On December 14, 2006, Mike Lucas was officially named the 14th head football coach at Southeastern Louisiana University after serving the previous two seasons as defensive coordinator.
Under Lucas' guidance, the majority of the Lions' defensive numbers in 2005 improved across the board despite facing a much stiffer schedule including a full-conference slate for the first time since returning football to Hammond.
As newcomers to the SLC, under Lucas the Lions were no cubs, ranking third overall, behind only conference co-champs Nicholls and Texas State, in total defense (349.5 YPG), were second in pass efficiency defense (115.7), third in rushing defense (146.3 YPG) and first in opponent first downs allowed (181). Following the season, defensive back Charles Hall signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns pushing the total number of defensive NFL signees coached by Lucas to eight. Six Lion defenders earned all-Southland notice while Duriel Adams was also named all-Louisiana.
Lucas also serves as the liaison to the Career and Academic Planning Center. The CAP Center assists with all advising and tutorial services provided for Southeastern student-athletes. After one year, the team G.P.A. had seen a considerable increase, doubling the number of football players attaining a 3.0.
Although the hard work of the players, coaches and staff are critical, at least part of the Lions' success in 2005 could be attributed to Lucas' familiarity with the Southland. No stranger to the SLC, Lucas previously served as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for veteran Ron Randleman at Sam Houston State for 15 years repeatedly producing defensive units that ranked among the best in NCAA Division I-AA football and the Southland Conference.
During his time at SHSU, Lucas guided the Bearkat defense among the top 15 in national defensive statistical categories 11 times and led the Southland in defensive statistics five times. The defense set several school records in his tenure including marks for most quarterback sacks (52, 2001) and fewest points allowed (13.2 ppg, 1991). Under Lucas, the Bearkat defense turned out seven defensive players who signed National Football League contracts and two who were NFL draft choices.
Lucas coached 41 defensive players who earned All-Southland honors a total of 65 times. Prior to joining the SHSU staff in 1987, Lucas previously served as defensive coordinator at Eastern New Mexico where his squad led the Lone Star Conference in total defense and scoring defense and ranked third nationally in punt returns.
In 1984, he coached wide receivers at Texas-El Paso. From 1980 to 1983, he coached the secondary, defensive line and linebackers and assisted in the strength and conditioning program at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. He began his coaching career at the College of William and Mary in 1979 as a defensive student assistant.
Lucas was a three-year letterman in football at Pemberton (N.J.) High School and also lettered in baseball and wrestling. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Liberty in 1982, majoring in physical education and psychology.
He and his wife, Wendy, have two sons, Tyler (20), a junior quarterback at Cornell University, and Torin (18).
