Posts
After four incredibly successful years at Heidelberg, Head Men's and Women's Cross Country/Track & Field Coach Kevin Lucas has accepted the same head coaching positions at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland.
In his short time at Heidelberg, Lucas brought both programs back to national prominence, leading the men's cross country team to back-to-back team national championship appearances after a six year drought placing 20th (2006) and 27th (2007) respectfully.
Lucas also guided Heidelberg Track & Field to three individual championships via two-time ('06 & '07) Indoor National Long Jump Champion Greg Tyson and 2008 Indoor 55m Dash Champion Judy Bataille.
As the 2008 cross country season begins to rapidly approach we'll keep you updated with any developments concerning the position at Heidelberg.
Friday, July 11, 2008
The End of an Era at Heidelberg
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Oh wow, that's a big surprise to me and i think a pretty big blow to Heidelberg. What do the Heidelberg guys think of this and what will they do for their Head Coach?
wow what is it with the OAC? seems like every coach is leaving.
Hard to believe Lucas would leave the team after he spent the past couple of years building it up to where it is now. Does he realize how good this team will be in 2009 if it stays in tact? No doubt this squad would bury Salisbury. Interesting to say the least.
Could be a good opportunity for a young guy with a family and long-term priorities beyond a single team... I mean, we all saw Tiffin at conference last year, who can argue with someone who wants to move out of there and/or out of Ohio, period? (No offense to the Berg.) Best of luck to Coach Lucas at Salisbury and to Heidelberg continuing their ascent with someone new at the helm.
I can tell you this was far from an easy choice for Lucas. He wanted very badly to remain at Heidelberg but ultimately he has a second child on the way here in a couple weeks and without getting too specific, the poster above is right; he's a young guy with a family and made his decision with them in mind, like he should.
As far as who will take things over from here there are plenty of options and if Lucas has anything to do with it he'll play a major role in aiding that decision. He worked extremely hard over the past couple of years to get the program to where it is today and was really looking forward to what the next two years might hold (as a poster above alluded to).
One thing's for sure, whoever inherits this team will have hit the jackpot in terms of talent. All the tools are there and I'm confident the college will find the right person.
Unfortunately, until the administration at Heidelberg makes an effort to support track and cross country, this will happen. Here you have a guy coaching four sports AND teaching classes, yet he makes less then the NEW mens basketball coach. Lucas (and his staff) have built a premier program in this conference, and yet the administration chose not to step up to the plate. They were given an open to make a counter-offer I'm sure. It depends on how valuable that person is to you. I can guarantee you if the tables were turned and this was someone who built up the Heidelberg football program, they would be making BANK right now. I would guess Hallett makes over 65 grand a year coaching one team and not teaching. There are some great internal cantidates though. I woult hope they keep this internal because coach Rose and coach Roberts both could keep this program going the way it has been.
Word on the street (aka JJHuddle) is that Tiffin's coach will be taking over. Truth?
Really you can't make an issue of how good Berg's team is going to be when it comes to a coaching move like this. Lucas is a great coach, and if he was going to wait to leave Berg when the team was bad...well he'd be waiting forever! He loves those guys and knows he has left the program in a good situation. Ultimately it comes down to where a coach feels valued and respected and from what I hear, Salisbury is top notch in that area. Also, he is only coaching T&F there, so his fall will be freed up more for time with his family. Good luck to the coach in his new position!
Post a Comment