Newport Central Catholic High School head boys basketball coach Ron Dawn announced his retirement from the position Tuesday.
This follows the April announcement of his retirement as principal of the school. At that time, he told the Enquirer he was intending to return to coaching but changed his mind this week.
Dawn, a 1974 graduate of Newport Catholic and standout basketball player, began his coaching career at NCC with the boys basketball program in 1980. He was named the NCC boys head coach in 1990.
After a five-year break to follow his son Ronny’s college basketball career at Marshall, he resumed coaching duties at NCC.
He was named the girls head coach in 2009, a post he held for four seasons.
In 2013, Dawn returned to the boys basketball program, adding three more All "A" Classic state titles to his list of successes.
His most recent Ninth Region championship came in 2015-16 when his team made it to the semifinals in the KHSAA Sweet 16. Following that season, he stepped down as head coach to take the position of NCC principal but returned to the post in 2019.
Dawn is the only coach in the state to win an All “A” state championship in both boys and girls basketball. Additionally, he is the only Ninth Region coach to win a postseason regional title for both the boys and girls.
Dawn retires with 520 career victories, 429 as a boys coach, which ranks fourth in Ninth Region history. Current St. Henry coach Dave Faust is eight ahead with 437. Former Highlands coach Ken Shields has 460 and Newport legend Stan Arnzen, 452.
In a release from the school, Dawn expressed his thanks to all of his past and present coaches and players.
“I am grateful to all the young men and ladies I have had the honor of coaching over the years and to all those who coached alongside me,” he said.
Principal Kenny Collopy said those at Newport Central Catholic High School are grateful to Dawn for his selfless dedication.
“As a former player, assistant coach, co-worker and mentee of Coach Dawn, I can personally attest to the deep positive impact he has had on multiple generations of players and students,” Collopy said in the release.
NCC athletic director Jeff Schulkens added: “Ron Dawn has had a tremendous impact on NCC, from being a Hall of Fame player and coach to a great mentor to student-athletes and younger coaches. He has accomplished things that no other coach in the state of Kentucky has accomplished. His love for the game and devotion to NCC is unmeasurable.”
The school is accepting applications for the vacant coaching position. Contact Schulkens at (859) 292-0001, ext. 11, or [email protected].
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