Bishop O’Connell High School has named Kenneth (Kenny) Lucas as their new head football coach.
“Coach Lucas is a proven winner, and he is committed to building positive relationships with his players,” said Joe Wootten, O’Connell’s Athletic Director. “We feel he fits in perfectly with the mission driven approach of O’Connell’s athletic department.”
Most recently, Coach Lucas served as director of football operations, special teams coordinator and position coach at Howard University, after two seasons as assistant head football coach at Morgan State University. He also has previous WCAC high school coaching experience, having spent six seasons as head coach at Gonzaga College High School, where he led his teams to three consecutive WCAC championship games and five playoff appearances. During his tenure there, he was twice named WCAC Coach of the Year. His coaching background also includes serving as the head football coach at Annapolis Christian School and at Archbishop Carroll High School, as well as three years as an assistant coach at Georgetown University. He also spent five years as the assistant director of sports and coaches’ education at D.C. Special Olympics.
Coach Lucas was a three-sport athlete at Archbishop Carroll High School and member of the National Honor Society, before earning a student-athlete scholarship to the University of Delaware. He went on to earn multiple in-season and post-season accolades on the Blue Hens football team, culminating in being named an AP All-American. He holds a B.S. from the University of Delaware and later earned a Master’s Degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University.
Coach Lucas will also be serving on staff at Bishop O’Connell as Co-Director of Student Life. “I’m thrilled to welcome Mr. Lucas to the O’Connell community,” said Principal Carl Patton. “I’ve known him many years as a top coach in the area. His background and accomplishments in the Catholic community show that he is perfectly suited for our school mission and identity.”
“I am humbled and honored to have been offered the opportunity to lead Bishop O’Connell’s football program,” said Lucas. “I am excited to play a small part in the maturation and personal growth of student-athletes and others on campus, and am looking forward to joining the prestigious staff and faculty at O’Connell as they continue to build future leaders and productive, Christ-centered citizens through service to others.”
There will be a Meet and Greet with Coach Lucas for all interested football players and their parents on Monday, April 29 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the school library. 8th grade families are welcome to join us, too.