Ernie Lawson

TitleAssistant Coach (defensive line)

At San Diego State

Ernie Lawson enters his third season as San Diego State’s defensive line coach.
With Lawson on staff, the Aztecs ranked 11th nationally in total defense (314.5) for the second straight year in 2017 and were among the FBS leaders red zone defense (.758) and scoring defense (20.2), occupying the 19th and 21st spots, respectively.
In 2016, SDSU also finished sixth in the country in rushing defense (105.7), 11th in total defense (315.4) and 18th team passing efficiency defense (115.47).
Under his direction, Alex Barrett was a first-team all-MW?selection for the second straight season in 2016, becoming the first Aztec defensive lineman to earn first-team all-MW honors on multiple occasions. Barrett finished his SDSU career tied for fourth in sacks (19.0) and tied for seventh in tackles for loss (40.0) before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions in?April 2017.

Previous Experience

Served two seasons as a coach at the high school level.
In 2015, he was the defensive line coach and head football strength coach at North Side High in Fort Worth, Texas.
Was the head coach, defensive coordinator and head strength coach at American Canyon (Calif.) High, where he implemented the 3-3-5 defense.
Spent two years at Michigan as a graduate assistant with the linebackers and defensive line, working under former Aztec head coach?Brady Hoke.
While at Michigan, he worked with former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison on the intricacies of numerous defenses in 2014, including the 3-3-5.

Playing Experience

Lawson captained the 2010 SDSU football team to a 9-4 overall record and the program’s first bowl berth since 1998.
A four-year letterwinner from 2007-10, Lawson was an Honorable Mention?All-MW performer as a senior, recording 30 tackles, including 9.5 for loss.
Chosen as San Diego State's co-defensive player of the year in 2010, and received one of the team's captain awards.
Voted the Aztecs' Most Inspirational Player in 2007. Lawson was also a multi-time scholar-athlete while at SDSU

Education

Earned his bachelor's degree in fitness, nutrition and health from San Diego State in December 2010 and his master's degree in kinesiology from Michigan in May 2014.

Personal