Sammy Lawanson was named Northern Arizona University's outside linebackers and nickelbacks coach in July 2020.

During his first season with the Lumberjacks, Anthony Sweeney earned All-Big Sky Second Team honors after splitting time between nickelback and safety in NAU's five-game spring schedule.

Lawanson arrived in Flagstaff with more than 20 years of coaching experience, as well as an extended run in the Big Sky Conference. From 2014 to 2018, Lawanson held two different positions at Sacramento State, first as the program’s running backs coach for two seasons before being promoted to defensive coordinator.

Prior to joining NAU, Lawanson spent the spring of 2020 coaching outside linebackers for the DC Defenders of the XFL after spending the previous fall as a defensive quality control coach at Fresno State.

During his three-year tenure as the defensive coordinator for Sacramento State, Lawanson also coached the team’s linebackers and safeties. Sacramento State led the FCS with 43 sacks in the 2017 season. Additionally, the Hornets ranked third in the nation in defensive touchdowns (5), fourth in third-down defense (26%) and fourth in tackles for loss (93). The program also led the Big Sky with 23 takeaways during the 2017 season. Sacramento State’s all-time sacks leader George Obinna earned 14 of his school record 33.5 sacks during his two full seasons playing in Lawanson’s defense, while Ben Sorenson recorded 14.5 sacks in his two seasons under Lawanson as well. Sorenson went on to earn third team All-America honors from the Associated Press after finishing the 2017 season with 12.5 tackles-for-loss and 10 sacks in 10 games. 

Before landing in Sacramento, Lawanson spent two years at Arizona State on the same staff as current NAU assistant coaches Bob Connelly and Aaron Pflugrad, as well as head coach Chris Ball. Lawanson held the title of defensive quality control coach in 2012 when he worked with the team’s safeties and special teams, and was the manager of player development in 2013 when he assisted with tight ends and fullbacks.

Lawanson’s other coaching experience comes from nearly a decade of work as a high school coach in Texas from 2004 to 2012, as well as stops at Tulsa and Cal Poly following his graduation from San Diego State. While in Oklahoma, Lawanson coached linebackers and the secondary for Tulsa and his two-year stint at Cal Poly was spent coaching running backs.

Playing two seasons at outside linebacker for the Aztecs, Lawanson was an honorable mention all-WAC selection following his junior season. Prior to his time at San Diego State, Lawanson played two years at Fresno City College.

After finishing his eligibility, Lawanson spent parts of two seasons on his alma mater’s staff, helping coach defensive backs and special teams.

College/Professional Coaching Experience
2020-Present: Northern Arizona Outside Linebackers/Nickelbacks
2020: DC Defenders (XFL) Outside Linebackers
2019: Fresno State Defensive Quality Control
2016-18: Sacramento State Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers/Safeties
2014-16: Sacramento State Running Backs
2013-14: Arizona State Manager of Player Development
2012-13: Arizona State Defensive Quality Control
2002-04: Tulsa Secondary
2000-02: Tulsa Linebackers
1999-00: Cal Poly Running Backs