(Caption for Photo: Cornell Head coach Ed Dawson looks on during practice Aug. 19, 2025 at Cornell High School. (Credit for Photo: Corutesy of Chaz Palla, TribLive)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Coraopolis, PA) A beloved coach in the community of Coraopolis has passed away. Ed Dawson, the head football coach of Cornell High School, died on Friday at the age of 55 after he suffered a medical emergency on the football field that night when Cornell played a football game on the road against Rochester.

According to Cornell Superintendent Aaron Thomas, Dawson had a medical emergency on the sideline during the game and was transported to a hospital, which was where he was pronounced dead. 

Cornell athletic director Bill Sacco confirmed that Dawson told an assistant coach that he was not feeling well during the second quarter of the game and he was advised to sit down on the bench.

Dawson was then seen lying down on the team bench.

The game was called off at that point with Cornell given the win after leading 16-6. Dawson was a former football player at Aliquippa High School.

A report from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette states that Dawson was hired as Cornell’s head football coach in 2011.

A candlelight vigil was held in Coraopolis yesterday for Dawson.