WATERTOWN, Wis. -- Maranatha Baptist University announced today the arrival of Jarid ('10) and Lindsay Lawson, who will join the coaching staff for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Jarid will fill the roles of Assistant Athletic Director, and head coach of Women's Soccer and Softball while Lindsay becomes head coach of Maranatha Women's Volleyball.

Jarid Lawson: Serving a Dual Purpose
As Assistant Athletic Director, Jarid will oversee the athletics event staff and will be responsible primarily for compliance and facility coordination. Jarid's first coaching task will be joining forces with Coach Jeff Pill, who retains his title of Director of Soccer Operations, overseeing the training and competition for the Sabercats Men's and Women's Soccer Teams. In the spring of 2025, Jarid will take over the softball program from Rob Thompson, who announced yesterday the 2024 season will be his final one as Athletic Director and Softball Coach (story).

Jarid is eager to hit the ground running and build relationships, build players, and build a culture that is both attractive and effective - on the diamond, in the department, and on the soccer field.

"I'm focused on the process. Of course I'm competitive, so I want to see us win, but I want to see us improve skill-wise so that we can build a winning culture in our mindset and how we compete, and in how we interact and build relationships. I want to see our players be creative and not feel like they have to operate in a coach-created box. I want to put players in game scenarios in practice so they can problem-solve in the games. So with that, we are 'process' over 'outcome' and we are 'team' over 'individual.' I want us to build relationships that are iron-sharpening-iron, so the players take what they learn here as they continue on building families and getting involved in their communities. I want to see us be successful, but I want to help the players improve themselves over the four years and how they can best use the game to glorify their savior." - Jarid Lawson

Lawson is no stranger to the game, as he played for the Maranatha Men's Soccer Team from 2006-09. As a coach, Lawson is familiar with championship programs, as he has led two schools in Arizona, Tri-City Christian Academy (Chandler, Arizona), and the Leading Edge Academy (Gilbert, Arizona) to multiple soccer tournament runs in the Canyon Athletic Association - including 11 final four appearances, five state runner-up titles, and three state championships. All told, Jarid has 12 years of coaching soccer under his belt.

Lawson expects to take that experience and channel it into his coaching when he sets foot on the MBU campus.

"On the soccer side, I want to see more goals and a heavier emphasis on how we can win games. But since success is measured for me in terms of spiritual and character growth, I want to see the players serve throughout the school year, that they're ministering together and supporting each other. I want to see our young ladies be scholar-athletes, serving on campus, and being godly examples of what we desire our athletes and our students to be. I want to see what our 'metal' comes out as after that 'fire' [of the season] and I'd love to see us make a difference because we've gone through difficult challenges." - Jarid Lawson

(A release detailing the Maranatha soccer coaching realignment will be published later today at mbusabercats.com)

Lindsay Lawson: Continuing the Tradition
For Lindsay, stepping into the role of Head Women's Volleyball Coach adds her to a star-studded list of head coaches for the program, including Vickie (Grooms) Denny, Marsha Jackson, and Regina DeLozier, as the Pillsbury graduate inherits a program with an institution-best nine NCCAA national championships to its name. Helping Lawson in the transition will be 2023 Interim Head Coach, Mattie Bumpus, who will remain on staff to serve as Assistant Coach as Lawson takes over.

Lindsay comes to the program with collegiate playing experience at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College (NCCAA DII), earning all-region honors as an outside hitter. Lindsay's coaching experience is unquestioned, as she has coached at the high school varsity level for nine seasons before coming to Maranatha. Lindsay led Tri-City Christian School (Independence, Mo.) and Tri-City Christian Academy (Chandler, Ariz.) to six state final four appearances, two state runner-ups, and an Arizona state championship in 2013, where she was subsequently named CAA Coach of the Year.

"I'm excited to coach again full-fledged, on the court in a sport that I really love and I'm following some pretty big shoes. I'm excited to prepare and build relationships with students and share the love of a sport with the students. My philosophy of coaching centers around the whole person - coaching is specific to the sport and specific to [the individual], so everyone can take their next step in multiple areas. We want to continually learn. And if we continue to make strides and reach small goals along the way, that's success. We'll come in with goals regarding opponents, individual performances, and we want to go in as a unit that continues to work, continues to learn, and continues to represent Maranatha and God well." - Lindsay Lawson 

The Lawsons plan to move to Watertown this summer and hit the ground running in August for the 2024 fall preseason. 

"We are excited to add Jarid and Lindsay Lawson to the MBU Coaching team. Jarid's background working with Coach Paul Brown will provide for a seamless transition in the athletic office. Lindsay will also bring experience as a high school volleyball coach, taking over for Mattie Bumpus, adding the experience and knowledge in the MBU Women's Volleyball Program. We welcome the Lawsons to MBU." - Rob Thompson

For more on Maranatha Women's Soccer, go here.
For more on Maranatha Softball, go here.
For more on Maranatha Women's Volleyball, go here.