Fort Wayne FC has hired Russ Lawson, head coach of the Huntington University men’s soccer team, as an assistant coach.

Fort Wayne FC is a National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) team set to begin play in May 2020. The squad will compete in the league’s Great Lakes Conference.

NPSL is a national outdoor soccer league at the fourth tier of the United States soccer pyramid.

Lawson is entering his 20th season as Huntington’s head coach. Under his leadership, the Foresters have developed into one of the top NAIA teams in the region, ranked 15th out of 188 teams nationwide. Over the past five seasons, Huntington has averaged over 10 wins a year, which includes a 15-5-3 campaign in 2019. The Foresters have won back to back Crossroads League Tournament titles, which earned them berths in the NAIA National Tournament.

In addition to his coaching duties, Lawson serves as Huntington’s director of sports facilities.

Lawson holds a Premier Soccer License from United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA). He has coached club soccer for the past 15 years with Fort Wayne United FC, Citadel and is currently one of the technical directors of Fort Wayne Soccer Club.

Lawson is a graduate of Huntington College, where he was a three-year starter for the Foresters’ soccer team.