GRAND RAPIDS – The Calvin University football program has hired Josh Lawson as its new defensive coordinator.
Lawson comes to Calvin with two decades of coaching experience across every level of college football, most recently serving as the defensive coordinator at NCAA Division II Arkansas Tech University from 2019-22.
"We are very excited to add Josh Lawson as our first defensive coordinator," Calvin head football coach Trent Figg said. "Coach Lawson is an outstanding defensive play caller, but even more importantly he is an incredible man. Josh is a tireless worker and he will bring great value to not only the Calvin football program, but to the entire University as we build this program from the ground floor. Josh is the type of man that future student-athletes and their families will want their young men to be mentored by. I could not be happier to announce Coach Lawson as our defensive coordinator."
Lawson has been the defensive coordinator at three different schools during his coaching career. Prior to his four seasons at Arkansas Tech, Lawson ran the defense at Stephen F. Austin State University in 2018, as well as at Southern Arkansas University from 2012-16.
A 2003 graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in Secondary Education, Lawson worked as a student recruiting assistant for the Crimson Tide from 2001-02, and then as a graduate assistant and recruiting quality control coach from 2003-04.
After earning his Master's degree in Human Performance in 2004 from Alabama, Lawson was a position coach at Idaho State University (defensive line) and the University of Alabama Birmingham (linebackers) before moving to Southern Arkansas in 2009. During his eight seasons at Southern Arkansas, Lawson crossed paths with Figg, who was a member of that coaching staff during the 2014 season.
During his 10 seasons as a defensive coordinator, Lawson coached 25 all-conference performers, as well as three All-Americans.
Lawson is excited to join Figg on staff and is looking forward to the challenge of building the Calvin program.
"Having the opportunity to work with Coach Figg and Tori again is a blessing," Lawson said. "I'm excited to help build Calvin football from the ground up."
