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Lucious Selmon
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Lucious Selmon
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Lucious Selmon (born March 15, 1951) is a collegiate and professional American football nose guard, and football coach. He began his coaching career in 1976 at his alma mater, the University of Oklahoma, and has also coached on professional teams. From 1995 to 2002, he was a coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and has also coached privately.

Key Information

Born in Eufaula, Oklahoma, he had younger brothers Dewey Selmon and Lee Roy Selmon. In one period, all three were playing as defensive linemen at University of Oklahoma. Each of them became professional football players, with varying length of careers.

Early life

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He was one of nine children born to Lucious and Jessie Selmon, and was raised on a farm near Eufaula, Oklahoma. He started playing football at Eufaula High School, from where he entered University of Oklahoma in 1970.

Collegiate career

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Selmon played nose guard for the Oklahoma Sooners for coaches Chuck Fairbanks and Barry Switzer. He was a unanimous All-American in 1973, and was named Chevrolet/ABC National Defensive Player of the Year, Big 8 Conference Athlete of the Year, and Big 8 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He finished second in balloting for the Outland Trophy and seventh in voting for the Heisman Trophy.[1] He made 255 tackles, including 31 for losses (144 yards), during his career. Selmon graduated from Oklahoma with a degree in special education in 1974.

Selmon's younger brothers, Dewey and Lee Roy, joined him at the University of Oklahoma and in one period, all three played as defensive linemen. Dewey and Lee Roy were both named consensus All-Americans in 1975, and both were drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1976 NFL draft. Lee Roy won the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award, and in 1995 he was the Sooners' first inductee in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Although more than 40 years has passed since the Selmons played for Oklahoma, Oklahoma fans still say (referring to the Selmon brothers' parents), "God bless Mr. and Mrs. Selmon" or "Thank you, Mrs. Selmon."[2][3]

Professional and coaching career

[edit]

Selmon was drafted in the 16th round of the 1974 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He played two years as a defensive tackle for the Memphis Southmen (1974–75) in the World Football League. He returned to Oklahoma as an assistant coach at Switzer's invitation.

At Oklahoma, Selmon worked 13 seasons under Barry Switzer (1976–88) and six more under Gary Gibbs (1989–94). He coached the Sooner defensive line from 1976 to 1983. From 1984 to 1994, he took over duties as outside linebackers and defensive ends coach. Selmon helped develop four players who later earned All-America honors: nose guard Reggie Kinlaw, Rick Bryan, Kevin Murphy and defensive end Darrell Reed. He participated in the NFL's Minority Coaching Fellowship Program from 1980 to 1989, and worked with the Denver Broncos' linebackers and defensive ends.

Selmon went to work as an assistant coach for Tom Coughlin and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995. Selmon tutored the outside linebackers from 1995 to 2001 before taking over the defensive line in 2002. Two Jaguars, outside linebacker Kevin Hardy and defensive end Tony Brackens, earned 'All-Pro' honors.

In 2005, after working in football camps around the United States, Selmon joined the staff of the Michigan State Spartans as defensive line coach.[4] He left Michigan State after one season for the Oakland Raiders.[5] He worked as a private consultant to aspiring professional football players for two years.

In 2007 Selmon applied for the head coaching position at the University of Central Oklahoma,[6] but he was not hired. Selmon resides with his family in Jacksonville.[7]

