Torrian Gray and Sterling Lucas Receive New Roles on South Carolina Coaching Staff

In a significant shake-up within the South Carolina football program, two key defensive assistants have been promoted to expanded roles on the coaching staff.

Sterling Lucas, the coach for outside linebackers/EDGEs, has added the title of defensive run game coordinator to his responsibilities. Meanwhile, Torrian Gray, the defensive backs coach, will now also serve as the defensive passing game coordinator while retaining his original duties.

These changes come after South Carolina finished with a strong 9-4 record, led by one of the best defenses in the program’s history. Although the promotions were officially made in January, they had remained under wraps until now.

Both Lucas and Gray have been instrumental in recruiting and developing some of the program’s top defensive talent. Each coach also received raises and contract extensions in December, further solidifying their roles in the Gamecocks’ future success.

Entering his fifth season with the team, Gray has been a fixture in Columbia, serving as defensive backs coach on all four of Shane Beamer‘s staffs. With 25 years of coaching experience—21 of those at the collegiate level and 4 in the NFL—Gray has proven to be an invaluable asset. He played a pivotal role in the recruitment and development of All-American Nick Emmanwori, a three-year starter who is expected to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. In addition, Gray has mentored several NFL Draft picks, including Cam Smith, Darius Rush, Marcellas Dial, and future prospect O’Donnell Fortune.

Before his tenure in Columbia, Gray coached cornerbacks at Florida for two seasons, marking his second stint with the Gators, and spent a decade coaching at his alma mater, Virginia Tech, among other stops.

Lucas is set to begin his fourth season with the Gamecocks. He joined the program in January 2022 after a year as an assistant defensive line coach with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. The Orangeburg, S.C. native and former N.C. State linebacker played a crucial role in recruiting five-star EDGE signee Dylan Stewart, who, alongside transfer addition Kyle Kennard, became one of the top pass-rush duos in the country under Lucas’ guidance. Kennard made history as the first Gamecock to win the prestigious Bronco Nagurski Award as the nation’s top defensive player, while Stewart was named On3’s Defensive Freshman of the Year.

In addition to Lucas and Gray‘s promotions, Mike Furrey, the wide receivers coach, was named the team’s passing game coordinator in December.

Staff continuity has been a priority for Beamer since he took over the program. The Gamecocks managed to retain all on-field coaches from last season’s staff, with the exception of offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, who accepted the head coach position at Appalachian State in December. Mike Shula was promoted to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Gamecocks.