Eddie Dunn continues UM tradition

A University of Miami football legacy continues Saturday when Coral Shores High graduate Eddie Dunn runs into Sun Life Stadium, wearing No. 44 for UM's Hurricanes.

Dunn, a four-year standout linebacker and runner for Coral Shores, has earned a UM roster spot at linebacker as a preferred walk-on.

Eddie's father Gary Dunn and late grandfather Eddie Dunn both are enshrined in the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame for their football exploits.

"I'm really excited about going up there and seeing him run onto the field" for the season opener against Bethune-Cookman, Gary said Thursday.

"It's not the same field [as the Orange Bowl] but it's the same idea. That's pretty darn cool," said Gary, a South Florida native and NFL veteran who owns the Ocean View Inn and Pub in Islamorada.

"The UM coaches love Eddie," Coral Shores head coach Ed Holly said. "He was with them this summer and played in scrimmages on the third team. He's happy. Life is good for Eddie."

Playing time for Dunn, a freshman, could be a goal for 2016 rather than this season. At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, odds suggest a red-shirt season.

As a red-shirt, a player can practice and dress for games, but doesn't get into games in order to preserve a full four years of college eligibility.

"Eddie knows he's got an uphill battle," Gary said. "But he's ready and willing to take on the challenge.

"Eddie's got the ability, and I think he can be good," Gary said. "I told him:  All you can do is try hard, work as hard as you can, and see how far you can go."

Eddie Dunn looked at other colleges, including Western Kentucky (where sister Iris has become a soccer team leader as starting forward for WKU's Lady Toppers), Florida State and Florida Atlantic.

"It was always his decision where to go," Gary said. "Eddie just feels comfortable at Miami. He's been going to UM games since he was a baby. He likes the school and the coaches."

Eddie Dunn earned most-valuable players honors at Coral Shores and consistently led the team in tackles at middle linebacker. He also rushed for 903 yards in 2014, despite sharing the ball with breakaway tailbacks George and Henry Jacobsen.

After earning three UM letters as a UM mainstay at defensive tackle from 1973-75, Gary Dunn played 12 seasons on the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense, four years as team captain. Gary played in two Steeler Super Bowl victories, once against longtime friend and former UM roommate Dennis Harrah.

Eddie Dunn the elder finished his stellar UM career in 1938, scoring three touchdowns in a 19-7 win over the University of Florida, the Hurricanes' first-ever triumph over the Gators. Eddie Dunn later served as UM assistant and head football coach. He also established the UM baseball program and was head coach for several years.

In 2009, Gary represented his late father when Eddie was inducted into the University of Miami Football Ring of Honor.

George Mira Sr., a Key West High School graduate credited with establishing the University of Miami as "Quarterback U," was one of the first four players named to the UM Ring of Honor.

Gary Dunn's grandfather, Dr. Bowman Foster Ashe, was the founding president of the University of Miami.

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 11:49 AM with the headline "Eddie Dunn continues UM tradition."