HAMMOND – With the team's first practice of fall camp scheduled for Thursday morning, Southeastern Louisiana University football coach Mike Lucas announced Wednesday the addition of former Lion Duriel “Duke” Adams to the coaching staff.

The hiring of Adams, a former Hammond High product, is subject to approval from the University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors. Adams, who turns 28 on Thursday, will coach the Lions' cornerbacks and replaces Tra Boger, who left to pursue other opportunities in the New Orleans area.

“It's a bad time to lose a coach the week before camp starts and you always have guys in the back of your mind that you'd like to hire,” Lucas said. “I've always thought the world of Duke. He was a heck of a player for us at Southeastern and I'm really ecstatic that he wants to coach. We've had to cram a lot of things in a very short time and he's picked it up well and I know a lot of former (Southeastern) players will be excited to have one of their own on the coaching staff.”

Adams, a member of the Lions' 2003 squad that was re-instated after an 18-year hiatus, played in 35 games during his four-year career and intercepted 11 passes – the most of any player since 2003 and the tied for fourth overall in school history. He twice led the Lions in interceptions, picking off a team-high four passes in 2004 and five in 2005.

He earned second-team All-Southland Conference and second-team All-Louisiana honors in 2005 as the Lions completed their first season in the Southland Conference after two seasons as a Division I independent.

“I'm very happy to be back at Southeastern,” Adams said. “I was able to learn a lot under Coach Lucas, who was my defensive coordinator the final two years that I played, and it's a pleasure to be able to coach the defensive backs here.”

Southeastern will work out for the first time on Thursday in a 6 a.m. workout. The Lions open the season Sept. 3 against Tulane in a 2:30 p.m. contest in the Louisiana Superdome before hosting Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference newcomer Savannah State on Sept. 10 in Strawberry Stadium.

Season tickets are available by calling the Southeastern Athletic Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or on-line at www.LionSports.net.