NEWPORT, Ky. — Just five short of 500 career wins, Ron Dawn is resuming his longtime basketball coaching career at Newport Central Catholic while remaining principal at the school.
Dawn is taking his third stint as boys head basketball coach at his alma mater 29 years after first taking the job in 1990. He replaces Kenny Collopy, who stepped down to become principal at St. Cecelia School, according to a NewCath release. Dawn also coached the NCC girls basketball team for a time.
In a release, Dawn said it's an opportunity "to return to something I am very passionate about.”
The former NewCath basketball player and 1974 grad is the only coach to win an All “A” Classic state championship in both boys and girls basketball, according to the release. He’s also the only 9th Region coach to win a regional title for both boys and girls.
Dawn’s 2015-2016 boys team reached the Kentucky Sweet 16 semifinals. He stepped down following that season and became principal.
In all, Dawn's teams won three 9th Region titles and 12 All "A" Classic titles.
Dawn began his coaching career at NCC with the boys basketball program in 1980 and was named head coach in 1990. He took a five-year break to follow his son’s college basketball career, then resumed coaching at NCC.
Dawn was named the girls’ head coach in 2009, a post he held for four seasons. He returned to the boys' team in 2013.
“From being a Hall of Fame player and coach to a great principal and mentor, he will continue to have a tremendous impact on the NCC school community,” said NCC Communications Director Mary Ciafardini. “His love for the game and his unmeasurable devotion to NCC is commendable. Likewise, he will continue to lead our school as principal as he spearheads a master plan for facility upgrades.”
