Dawn Gaffin joins the Emory University softball coaching staff in September 2023 as an assistant coach following an impressive coaching resume in Colorado. 

Gaffin spent 38 years coaching softball for Adams County Five Star Schools and spent the last 21 seasons at Legacy High School in Broomfield, Colorado. Under her leadership, the team made 18 appearances in the Colorado State Softball Tournament and garnered nine league titles. She also led the team to 6 state championships during her time there. 

Along with her high school experience, Gaffin spent 30 years as a travel ball coach in Colorado. Most recently, she led her team to a Top Gun Championship in 2020 and a runner-up title in 2019. Her team also garnered a fifth place finish at the USA Nationals in 2019 and under her leadership in 2018 her team earned a first place finish at the USSSA National Championships. Back in 2009, her squad was runner-up at the National ASA Championship. 

Gaffin earned her bachelor's degree in Teaching with a minor in Coaching at the University of Northern Iowa before earning her first master's degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Colorado. She also earned her Educational Administrative Certification from the University of Phoenix.