Cornell head coach Ed Dawson dies in hospital after medics respond to football field in Rochester, Beaver County.
ROCHESTER, Pennsylvania. —
Cornell High School football coach Ed Dawson died following a medical emergency during the team’s game Friday night, the district superintendent announced.
“I am extremely saddened and shocked to announce the passing of Coach Dawson,” Superintendent Aaron Thomas said in a statement.
The Cornell Raiders were playing against Rochester. Beaver County emergency dispatchers confirmed medics responded to the Rochester football field.
No additional details regarding the nature of the medical emergency were immediately released.
This is a developing story. Stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for updates.
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Cornell High School football coach Ed Dawson during a team practice in August 2025
Statement from Cornell School District Superintendent Aaron Thomas
We would like to inform everyone of a situation that occurred at tonight’s away football game at Rochester High School. During the game, head football coach Ed Dawson experienced a medical emergency and was transported to a local hospital. I am extremely saddened and shocked to announce the passing of Coach Dawson.
This is an extremely difficult situation. To say that Coach Dawson was an integral part of the Cornell school district would be an understatement. It’s hard to put into words what Coach Dawson means to Cornell and we are all heartbroken, crushed and in shock. We will work to ensure our students and staff have the resources they need, and at this time our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Dawson and his family. We have difficult days ahead and we will rely on each other to get through them as best we can. We love you Coach Dawson.
Statement from Coraopolis Mayor Michael Dixon
Tonight our community lost one of its giants. Coach Ed Dawson passed away tonight and Coraopolis District joins the Cornell School District, his players and his family in grief.
When Cornell walked away from football in 2012, many people thought Friday nights here were over. Coach Dawson did not accept this. When the Raiders returned in 2016, he started with a few dozen kids and a lot of faith.
They lost their first 18 games and still continued to show up, even in youth league games, making sure every kid in this town knew there was a place for them on their team.
In 2019, he led the Raiders to their first sectional title in 36 years, the first WPIAL playoff victory in school history and the WPIAL semifinals. He took them back to the semi-finals in 2021.
Victories mattered. The young men he molded mattered more. Coach Dawson looked for the positive in every game and in every kid, and he taught them to pay attention to the details and never give up. Generations of Cornell and Nazareth Prep players became better men because he believed in them before they believed in themselves.
To Coach Dawson’s family: Coraopolis grieves with you and we will be with you in the days to come. To its players and staff: lean on each other and on this community. You were his team and you are ours.
Thank you, coach. We love you and we won’t forget what you built here.
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