I mentioned this one back on 4/29 – it’s now been made official. USC Salkehatchie has named Kyle Lawson as their new head men’s basketball coach. Here’s the official release from the school:
Kyle Lawson has been named head men’s basketball coach for the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Lawson to the USC Salkehatchie family. He is no stranger to NJCAA basketball and displays a passion for not only the sport but, more importantly, holding his players to a high standard both on and off the court,” Director of Athletics Jeremy Joye said. “His commitment to academic excellence and integrity in his players communicates an understanding that it is not about the next two years or four years for these athletes, but rather about the next 20-40 years. That is the mission here at USC Salkehatchie—to prepare them for the next 20-40 years.”
Lawson comes to USC Salkehatchie from Black Hills State University, where he most recently was an assistant coach. While there, he specialized in player development and opponent scouting. The Yellow Jackets, during Lawson’s time, achieved multiple new milestones: two RMAC Championships, an RMAC Tournament Championship, and trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament and Final Four this year.
“I’m so excited and appreciative to receive my first head coaching job,” Lawson said. “I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to continue to grow and impact student-athletes lives on a daily basis. This program has been built into a well-known name by the previous coaches and I can’t thank them enough. I’m ready to get to work!”
An Orange County, California native, Lawson also made a stop at Dawson Community College, helping them make it to the NJCAA Division I Tournament for the first time in school history. Before coaching, he played collegiately at MSU Denver and Orange Coast College.
Lawson received his bachelor’s degree in history from MSU Denver and went on to obtain his master’s degree in strategic leadership from Black Hills State University. Lawson will start on May 13.
