Michigan State University Athletics
Lucious Selmon Named Spartan Defensive Line Coach
3/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 5, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Lucious Selmon, a 27-year coaching veteran in the collegiate and professional ranks, has been named defensive line coach at Michigan State, Spartan third-year coach John L. Smith announced Saturday, March 5. Selmon replaces Steve Stripling, who resigned Feb. 18 to accept a similar position at Michigan.
The 53-year-old Selmon comes to Michigan State following eight years in the National Football League where he worked under Tom Coughlin at Jacksonville (1995-2002). During his tenure, the Jaguars won back-to-back AFC Central titles in 1998-99 and made four-straight playoff appearances from 1996-99. Selmon tutored the outside linebackers from 1995-2001 before assuming responsibility for the defensive line in 2002. Two of his pupils - outside linebacker Kevin Hardy and defensive end Tony Brackens - earned All-Pro honors.
In 2001, the Jaguars ranked among the AFC leaders in both rushing defense (sixth at 100.7 yards per game) and total defense (seventh at 316.9 ypg.).
In 1999, Jacksonville led the AFC in scoring defense, allowing just 13.6 points per game, while finishing second in rushing defense (90.3 ypg.) and third in total defense (270.9 ypg.).
In 1996, the Jaguars became the first second-year franchise in NFL history to qualify for the playoffs, posting road victories over Buffalo (30-27) and Denver (30-27) before losing at New England (20-6).
Selmon spent 19 years as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Oklahoma, where he helped the Sooners to a combined record of 169-51-3 (.765) from 1976-94, including 16 Top 20 finishes, 15 bowl appearances and nine Big Eight Conference titles. In 1985, the Sooners reeled off eight-straight wins, including a 25-10 victory over Penn State in the Orange Bowl, en route to an 11-1 record and the National Championship.
At Oklahoma, Selmon worked 13 seasons under Barry Switzer (1976-88) and six more under Gary Gibbs (1989-94). He coached the Sooners' defensive line from 1976-83 before taking over duties as outside linebackers and defensive ends coach from 1984-94. Selmon helped develop four players that went on to earn All-America honors: nose guard Reggie Kinlaw (1977-78), defensive tackle Rick Bryan (1982-83), defensive end Kevin Murphy (1985) and defensive end Darrell Reed (1987).
"Our entire coaching staff is excited about acquiring a coach of Lucious Selmon's caliber," Coach Smith said. "Lucious has experience as a player and coach, plus he's enjoyed great success at the collegiate and professional levels. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, especially in terms of defensive line play.
"With his addition to the coaching staff, Lucious opens the possibility of establishing some new recruiting areas in the South as well as solidifying some other areas.
"Our defensive linemen are really excited about having the opportunity to work with Lucious. He's ready to head to campus and hit the ground running."
"I'm really excited about having the opportunity to work at Michigan State," Selmon said. "I'm quite familiar with Michigan State and its great football tradition. Many of my childhood idols played in that historic 10-10 tie against Notre Dame in 1966.
"I can't wait to get back to coaching at the collegiate level. At his point in my coaching career, I wanted to pursue and opportunity that provides happiness. The college game produces the greatest joy for me because I really enjoy working with and developing young men. I'm going to put all of the energy that I have into helping give MSU an opportunity to win every game."
Selmon played two years as a defensive tackle for the Memphis Southmen (1974-75) in the World Football League before entering the coaching profession.
 All-America nose guard Lucious Selmon finished second in balloting for the Outland Trophy and seventh in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1973.  | |
The Eufaula, Okla., native won three letters as a nose guard at Oklahoma where he played for both Chuck Fairbanks (1971-72) and Switzer (1973). The two-time first-team All-Big Eight Conference selection helped the Sooners to a combined record of 32-2-1 (.929) during his playing career, including back-to-back appearances in the Sugar Bowl (1971: defeated Auburn, 40-22; 1972: defeated Penn State, 14-0). In 1973, Selmon earned consensus All-America honors while being named ABC/Chevrolet national Defensive Player of the Year and Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year. He finished second in balloting for the Outland Trophy and seventh in voting for the Heisman Trophy. Selmon, who also was named Big Eight Conference Athlete of the Year in 1973-74, finished his collegiate career with 255 tackles, including 31 for losses (144 yards).
Lucious is the oldest of three brothers that played at Oklahoma in the 1970s. His brothers - Dewey and Lee Roy - were named consensus All-Americans in 1975 while leading the Sooners (11-1) to the national title.
Selmon earned a bachelor's degree in special education from Oklahoma in 1974.
Married to the former Clarice Lawson, Selmon and his wife have three children: RaeShawn, Tiffanie and Lucious III.
