HAMMOND – In a postseason meeting prior to the Christmas holiday, Southeastern Louisiana head football coach Mike Lucas met with University President John Crain and Director of Athletics Bart Bellairs to discuss the recently completed 2010 gridiron campaign and plans for the future.
In the meeting, Lucas was asked by both Crain and Bellairs to evaluate the program and to make necessary changes to improve the team's performance on and off the field.
“As a university Southeastern has been extremely successful in recent years, and Lion fans and supporters deserve and expect the same thing from our football program,” Crain said.
After posting a 6-5 record in 2009, which created a high level of excitement on campus and community, Southeastern posted a disappointing 2-9 mark in 2010 with six losses decided by a combined 20 points. The Lions nearly notched their first wins against FBS opponents, dropping a 27-21 decision at Tulane and a 21-20 setback at Louisiana-Monroe while losing a 13-10 decision to McNeese State on a last second field goal and a 27-25 setback to archrival Nicholls State.
With the majority of games that could have gone either way, Lucas and his staff saw a need for change and developed a plan for 2011 that focuses on recruiting, staffing, practices and discipline.
At the beginning of the 2010 season, Lucas addressed two question marks on the roster – quarterback and kicker – positions that were previously filled by four-year letterwinners Brian Babin and Jeff Turner. Their replacements in 2010 showed flashes of brilliance, but each also had their inconsistencies in their first year as full-time starters.
Part of Lucas' plan involves visiting other football staffs from across the country – mainly at the FBS level – and discussing coaching philosophies and techniques that will add more firepower to the Lions' offensive and defensive packages.
“In the coaching profession, we are always trading ideas and we're looking forward to visiting some other places and adding some new and fresh ideas to our schemes on both sides of the ball.”
Recruiting the right type of student-athlete is a priority for Lucas and his staff, which landed the No. 1 recruiting class among FCS schools in 2010 and added 28 players in the recent signing period. Southeastern must replace 19 seniors, including All-America safety Tommy Connors and veteran offensive lineman Kevin Hughes. But Lucas, who is under contract with the University through 2012, and his staff remained relentless on the recruiting trail, visiting numerous schools and homes looking to find the players needed to build a championship program.
Penalties and turnovers also plagued the Lions in 2010 and a need for improvement in those areas is one of Lucas' goals for 2011. Southeastern ranked among the Southland Conference leaders in passing offense, total offense, takeaways, sacks and rushing defense, but were tied for the league-league in giveaways and were third in penalties.
“Turnovers and penalties were a problem for us last year and correcting those will be focal points in improving team discipline,” Lucas said. “From workouts in the weight room to having game officials present at spring practice to working on improving ball security, we're going to do everything that is necessary to become a better, and more disciplined, football team both on and off the field.
“Our plan involves bringing in the right student-athletes, mentoring and supporting them and leading them on a path to obtaining a degree,” Lucas said. “But, we will also make the tough personnel decisions with student-athletes who are not totally committed to the program.”
“I have a lot of confidence that Coach Lucas and his staff will make the necessary adjustments for us to have success both on and off the field and to become a championship-caliber program,” Bellairs said.
With a new year brings new hope for Southeastern fans, and with a new plan installed for 2011, fans should expect to be excited again on Saturdays in Strawberry Stadium this fall.
