Notable Alumni of Dixie State University

Howard Cannon 1912–2002

US senator from Nevada

Also attended: University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University

Cresent Hardy 1957–

Former U.S. representative for Nevada

Danny Tarkanian 1961–

Attorney, businessman and Republican politician

Also attended: University of San Diego, University of Nevada--Las Vegas

Father: Jerry Tarkanian (Pasadena City College, University of Redlands)

Christine Johnson 1968–

Former Utah state representative

Wendy Horman

Former Idaho state representative

Also attended: Brigham Young University-Idaho

Scott Howell 1953–

Utah politician and Democratic Senate nominee

Also attended: University of Utah

Jerry Atkin 1949–

Chairman of SkyWest, Inc

Also attended: University of Utah

John Browning 1855–1926

Firearms designer with 128 patents

Child: Val A. Browning (Cornell University)

Juanita Brooks 1898–1989

Historian of the American West and Mormon history

Also attended: Columbia University in the City of New York, Brigham Young University-Provo

Asia Carrera 1973–

Former pornographic actress

Marcus Banks 1981–

Former professional basketball player

Also attended: University of Nevada--Las Vegas

Lionel Hollins 1953–

Former NBA player and coach

Also attended: Arizona State University-Tempe

Maurice Baker 1979–

Basketball coach and former player

Also attended: Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Aya Traoré 1983–

Senegalese women's basketball player

Brad Thompson 1982–

Former MLB pitcher and Cardinals broadcast analyst

Corey Dillon 1974–

Former NFL running back for Bengals and Patriots

Also attended: Garden City Community College, University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Brandon Lyon 1979–

Former MLB pitcher

Bruce Hurst 1958–

Former MLB pitcher, Red Sox 1986 postseason star

Sark Arslanian 1924–2016

Head football coach at Weber State and Colorado State

Also attended: Utah State University, University of Utah

Josh Burkman 1980–

Retired mixed martial artist

Also attended: University of Utah

John Thompson 1906–1990

Basketball player and coach

Brandon Kintzler 1984–

Former MLB relief pitcher

Junior Siavii 1978–2022

NFL defensive tackle for Chiefs, Cowboys and Seahawks

Also attended: University of Oregon

Jeffrey R. Holland 1940–2025

President of the LDS Quorum of the Twelve

Also attended: Yale University, Brigham Young University-Provo

Child: David F. Holland (Brigham Young University-Provo, Stanford University)

Child: Matthew S. Holland (Duke University, Brigham Young University-Provo)