After leading Dartmouth football to the seventh-best rush defense in the Football Championship Subdivision, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Don Dobes was named the American Football Coaches Association’s National Assistant Coach of the Year in the FCS. Dobes has led the Big Green to both team accolades — five Ivy League championships in his 15 years with the program — and individual — this season, eight players on his defense received All-Ivy recognition.
Along with football contributions, the award recognizes the work that coaches do off the field. Dobes is an engaged member of the AFCA and also works with the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation, which finds donors to save the lives of patients in need of bone marrow transplants. He is also part of various other organizations, including Derek’s Dreams — which raises awareness and funds for Ataxia Telangiectasia — and Lauren’s First and Goal — which supports pediatric brain tumor research and cancer services.
Congrats on winning this prestigious award! How did it feel to receive this honor?
DD: It was a true honor because it is a national award that is voted on by our coaching peers! It is an award that encompasses commitment to student athletes, community service, contributions to the AFCA and coaching excellence, all of which are things that I strive to do to the best of my ability. It is a testament to a very special support group that includes my fiancée, my family, my football family and my friends.
What was your defensive philosophy this year that led to your run and pass defense success?
DD: We are a defensive unit that is built on the core values of fundamentals, details, effort, enthusiasm and unity. We have eleven playing as one, we always bring the juice and we show our dedication to each other by our relentless pursuit of the ball. We also have an aggressive and attacking approach and we are constantly perfecting our schemes to fit our talents, create havoc plays and force turnovers.
Were there any specific highlights from this year that stick out to you?
DD: There were a bunch of very special players making plays. One game that stands out is the defensive performance against the very talented and nationally ranked University of Pennsylvania offense. Some others are the “greatest comeback ever” against Yale who were the defending Ivy League champions, going to the Big Apple and quieting the roar of the Columbia Lions and the winning against Princeton with the final touch being a sack-safety. Overall, I was just super proud of the team. It was Dartmouth’s first even-year team to win The Ivy League Championship since the team of 1996, which is an awesome accomplishment.
You’ve been coaching Dartmouth for over 15 years and collegiate programs for over 40 — what are the biggest lessons that you have learned throughout the process?
DD: My previous experience creating a winning culture and being comfortable with building a winning process allows me to see the big picture. It has demonstrated to me and taught me what works, what leads to success and what wastes time and energy. I believe that attitude is a way of life, that being positive is a choice, that taking care of the little things allow big things to happen and that leadership is about service to others.
How did your experience playing college football help you become a better coach?
DD: As a former player at two very different college programs, both of which had their own challenges, I was provided the opportunity to live football and see it from an on-field perspective. Any time you can put yourself in the players’ shoes, it enhances your ability to relate and to communicate with them.
What are your goals for this season and beyond?
DD: Our goals and expectations are always set at a high standard. I am a strong proponent of taking it one day, one hour and one minute at a time. Our goal is to build a stack of days where we get better and improve each day. Our program and each one of us is constantly preparing to be the best!
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Sid Singh ’27 is a sports editor and reporter. He is from Bethesda, Md. and Singapore and is majoring in Economics and Quantitative Social Science. Sid is also an engagement manager for Consult Your Community and a member of the Raaz dance team.
