Cornell head coach Ed Dawson dies in hospital after doctors respond to bench at Rochester football field in Beaver County. ROCHESTER, Pa. — Cornell High School football coach Ed Dawson died after a medical emergency during the team’s game Friday night, the district’s superintendent said. “I am extremely saddened and shocked to report that Coach Dawson has passed away,” Superintendent Aaron Thomas said in a statement. The Cornell Raiders were playing Rochester. Beaver County emergency dispatchers confirmed that medics responded to the sideline at the Rochester football field. Additional details about the nature of the medical emergency were not immediately released. This is a developing story. Stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for updates.TribLIVECornell High School football coach Ed Dawson at a team practice in August 2025Statement from Cornell School District Superintendent Aaron ThomasWe want to inform everyone about a situation that occurred at the away football game tonight 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 sad and shocked to report that Coach Dawson has passed away. 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. Difficult days lie ahead and we will lean 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 this afternoon, and the Town of Coraopolis joins the Cornell School District, his players and his family in heartbreak. When Cornell walked away from football in 2012, many people assumed Friday nights here were over. Coach Dawson didn’t accept that. When the Raiders returned in 2016, it started with a few dozen kids and a lot of faith. They lost their first 18 games and kept showing up anyway, even in youth league games, making sure every young kid in this town knew there was a place for them on their team. By 2019, he had led the Raiders to their first section title in 36 years, the first WPIAL playoff victory in school history, and the WPIAL semifinals. He took them back to the semifinals in 2021. Wins mattered. The young people he trained mattered more. Coach Dawson looked for the positive in every game and every kid, and taught them to care about 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 by your side in the days to come. To your players and coaching staff: support each other and this community. You were his team and you are ours. Thanks, coach. We love you and we will not forget what you created here. Download the WTAE app to stay connected with the latest news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get the latest news delivered to your inbox. Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube channel
