Stepping aside

Aug 24, 2026 By Rob Burchianti 6 min read

You could hear it in Brandon Lawless’s voice after the boys basketball season ended.

Lawless had guided Jefferson-Morgan to one of its best years in program history and he sounded exhausted as he discussed the just-completed season in March.

Five months later, Lawless has stepped down after guiding the Rockets the past five years. His 2025-26 team went 24-4 to set a school record for wins in a season. Jefferson-Morgan also claimed its first section championship since 2001 and won its first WPIAL playoff game and first PIAA playoff game since 2000.

What a way to go out.

“To a degree it was such a relief,” Lawless said in again reflecting on the past season. “We were so senior oriented and had such high expectations. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves and I put a lot of pressure on myself, personally, going in and throughout the year to achieve what we felt we were capable of.

“Winning a section championship was the main goal and anything short of that I think would’ve been considered an underachievement. We all knew that. We made a run at it the year before but came up short. This year we came through, they did it, they reached all our goals.

“The kids, I give them credit, especially those seniors, Jeremiah Robertson, Dayten Marion, Jaymison Robinson, Brayden Ellsworth and John Woodward. They were all determined to make it a special season. And they did.”

Lawless, who is an accountant for TSI Touch and works out of Uniontown, pondered in the offseason and finally decided to turn in his resignation as coach.

“I knew with football season approaching it was best I make a decision soon,” he said. “I didn’t want to leave them in a bind. I took a step back and kind of reflected on these last five years and everything I and my players put into this program. I know the effort and will it takes to be there every day and instruct and guide and be a leader to try to get them to reach their full capabilities. It’s a lot of hours, and takes up most of your spare time.

“After this group came through and accomplished what they did, reaching the goals we had set, I thought this was a good time to step aside. I’m not married and with turning 30 I kind of want to flip the focus, take a step back, take some time for myself.”

Lawless was hired before the 2021-22 season and ended his run with five straight winning records and playoff appearances, an impressive 75-40 overall record and a 40-18 section mark.

Lawless was only 25 when he accepted the J-M head coaching position. He is a Carmichaels graduate who was a three-sport star with the Mikes. He was the quarterback of the football team and set the school record for passing touchdowns. He was a stellar pitcher for the baseball team and went on to pitch for four years at Waynesburg University where he earned a degree in business management with a concentration in accounting.

In basketball he scored close to 1,300 points for the Mikes, averaging 10 points per game as a sophomore, 20 as a junior and 28 as senior. During the 2013-14 season he hit eight 3-pointers in scoring 48 points during a win over Bentworth.

“J-M welcomed me with open arms and I couldn’t have asked for a better support system with Scot Moore, who was the AD at the time, and the administration, the school board and the community, the fans. It’ll always be a special place to me and I’m thankful for the memories that we will share forever.

“I want to especially thank all my assistant coaches, Tim Jones, Bruce Ellsworth, Heath Muscavitch, Easton McDaniel, Brent Baker. Those guys the last five years were very impactful in helping take the program to another level.”

Lawless went year to year on his head coaching contract while with the Rockets.

“I can truthfully say in all five years we had zero issues in any regards,” Lawless said. “I was blessed in that aspect. I definitely want to give a huge thank you on that end to my players. That just shows how coachable they were and how bought into our program they were.

“I stressed defense a lot and sometimes it’s hard to get players to buy into that, but this group, they welcomed it and took pride in their defense.”

Lawless said he constantly evolved as a head coach.

“You almost have to because the game is constantly evolving and changing, and even more so in these next few years with the shot clock being implemented,” he said.

“I always laugh because the first year I thought I had the game figured out and then my second year it was kind of a rude awakening,” Lawless said with a chuckle. “But I would pick things up each year to help me the next season. You’re always critiquing the things you do, going back to the drawing board to see what you can do more efficiently. Getting accustomed each season to what you have in the room takes some trial and error.”

As for his defense-first approach, Lawless said, “There are many different philosophies and ways to go about coaching a team. You just have to sort of find your niche and go with it. I really value defense and that’s what I stressed above all else.”

Lawless didn’t shut the door on a return to coaching.

“I wouldn’t say I’m stepping back forever from the game,” Lawless said. “I’m a sports guy. I’ve been around it my entire life. I may feel the urge to get back into coaching at some point, and, if so, I’ll see what openings arise.”

Lawless has had other coaching opportunities.

“I’ve been inquired about baseball quite a few times and was an assistant for J-M’s football team,” Lawless said. “But I think basketball would be the only sport I’d want to coach if I did get back into it since it’s a game I love and now I’ve got experience in running a program.

“I will say I could never pay the players or the game of basketball back for the experiences they gifted me.”