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Wes Mitchell
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As we reported earlier today, South Carolina is expected to hire Jacksonville Jaguars assistant defensive line coach Sterling Lucas to replace the departed Mike Peterson, who left last week to join the Florida staff.
In touching base with several people leading up to the likely hire, Lucas is described as an up-and-coming developer of talent, a high-energy worker, and a great person.
Lucas, whose contract is expected to be approved by the BOT on Friday, will slot in as a direct replacement for Mike Peterson, coaching the Gamecocks outside linebackers/EDGEs/ends.
That's the plan right this second anyway, though we're told that Lucas' position versatility and the fact that he played linebacker was also a plus in his direction since he could potentially coach that spot down the road. That is especially important with the departure of defensive analyst Joe Bowen who was an unsung big contributor on the defensive staff and did an excellent job helping out with the LBs in his role on staff.
Lucas is one of several candidates who interviewed with Shane Beamer for the opening and we're told that Lucas blew away Beamer with his interview and came highly recommended from multiple people who either he has worked for or that have been around him in the past.
One source who has worked with the Orangeburg native at a previous stop emphasized that he's a great person and a "damn good ball coach."
The first question many will ask will be: how is he as a recruiter?
While there may be a little bit of a learning curve, this person had no reservations about the lack of experience in that area (Lucas has been in the NFL for a number of years), pointing out that he'll definitely grind and work at it, which is 90% of the battle. He's a young guy too, just 10 years out of college, so those guys tend to connect well with prospects.
We're told that Lucas is a high energy guy who should connect and relate well with players while also bringing South Carolina ties, all things that should help in recruiting. The fact that he was able to help with guys like Terrell Suggs and Josh Allen in the league doesn't hurt either.
The coach went on to say that if he had landed a head coaching opportunity this offseason, then Lucas would have been someone he would have hired.
Lucas cut his teeth in the NFL working in various roles and learning under the on-field staff for a Ravens defense that was consistently one of the best in the league including leading the league in total defense in 2018.
It probably says something that when Ravens defensive line coach Joe Cullen landed the Jags defensive coordinator job this past season that he took Lucas with him after Lucas worked as assistant defensive line coach under him the prior year in Baltimore.
Defensive coordinator Clayton White, who had a say in this search, also worked with Lucas when Lucas was first getting his start in coaching.
Feedback from countless people who worked directly with Lucas in various other roles appears to have been a major factor in bringing the Orangeburg native back home.
Do you have a cell phone? If so, please sign up for our text alerts. Text USC to 877-462-6257. It's a free service!
In touching base with several people leading up to the likely hire, Lucas is described as an up-and-coming developer of talent, a high-energy worker, and a great person.
Lucas, whose contract is expected to be approved by the BOT on Friday, will slot in as a direct replacement for Mike Peterson, coaching the Gamecocks outside linebackers/EDGEs/ends.
That's the plan right this second anyway, though we're told that Lucas' position versatility and the fact that he played linebacker was also a plus in his direction since he could potentially coach that spot down the road. That is especially important with the departure of defensive analyst Joe Bowen who was an unsung big contributor on the defensive staff and did an excellent job helping out with the LBs in his role on staff.
Lucas is one of several candidates who interviewed with Shane Beamer for the opening and we're told that Lucas blew away Beamer with his interview and came highly recommended from multiple people who either he has worked for or that have been around him in the past.
One source who has worked with the Orangeburg native at a previous stop emphasized that he's a great person and a "damn good ball coach."
The first question many will ask will be: how is he as a recruiter?
While there may be a little bit of a learning curve, this person had no reservations about the lack of experience in that area (Lucas has been in the NFL for a number of years), pointing out that he'll definitely grind and work at it, which is 90% of the battle. He's a young guy too, just 10 years out of college, so those guys tend to connect well with prospects.
We're told that Lucas is a high energy guy who should connect and relate well with players while also bringing South Carolina ties, all things that should help in recruiting. The fact that he was able to help with guys like Terrell Suggs and Josh Allen in the league doesn't hurt either.
The coach went on to say that if he had landed a head coaching opportunity this offseason, then Lucas would have been someone he would have hired.
Lucas cut his teeth in the NFL working in various roles and learning under the on-field staff for a Ravens defense that was consistently one of the best in the league including leading the league in total defense in 2018.
It probably says something that when Ravens defensive line coach Joe Cullen landed the Jags defensive coordinator job this past season that he took Lucas with him after Lucas worked as assistant defensive line coach under him the prior year in Baltimore.
Defensive coordinator Clayton White, who had a say in this search, also worked with Lucas when Lucas was first getting his start in coaching.
Feedback from countless people who worked directly with Lucas in various other roles appears to have been a major factor in bringing the Orangeburg native back home.
Do you have a cell phone? If so, please sign up for our text alerts. Text USC to 877-462-6257. It's a free service!
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