Army West Point Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Defensive Pass Game Coordinator / Cornerbacks
Daryl Dixon enters his 10th season on the Army West Point coaching staff.
He was promoted to Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks coach on February 7, 2023. Dixon coached the cornerbacks for four seasons (2019-22) and the outside linebackers (2016-18).
Dixon mentored two young starting cornerbacks in 2024, sophomores Donavon Platt and Jaydan Mayes, who combined to start 27 of 28 possible games. Mayes tied for the team lead with four interceptions as the defense recorded 18 interceptions, the sixth most in the country, and it was Army’s most interceptions in a season since 1988. Platt and junior Justin Weaver each recorded two interceptions.
Dixon’s unit helped Army only give up an average of 185.9 passing yards per game, the 25th fewest in the country, and fourth fewest in the AAC.
The defense also led the AAC in the fewest total yards allowed per game (297.9), the only team to yield 300 or fewer per game in the conference.
In 2023, Dixon led a veteran cornerback room comprised of three key seniors, Jabari Moore, Cam Jones, and Bo Nicolas-Paul.
The defensive backfield was able to help yield opponents to only 187.9 passing yards per game, which ranked 23rd best in the nation.
Moore finished his Army football career as the all-time games played leader with 58 (accurate data going back to the 1956 season). Moore logged 165 tackles (111 solo) and six interceptions. His 26 career passes defended (INTs and PBUs) rank fourth-most in Army records (since 1971). During his senior campaign, Moore registered 36 tackles and a team-high six pass breakups.
Nicolas-Paul tied for the team lead with three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown in the season opener vs. ULM. Jones added 38 tackles and an interception, finishing his career with an interception in all five years he played.
Nicolas-Paul was named a first-team Phil Steele All-Independent selection while Moore was named to the second team.
In 2022, Dixon oversaw a defensive backfield that was spectacular against the pass. Army’s pass defense finished as the third-best pass defense in the country, yielding only 160.0 passing yards per game. DBs Cameron Jones, Jabari Moore, and freshman Jaydan Mayes each recorded interceptions on the season. Dixon has played a key role in starting cornerback Jabari Moore’s development. Since 2019, Moore had 14 passes defensed which is the most by an Army player in that span.
In 2021, Dixon led a secondary group that only yielded 211.2 passing yards per game.
In 2020, Dixon helped build the nation’s top defensive unit. Under his guidance, the Black Knights’ secondary allowed the second-fewest passing yards in the nation, giving up only 160.8 ypg.
Dixon’s defensive backfield was a force to be reckoned with throughout the season, especially in the team’s rivalry matchups with Air Force and Navy. In those two contests, the Black Knights held the offenses to a combined 118 passing yards while allowing just seven total points. The defensive effort powered Army to its third Commander in Chief Trophy in the past four seasons.
Defensive backs Cedrick Cunningham and Julian McDuffie both earned spots on the Phil Steele All-Independent First-team in 2020 while being mentored by Dixon.
In 2018, with help from Dixon, Army captured back-to-back Commander in Chief’s Trophy titles for the first time in school history and earned three-straight bowl victories, which is a program record. The Black Knights also finished the year with nine consecutive victories, went undefeated at home for the second year in a row and finished the year ranked 19th in the nation.
Dixon tutored Campbell Trophy Finalist Kenneth Brinson and Chandler Ramirez in 2018. Ramirez was a newcomer to a starting role and made 31 tackles and had two fumble recoveries. Brinson was the steady force once again with 29 tackles, 6.5 for a loss and had 5.5 sacks, which was second on the team. He also added two forced fumbles and a recovery. He sealed the win against Navy with a strip sack and recovery in the fourth quarter.
He helped guide the 2017 Black Knights to their first 10-win season since 1996 and they won 10 games for only the second time in academy history. They captured the CIC Trophy for the first time since 1996 and won the Armed Forces Bowl with a victory over San Diego State.
In 2017, Aukerman finished with 70 tackles for third on the team and had the most tackles for loss and sacks on the team with 15.5 and 7.5, respectively. He combined with Brinson to recovery three fumbles and record two forced fumbles. Aukerman also had a key interception in the Armed Forces Bowl, which allowed Army to complete its comeback over San Diego State.
Dixon tutored outside linebackers Alex Aukerman and Kenneth Brinson in 2016 to 59 and 45 tackles, respectively. Aukerman led the team in sacks with 7.5 and tackles for loss with 15, while Brinson was vital in passing situations with two interceptions.
Dixon was part of a defensive staff that guided Army to fourth in the nation in total defense, sixth against the pass and 16th versus the run.
Dixon came to West Point after seven seasons at Ball State as an assistant coach, where he tutored outside linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties throughout his stint with the Cardinals. He was on the Ball State staff for a pair of bowl games, including the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl St. Petersburg after the 2012 season and the GoDaddy Bowl after the 2013 campaign.
During his time at Ball State, Dixon tutored Eric Patterson to All-Mid-American Conference Third Team honors in 2012 and Jamill Smith to third team honors as a punt return specialist in 2012 as well. In addition, Dixon coached Sean Baker, who finished his career at Ball State as the program’s leader in interceptions with 18. He also tutored 2010 second team All-MAC defensive back Jason Pinkston.
He was named ESPN MAC Recruiter of the Year in 2012 and ranked as the No. 2 MAC recruiter by 24/7 Sports in 2012.
Prior to the Cardinals, Dixon spent the 2008 season as a graduate assistant with the defensive line at Illinois. He started his coaching career as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Illinois from Feb. 2006 through Jan. 2008.
Dixon is a 2003 graduate of the University of Florida, where he starred as a defensive back. He played 49 games with 25 starts for the Gators and was a team captain as a senior. He was named to the 2003 All-Southeastern Conference Second Team and reached four bowl games with Florida. Off the field, he was a two-time Academic All-SEC selection and was voted Florida’s Male Outstanding Senior Leader among the entire student body for the fall of the 2003 graduating class.
Following graduation, Dixon spent two seasons (2004 and 2005) as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
Dixon has his wife Katie Daily live at West Point with their son, Jack, and daughter, Avery.