References

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Lucious Selmon

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Lucious Selmon (born March 15, 1951) is a former player and coach, renowned for his standout collegiate career as a nose guard for the and his extensive tenure as an assistant coach at and in the (NFL). Born in , and raised on a family farm in Eufaula as one of nine children of Lucious and Jessie Selmon, he graduated from Eufaula High School in 1969 before enrolling at . Alongside his brothers Dewey and Lee Roy—part of the celebrated "Selmon Brothers" who anchored the ' defensive line—Selmon played from 1971 to 1973, starting 31 of 35 games and recording 255 tackles and 31 tackles for loss, tying the school record for a defensive lineman. In 1973, his senior year, he earned unanimous first-team All-American honors, Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year, and Chevrolet/ABC Defensive Player of the Year accolades, while finishing seventh in voting; that season, he captained the team to a 10-0-1 record and a Big Eight title. Over his college career, Selmon contributed to a 32-2-1 record, two conference championships (1972, 1973), and two wins (1972 and 1973 bowls). Selected in the 16th round (399th overall) of the by the , Selmon instead joined the rival , playing for the over two seasons (1974–1975). Transitioning to in 1976, he returned to as an assistant for 19 years (1976–1994), helping secure nine Big Eight titles and the 1985 national championship under head coaches including . Selmon entered the in 1995 with the expansion as outside linebackers coach, a role he held through 2001, before shifting to defensive line coach in 2002; during his Jaguars tenure, the team achieved four consecutive playoff appearances (1996–1999), including berths in 1999. After leaving Jacksonville, he briefly served as defensive line coach at in 2005, marking the end of his professional career. In October 2025, following 's entry into the , Selmon was named to the SEC Football Legends Class, recognizing his enduring impact on the sport.

Early life and education

Family background

Lucious Selmon was born on March 15, 1951, in , the eldest of nine children in the Selmon . He was raised on a 40-acre near , by his parents, Lucious Selmon Sr., a and field hand who worked the land with mules, and Jessie Selmon, a homemaker who tended the family garden and preserved food through . The family's rural life demanded early responsibility, with children like Lucious beginning fieldwork at age five or six and sharing a single among them, as electricity did not reach the home until 1954. The Selmon household fostered a hardworking and religious environment, where played a central role in overcoming challenges, such as Lucious Sr.'s bouts of high that required hospitalization. Parents instilled discipline by prioritizing education over farm duties, enforcing a minimum B grade average for all children and restricting weekday television to encourage focus on schoolwork and chores. This foundation of perseverance and moral guidance, rooted in the family's and communal support, shaped the siblings' character amid the physical demands of farm life. Selmon's younger brothers, Dewey (born November 19, 1953) and (born October 20, 1954), were pivotal influences, cultivating a competitive atmosphere centered on athletics within the household. excelled as a defensive lineman at the from 1972 to 1975, earning consensus All-American honors in 1975 as part of back-to-back teams, before enjoying a seven-year NFL career primarily with the . , likewise a standout at Oklahoma from 1972 to 1975, achieved three-time All-American status (1973–1975) and later became the first overall NFL draft pick in 1976, starring for the Buccaneers and earning induction into the in 1995. The brothers' mutual encouragement in sports and shared farm labors reinforced family bonds and a drive for excellence that permeated their upbringing.

High school career

Lucious Selmon attended Eufaula High School in , graduating in 1969 after starting his studies around 1965. His high school coach, Paul Bell, first coaxed him into running track during , which helped build his athletic foundation before transitioning him to football, a sport Selmon had never played prior to high school. Bell spotted Selmon's physical potential on the schoolyard, noting his larger stature compared to peers, and convinced him to try out despite his initial reluctance and lack of experience with pads. As a , Selmon quickly emerged as a standout on the Eufaula Ironheads football team, playing defensive line and earning recognition as one of the top players in for his tenacity and physical presence, which measured around 235 pounds and under 6 feet tall. Although track remained part of his athletic involvement to enhance overall conditioning, football became his primary focus, motivated in part by his family's emerging tradition in the sport. By graduation, Selmon's personal performance and the Selmon family's athletic reputation had drawn interest from colleges, setting the stage for his next chapter in football.

