One of the finest defensive backs to ever play for Furman, Julius Dixon is now entering his 14th year as an assistant coach at his alma mater, having served the Paladin program in four assistant coaching roles. This fall will mark Dixon's fifth season as defensive ends coach. During his tenure with the Paladin defensive ends, he has been instrumental in the development of rising senior All-America and two-time All-Southern Conference performer Roy Ravenell, who has helped Furman to 10-3 and 11-3 seasons in 2004 and 2005 that have included a pair of NCAA I-AA playoff appearances. As defensive backs coach Dixon directed the play of consensus All-America free safety John Keith, a fourth round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers who helped Furman post a 9-3 record and claim a Southern Conference championship in 1999. In 2000 Furman's secondary, which featured a pair of all-conference performers, played a key role in the Paladins' recording their second consecutive 9-3 campaign, and in 2001 Dixon's unit included three all-conference performers who helped Furman go 12-3 and finish as NCAA I-AA national runner-up. Dixon's tenure as secondary coach followed one year as coach of the defensive line. Prior to that he headed up the defensive ends for two seasons. In 1994 he returned to his alma mater to coach Furman's tight ends ­-- a position that allowed him to play a key role in the development of All-America tight end Luther Broughton, a 1997 fifth round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles. Prior to returning to Furman, he served as an assistant coach at Camden (S.C.) High School for four seasons. In his first season, Camden went 15-0 and captured the AAA state crown. A native of Toccoa, Ga., Dixon came to Furman in 1985 and began an outstanding football career as a cornerback. He was one of only four true freshman to letter on a 1985 squad that defeated N.C. State, 42-20, on the way to a 12-2 record, league championship, and NCAA I-AA national runner-up finish. In 1987 he moved into the lineup and, as a senior in 1988, he earned first team all-conference honors. More importantly, though, he served as captain of a squad that compiled a 13-2 record, league title, and NCAA I-AA national championship with the nation's top scoring defense (9.5 ppg). In his four seasons the Paladins registered an outstanding 40-10-2 record. In 1990, he earned his bachelor's degree in political science. Dixon is married the former Tawanda Cooper of Kingstree, S.C. He has a son, Jae, and a daughter Jailyn Alyse.