John Champe High School has named Jason Dawson as its head varsity football coach. Dawson will start up the football program at John Champe, set to open in the fall of 2012 in Aldie.

Dawson, 33, moves into his first head coaching job after a very successful six-year stint as an assistant coach at Broad Run—helping the Spartans win consecutive state titles in 2008 and 2009. 

“I am really grateful for the opportunity that John Champe has provided me,” Dawson said. “I’m excited to be a head coach and to start the program from scratch.”

Dawson spearheaded Broad Run’s strength and conditioning program and served the last two seasons as defensive coordinator. Dawson coached four years under Mike Burnett and remained on the Spartans’ staff in 2010 when Burnett and some of his assistants moved over to Tuscarora to start that program.

Dawson, a fifth grade teacher at Creighton’s Corner Elementary, said he learned a lot from current Spartans coach Matt Griffis and Burnett—thanking both for helping him grow as a person and a coach. He added that the most difficult part of accepting the new job was informing Broad Run players of his decision.

“That was the hardest day of my life, telling the kids,” Dawson said. “I told them the very first day that I could ... I let them know how much I appreciate them.”

The first task at John Champe will be adding a quality coaching staff. Dawson, along with athletic director Joe Breinig Jr. and principal John G. Gabriel, will begin the interview process in January.

As for Dawson’s coaching philosophy, it all starts with building bonds with student-athletes.

“The number one thing I take from coaching is the relationships I build with the kids,” he said. “And that is off the football field. I want to get to really know them. The biggest lesson I’ve ever learned as a coach is to build those relationships.”

Along with building relationships, Dawson will aim to build John Champe into an annual contender. And while the 2012 season is eight months away, that process is already underway.

Martinez named cheer coach

Cynthia Martinez will be John Champe’s first varsity cheer coach. Martinez previously served as the junior varsity cheer coach at Freedom High School. She has also been an assistant varsity coach in Fairfax County.

Click here to read more about Martinez.

Meet the Coaches

John Champe will hold a Meet the Coach event Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. in Freedom High School’s auditorium in South Riding. The event will provide students and parents an opportunity to learn the visions of football coach Jason Dawson and cheer coach Cynthia Martinez for their programs.

Both coaches will have breakout sessions where students and parents can view artwork for uniform designs, talk individually and ask questions. All students possibly interested in football or cheer are encouraged to attend.