Bradley Nelson Lawing

He was preceded in death by his father, William Lawing. He is survived by his mother, Merriel Lawing; his wife, Laura; daughter, Susie Hughes (Thomas); son, Will Lawing (Allie); his granddaughters, Natalie, Mary Brooks, and Claire Hughes; and his sisters, Kelley Grigg and Kristy Parris (Wayne).

Brad grew up in Hickory, NC. At an early age, his love for sports was very apparent as he spent his childhood playing baseball and football year-round. He was also an Eagle Scout. He was a graduate of St. Stephens High School in Hickory, NC and went on to be a four-year starting linebacker at Lenoir-Rhyne University where he met the love of his life, Laura. He then began his career doing what he loved, coaching. Brad and Laura started their life in Havelock, NC where Brad coached baseball and football for three years at Havelock High-School. He earned a master’s degree from Appalachian State University in 1985 and started his collegiate coaching career there. After six years at App State and starting their family in Boone, Brad coached at the University of South Carolina (1989-1998, 2006-2012), Michigan State (1999-2002), University of North Carolina (2003-2005), University of Florida (2013-2015), and ended his career at Florida State University (2015-2019). Brad’s outstanding contributions to football were recognized when he was nominated for a 2011 Broyles Award and inducted into Lenoir-Rhyne’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

Over the course of his life, “Lawdawg” was a respected member of the coaching industry who developed some of the top defensive prospects in college football and the NFL. He had an impact on many young men on and off the field. He was known for his ability to develop talent, dedication to recruiting, and his commitment to the game of football. He spent the last several years of his life at his home on Lake Murray catching up with old friends and coaches, showcasing his story-telling on several podcasts, checking in on former players, and being the best “Coachie” to his granddaughters.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 23rd, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at Lexington High School, 2463 Augusta Hwy, Lexington, SC 29072.

Memorials may be sent to Game Changers at River’s Edge Retreat.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanlexington.com for the Lawing family.