Feb. 20, 2006

University of North Carolina assistant coach Brad Lawing has been named defensive line coach at the University of South Carolina, Gamecocks’ head coach Steve Spurrier announced today.

Lawing, a former assistant coach at South Carolina from 1989-98, returns to Columbia after spending the past three seasons as the Tar Heels’ defensive ends coach and recruiting coordinator. As North Carolina’s recruiting coordinator, Lawing helped assemble the Tar Heels’ back-to-back Top 20 recruiting classes in 2003 and 2004. The 2003 UNC signing day class was hailed by most analysts as one of the best in the country.

“We are excited to have Brad Lawing return as an assistant coach at Carolina,” said Coach Spurrier. “He is an excellent coach, an excellent recruiter and a good person. We think he will fit in extremely well here as he has in the past. He has a wonderful reputation as a coach and as a recruiter. We are excited to have him on our staff.”

Lawing coached 10 years at South Carolina from 1989-98, where he tutored the defensive line and served as recruiting coordinator under Sparky Woods and Brad Scott. During his stint with the Gamecocks, he helped produce three NFL players in Corey Miller (New York Giants), Gerald Dixon (Oakland Raiders) and Henry Taylor (Miami Dolphins). He also coached three All-Southeastern Conference players, including nose tackle Eric Sullivan, tackle Henry Taylor and end Stacy Evans. His last three recruiting classes were ranked among the nation’s top 25 by the scouting services. At USC, he recruited defensive end John Abraham, a 2003 Pro Bowl selection from the New York Jets.

“I’m excited to be coming back to the University of South Carolina and helping the Gamecocks win a Southeastern Conference championship,” said Lawing.

Between his stops in the Carolinas, Lawing spent four seasons at Michigan State where he served as defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. During his tenure, the Spartans led the Big Ten in total defense during the 1999 and 2000 regular seasons. In his first season at Michigan State, the Spartans led the Big Ten (76.2 yards per game) and ranked fifth nationally in rushing defense. Lawing also played an integral part in helping Michigan State assemble one of the nation’s top 20 recruiting classes for three straight years. The 2000 recruiting class was ranked among the nation’s top 10 by several publications.

At Michigan State, Lawing was instrumental in the development of four NFL players, including All-America and first-round draft pick Julian Peterson (San Francisco 49ers), Robaire Smith (Tennessee Titans), Jace Sayler (New England Patriots) and Josh Shaw (San Francisco 49ers).

Lawing began his college coaching career at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. He coached the defensive line for five years and the tight ends and offensive tackles for one season. Eight of his players earned all-conference honors, including Southern Conference Player of the Year Anthony Downs in 1987, and future NFL players Tommy Dawkins and Mike Frier. Over his final four seasons, the Mountaineers compiled a combined record of 34-12-2 (.729), including back-to-back Southern Conference championships in 1986 and 1987 and consecutive trips to the NCAA I-AA playoffs.

Lawing spent three years as an assistant coach at Havelock (N.C.) High School from 1980-82. He also coached baseball for two years, leading the team to the state finals in 1983.

A 1979 graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College, Lawing earned a master’s degree from Appalachian State in 1985. He graduated from St. Stephens High School in Hickory, N.C., in 1975.

Lawing and his wife, Laura, a native of Charlotte, have a daughter, Susie, and a son, Will.