Assistant cornerbacks coach Jordan Lucas has been elevated to Penn State football’s cornerbacks coach in the aftermath of James Franklin’s firing and Terry Smith’s subsequent rise to interim head coach, Smith said at his press conference on Monday.

Lucas suited up for the Nittany Lions between cornerback and safety from 2012 to 2015. He recorded 164 total tackles, 11 tackles-for-loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, 25 pass breakups, and three interceptions in his time as a player in Happy Valley.

The New Rochelle, New York, native appeared in 40 consecutive games for the Nittany Lions before missing his first career game against San Diego State at the beginning of the 2015 campaign. He suffered a season-ending injury against Northwestern in November later that year, ending his time as a player for Penn State.

Lucas was one of six Penn State players to make his debut as a true freshman in 2012. He appeared in all 12 of Penn State’s games that season. He won all-Big Ten honorable mentions in his 2013 sophomore and 2014 junior campaigns.

The Miami Dolphins drafted Lucas in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He went on to play for the Kansas City Chiefs, with whom he won Super Bowl LIV, the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, and the Edmonton Elks of the CFL.

Lucas landed a job as a recruiting coordinator for the program ahead of the 2024 season. He now takes over Smith’s previous role. Smith said no other staff changes will be made immediately besides Lucas’ promotion.