coach at Evangel.
Playing for Nick Saban at LSU, Dawson was part of LSU’s nationally-ranked defense throughout the 2001 season, during which the Tigers upset Tennessee to win the SEC Championship and then defeated Illinois in the Sugar Bowl. He was an assistant coach at Tulane for one season before starting to build the Centenary program in March 2022. His first Gents team last fall finished 4-6 overall and 4-4 in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
The Gents will open their second season Sept. 6 against Westgate Christian University at Centenary’s Atkins Field and are scheduled to play nine regular-season games – five at home and four on the road.
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