Collegiate career

Lucious Selmon enrolled at the in 1970 and joined the football team as a nose guard, playing from 1971 to 1973. During his sophomore and junior seasons, he played under head coach , contributing to strong defensive performances in an era defined by the ' Wishbone offense. In 1973, his senior year under new head coach , Selmon served as team captain and anchored the defensive line alongside his brothers Dewey and Lee Roy, all three starting together for the first time. This familial synergy helped form one of the most formidable front lines in program history, supporting a defense that limited opponents effectively throughout the season. Over his four-year career, Selmon started 31 of 35 games and recorded 255 total tackles, tying for the most by a defensive lineman in Oklahoma history; he also tallied 31 tackles for loss, again tying the program record for his position. His efforts were instrumental in the Sooners' 32-2-1 overall record during his playing years, including Big Eight Conference championships in 1972 and 1973, as well as victories in the Sugar Bowl following the 1971 and 1972 seasons. In 1973, Selmon's standout performance earned him unanimous first-team All-American honors, Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year, and Chevrolet/ABC Defensive Player of the Year accolades; he finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting, a rare feat for a defensive player. He also received second-team All-America recognition in 1972 and first-team All-Big Eight honors in both 1972 and 1973. Beyond athletics, Selmon balanced his commitments with academics, earning a in from in 1974. His high school experience at Eufaula had prepared him for the physical demands of , where he quickly adapted to the higher level of competition.

Professional playing career

World Football League

Lucious Selmon, a consensus All-American nose guard at the in 1973, signed with the of the (WFL) in 1974 after being selected by the team in the sixth round of the league's inaugural draft. This decision came despite his selection by the in the 16th round of the , as the upstart WFL aggressively pursued top college talent with competitive contracts to challenge the established . Selmon played for the Southmen in the 1974 season, contributing on the defensive line during a period when the WFL featured high-profile players defecting from the , such as and . The Southmen, originally the Toronto Northmen before relocating to Memphis, finished with a 17–3 record in 1974 amid the league's financial strains. Selmon retired from professional football on June 30, 1975, prior to the start of the WFL's 1975 season. The WFL collapsed in late 1975 due to ongoing financial difficulties, including unpaid salaries and bankruptcy filings by several teams. Selmon returned to Oklahoma following the league's demise, transitioning to a coaching role at his alma mater in 1976.

Draft history

Following his standout senior season at the in 1973, where he earned seventh-place voting as a defensive lineman, Selmon became eligible for the professional drafts. Selmon was selected in the 16th round, 399th overall, of the by the , a relatively low selection in an era when the NFL draft extended to 17 rounds and encompassed 442 total picks, often reflecting teams' awareness of competing league interests among prospects. In the concurrent 1974 (WFL) Draft, however, he was chosen much higher, in the 6th round, 69th overall, by the , underscoring the upstart league's strategy of aggressively pursuing college talent to challenge the established . The 1974 drafts unfolded amid intense rivalry between the and the newly formed WFL, a short-lived competitor that operated only from 1974 to 1975 and sought to lure players through lucrative contracts and roster spots amid ongoing NFL labor tensions. Selmon ultimately signed with the , bypassing an opportunity with the Patriots, and never appeared in a regular-season game.

Coaching career

University of Oklahoma

Lucious Selmon joined the University of Oklahoma coaching staff in 1976 as defensive line coach under head coach , immediately following his brief playing stint in the . He held this position through the 1983 season, working alongside Switzer for 13 years as the built a reputation for dominant defenses. In 1984, Selmon was promoted to coach the outside linebackers and defensive ends, a role he maintained until resigning after the 1994 season amid broader program transitions under Gary Gibbs. During this period, he contributed to six seasons under Gibbs (1989–1994) and helped shape the ' defensive strategies during multiple championships. Over his 19-year tenure from 1976 to 1994, Selmon played a key role in the Sooners' overall success, including a combined record of 169–51–3, nine Big Eight titles, and the 1985 national championship. The team qualified for 15 bowl games during his time on staff, often relying on stout defensive performances to secure victories in high-stakes matchups. His prior experience as an All-American defensive lineman at Oklahoma directly informed his coaching approach, emphasizing physicality and technique on the line.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Lucious Selmon joined the in 1995 as the outside linebackers coach under head coach , marking his entry into coaching after a successful tenure at the . He held this position through the 2001 season, during which he played a key role in developing prominent players, including outside linebacker Kevin Hardy, who earned First-team honors in 1999, and defensive end Tony Brackens, also an under his guidance. Selmon's work contributed to the Jaguars' defensive success, as the team advanced to the in four consecutive seasons from 1996 to 1999, culminating in an appearance in the in 1999. During his time coaching the outside linebackers, the Jaguars' defense ranked highly in production, exemplified by their 43 sacks (9th in the ) in 2001. In 2002, Selmon transitioned to defensive line coach, a role announced as part of a staff realignment in January of that year. In this capacity, he worked with young defensive linemen such as , selected in the first round of the , and John Henderson, the ninth overall pick in 2002, helping to build the front that anchored the team's defense during its competitive years. Selmon's emphasis on fundamentals and discipline, drawn from his own background as a standout nose guard, supported the unit's effectiveness in generating pressure. Selmon departed the Jaguars following the 2002 season amid changes, concluding an eight-year stint with the franchise.

