RECRUITING AREAS: San Antonio, Austin, West Texas
The 2018 football season marks Dustin Washburn's fifth season as the offensive line coach at Colorado School of Mines.
Over his four seasons, Washburn has molded one of the nation's best offensive lines. His players have earned 18 all-RMACÂ awards in four seasons, including all-American Hasan Shaar; in both 2016 and 2017, all five Mines starters were named all-RMAC. His players have excelled in the classroom, as well, earning seven Academic All-America awards, and Richie Rice was the 2015 RMAC Academic Player of the Year. Rice and Colin Peter were named the 2015 and 2017 NFFCC Colorado Scholar-Athletes of the Year, respectively.
The 2017 season saw Mines dominate in the run game as the Orediggers produced the nation's #10-ranked rushing offense. Behind an explosive offensive line, All-American running back Cameron Mayberry set the Mines program record for yards (1,563) and the Orediggers scored 32 times on the ground. Mines allowed only 16 sacks in 11 games to rank third in the RMAC.
In 2016, Mines' offensive line produce their best numbers yet as the Orediggers allowed only 18 sacks in 525 passing downs, ranked fourth in the nation in fewest tackles for loss allowed, and produced D-II's best total offense and #2 passing offense while protecting Harlon Hill winner Justin Dvorak and 1,000-yard rusher Sam Seeton.
Washburn, a native of Abilene, Texas, comes to Mines following a two-year stint at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., as the Blue Tigers' offensive line and tight ends coach and run game coordinator. While there, he also assisted with fundraising and community events, including help with Safety Net of Mid Missouri, Breast Cancer Coalition, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Mid Missouri and partnered with the Boys and Girls of Mid Missouri for youth camps and recreations.
Under his direction of the offensive line, the Blue Tigers had their first 1,000-yard rusher and All-American running back in 25 years while five starting offensive linemen earned All-MIAA honors. All offensive records at Lincoln University were set during Washburn's time in Jefferson City.
Prior to his time with the Blue Tigers, Washburn worked as the offensive line coach at Northeastern State University for a season while helping the team to a berth in the Mineral Water Bowl. The squad also had a nationally top-10 ranked offense during Washburn's season in Tahlequah, Okla., and three of his offensive linemen earned all-conference accolades.
His coaching career began at his alma mater, Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, where he was the tight ends and offensive line assistant for the Texans during the 2009 season.Â
A two-time All-Lone Star Conference player at center for the Texans, Washburn helped the team to three conference championship game appearances and two Lone Star Conference championships. He started 36 games for TSU during his career and served as a team captain as a senior in 2009. He also earned Academic All-Conference, All-Region and All-American Honor Roll awards during his career.Â
Following his collegiate career, Washburn played for the West Texas Roughnecks of the Indoor Football League and the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of the Arena Football League.
A 2010 graduate with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Tarleton State, Washburn earned his master's degree from Northeastern State in education leadership in 2012. He and his wife, Cassondra, have a daughter, Parker.
He and his wife, Cassondra, of New Braunfels, Texas, reside in Littleton.
