Sterling Lucas has blossomed into one of the Southeastern Conference's most effective defensive line coaches in his five seasons at South Carolina, the last four of them as the on-field assistant coach responsible for the Gamecocks' ends, outside linebackers and as running game coordinator.
He's helped Dylan Stewart grow from Freshman All-America honoree in 2024 to projected NFL First Round Draft Pick in 2027. He helped both Stewart and Bryan Thomas Jr. earn All-SEC honors this past fall, despite South Carolina's woeful on-field struggles that resulted in a 4-8 season.
Now, Lucas has emerged as a top target for Lane Kiffin's inaugural LSU Tigers staff.
Numerous sources Friday morning tell FootballScoop that Lucas is being targeted by the Tigers to join the staff of heralded defensive coordinator Blake Baker. No deal has been finalized but discussions were ongoing.
The Tigers had recently brought in Elijah Robinson for the position and engaged in deep discussions with Robinson, the former Syracuse defensive coordinator and longtime Texas A&M assistant coach, but multiple sources this week told FootballScoop that LSU had moved on in its search.
Robinson continues to be linked to multiple jobs, most notably emerging this weekend as a candidate to join Mike Elko's Texas A&M staff.
At LSU, Lucas could present the final piece of Baker's defensive staff. After turning down the Tulane head coaching post to remain at LSU, Baker largely is set on the defensive side of the ball but has a spot that can be tailored to the skillset of Lucas.
As Kiffin seeks to revamp LSU football, Lucas presents a compelling blend of both collegiate experience -- particularly in the meat-grinder SEC -- as well as professional football. In addition to spending the 2021 season as an assistant defensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Lucas worked five seasons for John Harbaugh's Baltimore Ravens organization from 2016-20.
South Carolina a year ago awarded Lucas a revised contract that elevated his pay and extended him through the 2026 calendar year with a salary of $775,000. Per a review of Lucas's amended contract, he would be responsible to South Carolina for a buyout in the range of $300,000. Sources also indicated the Gamecocks were aggressively seeking to keep Lucas on staff as he's emerged as a start recruiter and developmental coach and teacher.