HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University officials announced Monday that head football coach Mike Lucas will be released from his duties effective immediately.

Although the program ended the 2011 season on a winning note as the Lions defeated in-state rival Nicholls State last Thursday night in the River Bell Classic, the Lions were 3-8 this season.

Lucas held an overall record of 19-40 during his five years as head coach, a position he assumed at the end of the 2006 campaign after serving the previous two seasons as defensive coordinator. After leading Southeastern to a 6-5 record in 2009, its best mark since finishing 7-4 in 2004, Lucas was selected as Coach of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

According to officials, the search for a new coach will begin immediately.