COLUMBIA, S.C. — If you were a high school football head coach in South Carolina from 1989-1998 or from 2006-2012, chances are you were paid a visit by Brad Lawing.
Considered one of the country's premier recruiters who also was known for developing those players, Brad Lawing spent a total of 17 seasons at South Carolina. He first came to Columbia in 1989 with Sparky Woods and he stayed until 1998. He would return in 2006 and stay until 2012.
Lawing passed away Thursday morning at the age of 65. Shane Beamer, who worked with Lawing on Steve Spurrier's staff, was one of many who took to social media to express their condolences after Lawing's brother-in-law announced Lawing's passing.
Lawing also was an assistant at North Carolina, Michigan State, Florida, and Florida State. Never one to chase the next rung up the coaching ladder, Lawing was more than happy to perfect his craft as a defensive line coach.
Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Lawing was a hard-nosed linebacker at Lenoir-Rhyne where he was a four-year starter. He 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 starting his career as a college football coach.
Brad Lawing was 65.