Robert Lucas back in charge of team
FAMU Athletic Director Nelson Townsend announced the appointment of Robert Lucas as the school's head baseball coach, late yesterday. Lucas replaces Joe Durant, who had been the team's head coach since 1991.
Townsend said Durant, 58, had been reassigned to an administrative position within the athletic department.
Robert Lucas came back to Florida A&M last year to help his former assistant coach Joe Durant bring the university's baseball program back to the dominance it enjoyed in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Now it is Lucas alone who will be charged with that task.
"Coach (Robert) Lucas enjoyed a great run of success when he served here previously and we are confident that he can rekindle that measure of success again," said Townsend.
Lucas, 63, takes over FAMU's baseball program for a second time, previously serving as head coach from 1986-1990.
During Lucas' first stint as head coach, the Rattlers won three MEAC titles (1987, 1988, 1990) in four years and compiled an overall record of 96-90-1.
Durant led the Rattlers to three more MEAC titles (1991, 1992, 1994) during the next four years after taking over for Lucas.
Durant also led the Rattlers to the MEAC Championship game an additional eight times during his 17-year head coaching career at FAMU.
The Rattlers have not won an MEAC title in 12 seasons, however, and failed to qualify for the MEAC Tournament in 2005.
Last season, FAMU finished with a 16-36 overall record. The Rattlers did finish the regular season second place in the MEAC, but failed to win a game in the conference tournament. Durant's overall record as FAMU's head coach was 363-486.
Durant was the first African-American to be named to the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee, serving as a committee member from 1999-2002.
Lucas left FAMU the first time to take a position within the Atlanta Braves organization where his brother Bill Lucas served as the first African-American general manager in the Major League Baseball.
Lucas served as a minority College scout for the Braves from 1990-2006.
you mean to tell me that of all of the baseball coaches out there in the world in collegiate sports, we must, again, rehash and rehire old FAMUans? The more things change, the more they remain the same. If I were Durant, I'd pack up my sh*t and head up outta that mfer.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of your crude expressions (1:13 AM), your point is duly noted. Likewise, I have the same concerns that we replace an old coach with an older ball coach that better days are long behind him. What about hiring a young fresh new face, an accomplished D-II or NAIA head coach that may better relate to today's young talented players and that has successfully built a championship program?
ReplyDeleteI do not see this as much of a succession plan, especially with a 63 year ole ball coach. Are we going down the same path with baseball that FAMU did with the legendary former dean of SBI, Sybil Mobley?
Hopefully, FAMU will hire a lower division baseball head coach to serve as second in command--to develop as the future head coach. I do not see Coach Lucas as the solution to a dying program. A MEAC coach with a 96-90-1 record does not make me leap for joy.
What has Nelson Townsend accomplished since he has been named FAMU athletic director? I just can’t put my finger on one major accomplishment under his leadership other than we have not be placed on further probation. (beepbeep)
You people that are criticizing the hiring of Coach Bob Lucas or either misinformed or just plain ignorant. This man is one of the best baseball coaches in America. He was very successful during his coaching years at FAMU and many of his players were drafted. He also has connections with the Braves and other MLB baseball organizations that will surely benefit our baseball program and our players. I applaud Mr. Townsend for the decision to hire Coach Lucas and look forward to championship teams and high quality players. Franky
ReplyDeletely, I think Coach Durant should have been fired long time ago. Our baseball program has been a dismal failure under his leadership. In baseball, age 63 is young.
Welcome Back Coach Luke!!
Well, Nelson lost a bunch of tickets and blamed the janitors.
ReplyDeleteNelson, Carter, Gillespie, and Lucas need to pack their bags. Bring back Billy Joe for both AD and Coach.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back home Coach Lucas. We are extremely confident in your ability and KNOWLEDGE of the game. We are confident that you will revive our baseball program and produce top baseball talent. My son is a high school All American pitcher. He told me this morning that FAMU is on his list of 3 now because of your selection as head coach (Arizona State & Miami are the other 2). PLAY BALL!!
ReplyDeleteNow could someone Please talk to Roland Gaines or SGA and have them to Shake Up OSUA...Please, please, please... before its too late! Ms. Inge is running things....And You Already Know She's A Hot Mess!
ReplyDelete8:47, I feel you. Billy Joe loved FAMU and wanted to stay there. But certain folk wanted him gone and orchestrated his exit, only for him to be "exonerated" later. He was a winning coach, and he had class and grace, something that too many administrators at FAMU lack. Even when he was ceremoniously dumped by the adminstration, he never said a single defamatory thing about the university, unlike Castell Bryant, who, after making over nearly $700,000 during 28 months, didn't have enough class and sophistication to go out with some measure of quiet dignity.
ReplyDelete