New Gamecock assistant Sterling Lucas ‘a rising star in the business,’ Jaguars GM says
South Carolina defensive line coach Sterling Lucas received heavy praise from his former employer.
Speaking with reporters during Tuesday’s NFL Scouting Combine, Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke briefly reflected on Lucas’ time with the organization last season.
“I think Sterling Lucas is a rising star in the business, I really do,” Baalke said. “He’s a young man that connects well with the players. He works tirelessly. He’s a good family man and I wish him nothing but the best at South Carolina.”
A disciple of longtime NFL defensive line coach Joe Cullen, Lucas joined the Jacksonville staff with his former mentor as an assistant defensive line coach.
Prior to his one-year stint with the Jaguars, Lucas spent the previous five years with the Baltimore Ravens in a handful of different roles.
Beamer hired Lucas to replace outgoing outside linebackers/edge coach Mike Peterson, who took an assistant coaching job on Billy Napier’s staff at Florida. An Orangeburg native, Lucas was recruited as a player by Beamer during his time on Steve Spurrier’s staff in Columbia before he signed with N.C. State.
“Sterling’s got a lot of experience with different positions on that defense,” Beamer said when Lucas was hired. “And I feel he’s got flexibility that he could coach about anything and bring knowledge to that defensive room to continue to help our defense advance and continue to be multiple and get a little better each year.”
The South Carolina board of trustees approved a two-year deal for Lucas last month that will pay him $350,000 annually.
For the 2022 season, the Gamecocks lose stalwarts Kingsley “JJ” Enagbare and Aaron Sterling at defensive end, but return former five-star recruit Jordan Burch and one-time Georgia State transfer Jordan Strachan.
South Carolina starts spring practice on March 15.
