Beloved Pittsburgh-Area HS Football Coach Dies Suddenly

CORAOPOLIS, PA — The Cornell School District community is reeling from the sudden loss of beloved high school football Coach Ed Dawson.

Dawson suffered a medical emergency while Cornell was playing at Rochester High School. He was taken to the hospital, where he died.

"This is an extremely difficult situation," Cornell superintendent Aaron Thomas said in a statement.

"To say Coach Dawson was an integral part of Cornell School District would be an understatement. It is 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 right now our thoughts and prayers are with Coach Dawson and his family. We have difficult days ahead and we will lean on each other to get through them the best we can. We love you Coach Dawson."

Coraopolis Mayor Michael Dixon said in a Facebook post, "The wins mattered. The young men he shaped mattered more.

"Coach Dawson looked for the positive in every game and in every kid, and he taught them to sweat the details and never quit. Generations of Cornell and Nazareth Prep players grew into better men because he believed in them before they believed in themselves. To Coach Dawson's family: Coraopolis grieves with you, and we will stand beside you in the days ahead."

A candlelight vigil for Dawson was held Sunday night. There are no classes in the district today because of a scheduled teacher in-service day.