LSU and head coach Lane Kiffin continue to make waves this offseason, and their latest move is a big one on the defensive side of the ball. The Tigers have hired Sterling Lucas away from South Carolina, bringing him on board as their new defensive line coach. It's a significant addition-and a tough loss for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks.
Lucas has been a key figure in South Carolina’s defensive development, wrapping up his fifth season coaching the Gamecocks' defensive ends and outside linebackers. His impact on both recruiting and player development has been hard to miss. He helped land some of the most talented edge rushers in recent memory for South Carolina, including five-star phenom Dylan Stewart, a 6-foot-5 pass-rushing machine with all the tools to dominate at the next level.
Lucas also played a pivotal role in bringing in Kyle Kennard, a transfer who made an immediate splash in Columbia. Kennard led the SEC with 11.5 sacks in 2024, earning the prestigious Bronko Nagurski Trophy in the process.
That kind of production doesn’t happen by accident. Kennard credited Lucas for helping him unlock his potential in his lone season at South Carolina.
And it wasn’t just edge rushers. Lucas was instrumental in recruiting five-star athlete Nyck Harbor, who eventually transitioned to wide receiver at the college level. His ability to identify and connect with top-tier talent has made him one of the most respected recruiters and position coaches in the SEC.
For Beamer, the timing of this departure couldn’t be more challenging. Just days ago, he introduced three new offensive staff members-Kendal Briles as offensive coordinator (coming over from TCU), Stan Drayton as running backs coach (from Penn State), and Randy Clements as offensive line coach (also from TCU).
Those hires were made to fill vacancies created by firings. Lucas’s exit, on the other hand, is a straight-up poach by a conference rival.
And with the transfer portal set to reopen on January 2, the timing gets even trickier. Stewart, who was recruited by and developed under Lucas, could be a name to watch. If he decides to enter the portal, LSU might suddenly find itself with not just a new defensive line coach, but one of the most dynamic young edge rushers in the country following him to Baton Rouge.
South Carolina’s depth at edge rusher has already taken a hit. Bryan Thomas Jr., who led the team with eight sacks this past season, is out of eligibility.
Stewart chipped in 4.5 sacks as a freshman, showing flashes of the disruptive force he’s projected to become. Losing both starting edge rushers-and the coach who helped bring them along-would leave a major hole in the Gamecocks’ defense heading into 2026.
For LSU, this is a calculated and strategic move. Kiffin is building his staff with an eye on SEC dominance, and adding a recruiter and developer like Lucas is a strong step in that direction. For South Carolina, the challenge now is twofold: fill the coaching vacancy quickly and try to hold onto the talent Lucas helped bring in.
The offseason chess match in the SEC is already in full swing.