Standout U.S. High School Football Coach Lawrence Smith Jr. Headed To Prison

Former Dunbar high school football coach Lawrence Smith Jr., who enjoyed a record-setting tenure at the Baltimore-based school, has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges.

According to High School on SI via MSN, Smith pled guilty in October to counts of wire fraud and tax evasion. He has now been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Smith must also pay over $215,000 in restitution plus over $60,000 to the IRS.

Smith previously worked as a Baltimore City Schools police officer and reportedly submitted fraudulent overtime slips for over $200,000 in time not worked, all while evading over $60,000 in income taxes.

Success on the Field

Smith spent 16 seasons as head coach of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Baltimore, becoming one of the most accomplished coaches in its history. He went 169-23 overall, winning eight state titles (2007, 2008, 2010-12, 2017, 2021, 2022) and winning the final 26 games of his tenure with back-to-back 13-0 seasons.

His tenure wasn't without some controversy though. He was suspended for a reported locker room hazing incident in 2013, but had it overturned after an appeal.

Smith would coach up until the first two games of the 2023 season, though both games were not finished due to various incident.

Dunbar High School has produced a number of NFL and NBA players through the year.

Former No. 8 overall NFL Draft pick Tavon Austin attended Dunbar while Smith was the head coach en route to his historic career at West Virginia University.

Renown NBA player Muggsy Bogues also played for the basketball team in the early-1980s.

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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 11:13 AM.