University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Interim Tag Lifted Off Defensive Coordinator Mike Lucas
12/13/2016 4:24:00 PM | Football
Cajuns finished regular season ranked in top 50 in rushing defense, total defense among FBS schools
LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns head football coach Mark Hudspeth announced on Tuesday that Mike Lucas, who has served as the team's interim defensive coordinator for the 2016 season, has been elevated to defensive coordinator.
Hudspeth also announced that co-defensive coordinator Charles Harbison will remain in his current role with the Ragin' Cajuns, who will face Southern Miss in 2016 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Saturday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
"Mike has done an excellent job directing our defense since taking over in the second week of the season," Hudspeth said. "Under his direction, we have been consistent each week defensively and have continued to improve."
Lucas was named interim defensive coordinator after the Ragin' Cajuns season-opener against Boise State and would guide a group that would finish among the national FBS leaders in three categories.
Led by first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection Otha Peters, USA Today Freshman All-America Joe Dillon and linebacker Tre'maine Lightfoot, Louisiana finished the regular season ranked 24th among FBS programs in rushing defense (128.7 ypg.), 34th in third-down conversion defense (.361) and 40th in total defense (370.6).
Lucas, who joined the Ragin' Cajuns staff in 2015 after serving as defensive coordinator at Northwestern State, spent 15 years as defensive coordinator (1987-2001) at Sam Houston State before becoming defensive coordinator (2005-06) and head coach (2007-11) at Southeastern Louisiana.
During his first season with the Ragin' Cajuns, Lucas was instrumental in the play of a linebacker corp that was led by first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection Dominique Tovell.
He spent the 2013 season as the defensive line coach at Indiana State and earlier in his career coached at his alma mater, Liberty, along with stops at William and Mary, UTEP, and Eastern New Mexico.
Hudspeth also announced that co-defensive coordinator Charles Harbison will remain in his current role with the Ragin' Cajuns, who will face Southern Miss in 2016 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl on Saturday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
"Mike has done an excellent job directing our defense since taking over in the second week of the season," Hudspeth said. "Under his direction, we have been consistent each week defensively and have continued to improve."
Lucas was named interim defensive coordinator after the Ragin' Cajuns season-opener against Boise State and would guide a group that would finish among the national FBS leaders in three categories.
Led by first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection Otha Peters, USA Today Freshman All-America Joe Dillon and linebacker Tre'maine Lightfoot, Louisiana finished the regular season ranked 24th among FBS programs in rushing defense (128.7 ypg.), 34th in third-down conversion defense (.361) and 40th in total defense (370.6).
Lucas, who joined the Ragin' Cajuns staff in 2015 after serving as defensive coordinator at Northwestern State, spent 15 years as defensive coordinator (1987-2001) at Sam Houston State before becoming defensive coordinator (2005-06) and head coach (2007-11) at Southeastern Louisiana.
During his first season with the Ragin' Cajuns, Lucas was instrumental in the play of a linebacker corp that was led by first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection Dominique Tovell.
He spent the 2013 season as the defensive line coach at Indiana State and earlier in his career coached at his alma mater, Liberty, along with stops at William and Mary, UTEP, and Eastern New Mexico.
Players Mentioned
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballMichael Desormeaux Media Availability (Nov 3, 2025)
Monday, November 03
Michael Desormeaux Media Availability (Oct 27, 2025)
Monday, October 27
Michael Desormeaux Media Availability (Oct 20, 2025)
Monday, October 20
Jaden Dugger Media Availability (Oct 18, 2025)
Sunday, October 19
