Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

Brad Lawing (Lenoir-Rhyne, 1979) was a four-year starter at linebacker as a member of the Bears’ football team and was named the Team Defensive MVP in 1978 and Team Captain in 1979. Lawing also played baseball at LR and earned his master’s at Appalachian State in 1985. Lawing led the Havelock (N.C.) High School baseball team to the state championship game in 1983 before becoming a college football coach. Lawing’s coaching stops include Appalachian State (six years), South Carolina (17), Michigan State (four), North Carolina (three), Florida (two) and Florida State beginning this year. Lawing has coached with four national championship coaches – Mack Brown, Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier and Jimbo Fisher – and has been involved in numerous bowl game appearances and NCAA Division I-AA Playoff berths. Lawing was a 2011 Broyles Award nominee (given annually to the top assistant coach in college football) and has sent over 30 players to the NFL including six first round picks.