Carroll Dawson contract extension

The Houston Rockets have signed General Manager Carroll Dawson to a contract extension, Rockets owner and president Leslie L. Alexander announced today.

"CD has meant so much to this franchise and to this league. Everyone loves and respects him," Alexander said. "We have been fortunate to have Carroll with the Rockets organization for 20 years and I'm looking forward to working together with CD and Rudy (Tomjanovich) to bring another championship to Houston."

Dawson is in his 21st season with the Rockets and his fifth as the General Manager for the franchise. Prior to assuming his current position in 1996, Dawson worked as an assistant coach under the last four head coaches for the Rockets (Del Harris 1980-83, Bill Fitch 1983-88, Don Chaney 1988-92 and Rudy Tomjanovich (1992-present). During his coaching tenure, Dawson has been the only person to be on the four coaching staffs that have led the Rockets to their NBA Finals appearances.

"Leslie has been exceptional to me and our entire basketball staff and this is just another example of that," Dawson said. "I've said it many times before that Leslie has been an outstanding owner and has always supported our efforts in everything we do. I appreciate him and this organization for making this commitment to me."

Along with Tomjanovich, Dawson handles all player personnel activity for the Rockets. Dawson oversees the entire scouting department which includes an analysis of both amateur and professional talent. He also deals with free agency issues, trade inquiries and is responsible for assessing the team's needs. Over the last two years, Dawson and Tomjanovich have spearheaded the Rockets youth movement by acquiring Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, Shandon Anderson and Maurice Taylor.

"CD is a very special person to me and this organization," Tomjanovich said. "CD is such a hard working and loyal person and always sacrifices himself for the good of the franchise. He has been by my side since I first took this job in 1992 and I am thrilled that we will continue to work together."

Dawson is know throughout the NBA for his work with frontcourt players and has also been credited as teaching Hakeem Olajuwon his jump hook. Dawson has worked with and coached many NBA All-Stars throughout his years with the Rockets, including Charles Barkley, Elvin Hayes, Moses Malone, Ralph Sampson and Tomjanovich.

Over the past four years, Dawson has also served as the Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Houston Comets. Prior to the inaugural 1997 WNBA season, Dawson was commissioned by Alexander to assemble the first Houston Comets team. Dawson guided the efforts to bring Van Chancellor to the Comets as head coach and Sheryl Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper as the franchise's first players.

A native Texan, Dawson began his coaching career at Baylor University as an assistant to Bill Menefee in 1963. He succeeded Menefee as head coach in 1973 and remained in that position for more than three seasons. He joined the Rockets in 1980 and served as an assistant coach for 16 seasons before moving to the front office in 1996.

Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.


------------------

 

F3,So what if it was on the front page which it wasn't Not this same article anyway. Besides CD needs some props.He's been an integral part of our success.

------------------