Published: August 12, 2009 08:43 pm      

Lucas installed as new Jumpers coach

Long-time assistant inherits interim title after sudden departure of Jay Cobb

Somerset High School’s football program was looking for a new coach that possessed one perfect quality.

That quality was a coach that wanted to be there.

Robbie Lucas wants to be there.

With the hiring of coach Lucas yesterday, the Briar Jumpers got the coach with the qualities they desired.

On Wednesday afternoon, Lucas was introduced to the Briar Jumper players as the new Interim Head Coach at Somerset for the upcoming 2009 football season.

Lucas, who has served as a long-time assistant coach at Somerset High School, left the Briar Jumpers after the 2001 season to become the head football coach at Lincoln County High School.

Lucas served as the Patriots head coach for the 2002 and ‘03 seasons, where he amassed a record of 4 wins and 16 losses.

Lucas went 2-8 in each of those two seasons at Lincoln County, before coming back to serve as an assistant football coach again at Somerset, beginning with the 2004 campaign.

Thanks to the events that have transpired at Somerset over the past few days, coach Lucas stated last night that’s he certainly glad to have another opportunity, and he’s excited and ready for a second stint as a head football coach.

“I’m unproven as a head coach and I know that, but I’m a little older and a little wiser than I was during my tenure at Lincoln County,” Lucas stated.

“Somerset High School is a great program and it has a great tradition, and I just want to keep it going,” Lucas said. “Any coach that’s worth his salt wants to be a head coach, and I’m very grateful for this opportunity. However, I will say that anything we accomplish this season will be a credit to the kids and to coach (Jay) Cobb. He did an outstanding job in his 11 or 12 years here maintaining and building the tradition at Somerset High School, and I just want to keep it going.”

Earlier yesterday afternoon, SHS athletic director Bob Tucker gave some insight on the thought process behind the hiring of Robbie Lucas — Somerset’s fifth head coach in nearly 40 years.

“Several hours of thought and discussion have taken place in an attempt to provide the best possible environment for the student-athletes involved in the Briar Jumper football program,” stated Tucker. “It is with consensus that we maintain continuity and consistency within our football program as much as possible as we embark upon the upcoming season.”

“We have made the decision to appoint Mr. Robbie Lucas as the Interim Head Coach for the 2009 football season,” Tucker continued. “We feel in the present situation and at the present time, coach Lucas can lead an outstanding group of young men into this season with the assistance of a sound support staff.”

Two years ago when Jay Cobb resigned as Somerset’s head coach to accept a similar position at Henderson County High School, before changing his mind a few days later, the Somerset football players at that time presented a petition to the Somerset administration stating they wanted Robbie Lucas as their new head coach.

Lucas has always been popular with the Somerset players, and Tucker says that’s just another reason why he was the perfect fit for the opening that presented itself earlier this week with Cobb’s abrupt and untimely resignation as Somerset’s head football coach.

“I feel like Robbie is a great hire for us, and the kids are 100 percent behind him,” stated Tucker. “The parents are 100 percent behind him, and I feel very good about the hiring of coach Lucas. He’s been half of these kids head coach anyway, being defensive coordinator in the past, so I don’t really think there’s going to be that many problems about this transition taking place.”

Tucker also stated that no real timeline has been put in place as of yet for hiring a permanent replacement as Somerset’s football coach. Tucker says the matter will be addressed when the 2009 football season has concluded.

“Upon completion of the 2009 football season, it is our intent to begin the search process for the next leader of the Somerset High School Football program, at which time the timeline for hiring will be released,” Tucker stated.

The Briar Jumpers open the 2009 regular season next Friday night, as Somerset will square off against the Knox Central Panthers in the Pioneer Bowl.