Mark Dixon, a former Miami Dolphin and UVA standout, has been named the new head football coach at Galax High School, after being chosen from a final list of three candidates.

Dixon, 38, takes over for former coach Jared Van Acker , who stepped down in November. Dixon served as the Maroon Tide’s JV basketball coach this past season.

Dixon, a former NFL offensive guard, played five seasons with the Miami Dolphins. Previously he had played in the CFL with the Montreal Alouettes. He was also a former all-America offensive lineman at Virginia, were he played under former UVA boss George Welsh.

Dixon, who is working on his Masters Degree at Radford University, was officially appointed to his new post Tuesday night by the Galax School Board.