Hanford Dixon (1988) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Hanford Dixon

Induction:
1988

Hanford Dixon is widely regarded to be one of the best cornerbacks in the history of Southern Miss football. Playing for the Golden Eagles from 1977 to 1980 he helped make the “Nasty Bunch” defense into one of the best in the country and helped to elevate the program into the national limelight.
   Dixon arrived on the campus as a freshman and almost immediately moved into the starting lineup. As a rookie he finished the year with 44 tackles and two interceptions. That 1977 team would finish the year 6-6, but would record wins over three Southeastern Conference opponents, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Auburn. His talents and skills attracted the notice of opposing offenses and teams began to throw away from Dixon late in the season.
   With a year under his belt Dixon really started to come into his own in 1978. Although just a sophomore he became one of the leaders of the “Nasty Bunch”, vocally and through his play on the field. He had 41 tackles in ’78 and led the team with four interceptions. The team was 7-4 that year as the defense with Dixon leading the way held opponents to 17 points or less seven times.
   Dixon’s play in ’78 helped to make the Golden Eagles one of the toughest defenses in the nation, ranking 23rd in the country in total defense allowing just 269.5 yards a game.
   Dixon would lead the Golden Eagles to a 6-4-1 record in 1979 as he recorded 56 tackles and an interception. Opponents now were weary about throwing in his direction, feeling it was safer to throw to other parts of the field. That team allowed only 13.3 points a game (24th in the nation) and held seven opponents to 10 points or less.
   1980 would be a special year for Dixon and the Golden Eagles as he would help lead the team to its first postseason game in almost 25 years. With Dixon and the “Nasty Bunch” defense playing superbly Southern Miss won its first six games that year and earned a No. 25 ranking in the Associated Press poll. The team would go on to an 8-3 record and a berth in the Independence Bowl against McNeese State.
   Dixon had 47 tackles in 1980 and two interceptions and also broke up 11 passes. He would also help the “Nasty Bunch” hold eight opponents to 14 points or less and a No. 3 ranking in pass defense, allowing only 94.3 yards a game. The defense ranked tenth in the nation giving up only 254.6 yards a game.
   Dixon earned all-South Independent honors in 1980 and was named an honorable mention selection on the All-America team.
   Following his career at Southern Miss he was a first round draft pick (22nd player overall) of the Cleveland Browns. Playing for the Browns from 1981 to 1989 he earned Pro Bowl honors and became one of the league’s top defensive backs.
   Dixon will always be remembered as one of the hardest hitters and fiercest competitors the Golden Eagle football team has ever seen and his contributions to Southern Miss football were one of the keys to the team’s success in the early 1980s.