Former Gamecocks Assistant Coach Brad Lawing Passed Away

Brad Lawing died. (Source: Facebook)

We regret to inform you that Brad Lawing, a former Gamecocks assistant coach, passed away late last night. Lawing coached the Carolina defensive line twice, from 2006 to 2012 and from 1989 to 1998. He truly cared about his coaching family as well as his friends, family, and players. Everyone who knew him mourns his passing deeply. Keep reading to know more about it in detail.

Who was Brad Lawing?

Brad Lawing, who was born and raised in Frankfurt, Germany, played linebacker for Lenoir-Rhyne for four seasons and earned his bachelor’s degree there in 1979. In 1985, he graduated with a master’s degree from Appalachian State. In the autumn of 2015, he was inducted into the Lenoir-Rhyne Sports Hall of Fame.

Lawing and his wife Laura have three grandchildren—Natalie, Mary Brooks, and Claire Hughes—as well as two adult children—Will and Susie Hughes, a son-in-law named Thomas Hughes, and three grown children. Will is in his fourth season working for the NFL’s Houston Texans.

Lawing spent his first seven years at South Carolina (1989–1988), Michigan State (1999–2002), and North Carolina (2003–2005) where he coordinated recruitment. His classes consistently received Top 25 rankings. The 1987 Southern Conference Player of the Year was Anthony Downs of Appalachian State. At ASU, Lawing worked with future NFL stars Tommy Dawkins and Mike Frier.

Lawing worked under Mack Brown with Appalachian State during Brown’s lone season in Boone, North Carolina, before his first stint with the Gamecocks. In 1983, Lawing served as the tight ends’ and offensive tackles’ coach. For the following five years, Lawing oversaw the defensive line as ASU won consecutive Southern Conference championships and made it to the Division 1-AA Playoffs in 1986 and 1987.

In 1987, the Mountaineers were the top seed entering the playoffs, and they advanced to the semifinals. Lawing coached three future NFL players—Corey Miller, Gerald Dixon, and Henry Taylor—during his first stint with the Gamecocks from 1989 to 1998. He also served as recruiting coordinator and signed defensive end John Abraham, who later became a five-time Pro Bowler in the NFL.

Lawing coached 1999 first-team All-American Julian Peterson at Michigan State. A five-time Pro Bowler who played in the NFL for 11 years was selected in the first round of the draught. In 1999, the Spartans had a school-high 57 sacks.

At Michigan State, Lawing worked with future NFL players Robaire Smith, Jace Sayler, Josh Shaw, Matthias Askew, and Kevin Vickerson. Lawing served as an assistant coach for the Spartans in 1999 under head coach Nick Saban as Michigan State concluded the season 10-2, 6-2 in the Big Ten, and won the Citrus Bowl. Throughout Lawing’s four seasons on staff, Bill Miller, the current FSU linebackers coach, served as the Spartans’ defensive coordinator.

Before coming to South Carolina, Lawing worked as the recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach for North Carolina from 2003 to 2005, for Michigan State from 1999 to 2002, for the Gamecocks during his first season, from 1989 to 1998, and for Appalachian State from 1983 to 1988. Ingram received consensus All-America recognition in 2012, while Clowney was selected SEC Freshman of the Year.

Lawing played for South Carolina from 2006 to 2012, helping the Gamecocks set a school record and lead the SEC in sacks in 2012 while Clowney recorded a total of 13 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss.

With 41 sacks that year, South Carolina set a new school record while leading the SEC. From 2008 to 2012, South Carolina consistently placed in the top 15 in the US for total defense, reaching a peak of third place in 2011. During that time, the Gamecocks won a bowl game each year and went 11-2 in each of Lawing’s final two campaigns with the team.

Lawing relocated to Florida State from Florida, where he served as defensive line coach and associate head coach for two seasons. Lawing worked for Steve Spurrier at South Carolina, Nick Saban at Michigan State, and Mack Brown at Appalachian State before joining the Gators. In 2016, Lawings’ influence was felt not just by the Florida State squad but also by the entire country.

How did Brad Lawing die?

Brad Lawing, a beloved former South Carolina Gamecocks assistant football coach, has died.

Wayne J. Parris, his brother-in-law, broke the devastating news. He posted the terrible news on Facebook, which is already spreading misery throughout South Carolina.

Parris wrote,

“My brother-in-law, Brad Lawing, passed away this morning.

He sure loved all of his family, friends, players, and his coaching family. Please pray for our family during this difficult time.

We’re heartbroken.”

In addition, South Carolina Football tweeted a tribute to Lawing as he had a significant influence on the team.

Brad Lawing cause of death

We regret having to let you know that Brad Lawing passed away. The heartbreaking news comes just after Travian Robertson, a former South Carolina star, joined his alma university as the defensive line coach earlier this season. He credited Lawing primarily when asked how he reached this place in his career.

Robertson was coached by Lawing for all five of his seasons at Columbia, and he assisted in his progression into an NFL player. Robertson eventually made the switch to teaching after his playing days were done. Lawing taught him a lot about coaching, he thought.

Robertson said,

“Coach Lawing was great for me. He’s a special guy for me, and our relationship that we had, it’s a lot different than others. He really, really poured his all into us, and we played for him. We played fast for him.”

Additionally, Lawing convinced Robertson to sign with the Gamecocks in the past, and after playing in the NFL, he is now back at his alma institution working for head coach Shane Beamer. Robertson will always cherish him.

Robertson added,

“He’s got a special place in his heart for me. He offered me when I was a puppy in high school. He was at one school, then came over to the great Carolina.

And he offered me here, Once I saw that he believed in me at multiple stops, I trusted him and he helped me become the player that I was while I was here.”

As you can see, Brad Lawing had a significant impact on South Carolina and every Gamecocks fan, and he will be dearly missed. The whole college football community is thinking of and praying for his family, friends, and the program.

Tributes to Brad Lawing

Many people expressed their profound sympathies to his family and expressed how much they loved him.

Erik Kimrey tweeted: “Very saddened to hear the news of Brad Lawing passing away. Coach Lawing was a legend in the coaching profession. He could tell old ball stories with the best of them. Brad was one of the best and most beloved Gamecock assistant coaches of all time. Praying for his family.”

David tweeted: “Awful day in Gamecock Nation. Former defensive line coach Brad Lawing has passed. Everybody who knew coach Lawing loved his knowledge, personality and intensity. He will be missed.”

Brad Crawford tweeted: “South Carolina’s best defensive fronts in program history were built by Brad Lawing. And he helped develop a bunch of future NFL Draft picks who have made hundreds of millions at all of his coaching stops. RIP, Coach.”

One of the worst things anyone can go through in life is losing a loved one. Any journey must have a destination at the end. The person’s time on earth has regrettably come to an end now that they have died. We wish him eternal peace and send our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones, family, friends. May he rest in peace.

Kindly use the comment box below to honor the death of Brad Lawing by leaving a tribute.

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