Dawson Odums Named New Head Coach at Bowie State

Former Southern University coach takes over Bulldogs program after Damon Wilson's departure

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Dawson Odums, the former head coach at Southern University, has been officially named the new head football coach at Bowie State University. Odums, who previously led Southern to a SWAC championship and four division titles, takes over a Bowie State program that has struggled since the departure of previous head coach Damon Wilson.

Why it matters

Bowie State has been one of the top Division II football programs over the past 25 years, winning multiple CIAA championships and making NCAA playoff appearances. However, the team has fallen on hard times since Wilson left to coach at Morgan State. Odums' proven track record of success at the HBCU level is expected to help revive the Bulldogs' fortunes and return them to championship contention.

The details

Odums spent a decade as the head coach at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he compiled a 63-35 overall record and led the Jaguars to one SWAC championship, four SWAC West Division titles, and was named SWAC Coach of the Year in 2013. He then spent four seasons as the head coach at Norfolk State, but struggled with a 15-30 overall record before the school hired Michael Vick. Odums now takes over a Bowie State program that has fallen on hard times since the departure of previous head coach Damon Wilson.

  • Odums was officially named Bowie State's new head coach on February 10, 2026.
  • He spent 10 seasons as the head coach at Southern University from 2012 to 2021.
  • Odums was the head coach at Norfolk State from 2021 to 2024, compiling a 15-30 record.

The players

Dawson Odums

The new head football coach at Bowie State University, who previously served as the head coach at Southern University and Norfolk State.

Damon Wilson

The previous head coach of the Bowie State Bulldogs, who departed to take the head coaching job at Morgan State.

Jolisa Williams

The interim Vice President for Athletics and Recreation at Bowie State University, who announced Odums' hiring.

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What they’re saying

“To the Bowie State University community, I am honored and grateful to formally accept the position of head football coach. I want to thank President Breaux for her confidence and leadership throughout this process. I also thank Dr. Jolisa Williams for the opportunity to lead this proud program. I am truly appreciative of the trust placed in me to guide Bowie State Football into its next chapter. I firmly believe that discipline, character, leadership and citizenship are the foundations of sustained success. Those principles shape young men and prepare them for life beyond football and ultimately create a winning culture. When those standards are upheld, championships follow.”

— Dawson Odums, Head Football Coach, Bowie State University (Bowie State University)

“We are confident that Coach Odums will ignite a new spirit in our football program. He brings a proven record of competitive success, a deep commitment to mentoring and developing young people, and a clear vision for building a championship culture grounded in discipline, accountability and academic excellence.”

— Jolisa Williams, Interim Vice President for Athletics and Recreation, Bowie State University (Bowie State University)

What’s next

Odums will begin his tenure as Bowie State's head coach immediately, with the goal of rebuilding the program and returning it to championship contention in the CIAA.

The takeaway

Bowie State's hiring of Dawson Odums, a proven winner at the HBCU level, signals the university's commitment to reviving its once-dominant football program. Odums' track record of success and emphasis on discipline, character, and academic excellence are expected to help the Bulldogs regain their status as one of the top Division II programs in the country.