Ex-SDSU lineman Lawson returns as D-line coach

Fort Worth (Texas) North Side High defensive line coach Ernie Lawson is expected to have the same position under San Diego State coach Rocky Long according to a source.

It’s a return to San Diego State for Lawson, who was a defensive lineman for the Aztecs from 2006 through 2010. His final two seasons were under Long, then the program’s defensive coordinator, who was promoted to head coach in 2011 when Brady Hoke left to become Michigan’s coach.

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A San Mateo, Calif. native, the 27-year-old Lawson replaces former San Diego State defensive line coach Osia Lewis, who left last week to join the staff of Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason. This past season was Lawson’s first in his position at North Side High.

Prior to that, he was coach at American Canyon High in Canyon, Calif. for a season after spending two years as a defensive graduate assistant at Michigan under Hoke. While playing for San Diego State, Lawson had 79 tackles, including 19 for loss, and four sacks.

The Aztecs had an impressive 11-3 record this past season under Long and won the Mountain West championship as well as the Hawaii Bowl. He has 43-23 record in his five seasons with the program.