LSU Zeros In on South Carolina’s Sterling Lucas for Defensive Line Coach Opening
LSU is closing in on the final piece of Lane Kiffin’s first coaching staff in Baton Rouge, and all eyes are now on South Carolina’s Sterling Lucas as a serious candidate to fill the Tigers’ defensive line coach vacancy.
It’s been a bit of a revolving door when it comes to this position - a few names have surfaced, but none have stuck. Now, Lucas has emerged as a name to watch, and there’s good reason for that. While the role at LSU would differ slightly from his current responsibilities at South Carolina, his résumé suggests he’s more than equipped for the challenge.
Lucas is in his fifth year with the Gamecocks and currently holds a multi-faceted role: defensive run game coordinator, defensive ends coach, and outside linebackers coach. This season marked his first as the run game coordinator, and despite South Carolina’s struggles in the win-loss column (4-8), the defense held its own against the run.
The Gamecocks finished 47th nationally in rushing defense, giving up just 136 yards per game and a respectable 3.77 yards per carry. That’s a solid showing, especially considering the grind of SEC play.
But Lucas’ impact goes beyond the box score. He’s been a force on the recruiting trail, leading the charge to land five-star edge rusher Dylan Stewart and athletic phenom Nyck Harbor - two of the most coveted high school players in the country.
Stewart has already emerged as one of the nation’s premier pass rushers, while Harbor was once a top LSU target before Lucas helped reel him in for the Gamecocks. That kind of recruiting muscle is exactly what LSU covets as it looks to reload its defensive front.
Before joining South Carolina, Lucas cut his teeth in the NFL, spending time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and logging five years with the Baltimore Ravens. That pro-level experience, paired with his SEC recruiting chops, makes him a compelling candidate - especially for a program like LSU that expects dominance in the trenches.
The Tigers had a familiar face coaching the defensive line last season in former LSU great Kyle Williams, who stepped in to get a feel for the role. Williams earned respect in the locker room and on the field, but he’s since decided to step away from coaching, leaving the position open once again.
At one point, Syracuse co-defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson was seen as a top target for the job, but that path appears to have cooled. Now, the focus has shifted squarely to Lucas - a rising star with a strong mix of NFL pedigree, SEC experience, and proven recruiting success.
If LSU does pull the trigger, it wouldn’t just be filling a coaching vacancy - it’d be adding a young, ascending defensive mind with the potential to make an immediate impact on the Tigers’ front seven.