Michigan State and later roles

In 2005, Selmon joined the as defensive line coach under head coach , marking his return to the collegiate ranks after his tenure. His hiring was influenced by his extensive experience, including eight seasons with the . Selmon coached the defensive line for one season, during which the Spartans finished with a 5-6 overall record and 2-6 in the . Following his departure from Michigan State after the 2005 season, Selmon worked as a private defensive consultant for various high school and college programs. In 2007, Selmon applied for the head coaching position at the but was not selected. He retired from full-time coaching shortly thereafter, around 2008. Selmon, who earned a in from the in 1974, later contributed to youth football development through his consulting work with high school programs.

Personal life and legacy

Family

Lucious Selmon has been married to Clarice Lawson since the 1970s, and the couple has three children: sons RaeShawn and Lucious III (known as Trey), and daughter Tiffanie. The family has resided in , since the mid-1990s, coinciding with Selmon's tenure as a coach for the from 1995 to 2002. Selmon's children have pursued paths in and , reflecting the family's emphasis on and sports. His son Lucious III has followed in his father's footsteps by taking on roles at the high school level, including positions in at Claremore High School and in at schools such as Fayetteville and Har-Ber. Selmon maintains close relationships with his extended family, particularly his brothers Dewey and Lee Roy, who along with him formed a prominent trio in Oklahoma football history. Family gatherings often center on their shared Oklahoma heritage, with events like reunions in Oklahoma City reinforcing bonds rooted in their Eufaula upbringing. Rooted in a farming background, Selmon shares his family's agricultural heritage, having grown up on a farm near Eufaula and later purchasing his own 40-acre property in the area. He was raised in a church-going household, and the Selmons continue to value faith in their family life. Selmon earned a in from the in 1974, which informs his personal commitment to educational causes.

Honors and awards

During his collegiate career at the , Lucious Selmon earned unanimous All-American honors as a nose guard in 1973. He was also recognized as the and the Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year that same season. Additionally, Selmon received the Chevrolet/ABC National Defensive Player of the Year award in 1973 for his dominant performance on the defensive line. Selmon contributed to some of the most formidable defenses in history from 1971 to 1973, helping the team achieve a combined record of 32-2-1 and secure championships in 1972 and 1973. In recognition of his overall impact on sports, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. On October 22, 2025, Selmon was named to the Southeastern Conference's 2025 Football Legends Class, honoring his contributions during the Big Eight era and his role in bridging to the SEC's expansion with Oklahoma's membership. While Selmon did not receive individual coaching awards, he was part of the University of Oklahoma's staff during their 1985 season, serving as outside linebackers and defensive ends coach. Later, as an assistant coach for the from 1995 to 2002, he helped develop defenses that led the team to four consecutive playoff appearances, including an run in 1999.

Post-coaching activities

After retiring from full-time coaching in 2005, Lucious Selmon served as a and consultant for various football programs as of 2011, drawing on his extensive experience to share insights on defensive techniques and life lessons derived from his playing and coaching career. In , he engaged in community work, including youth mentoring programs and initiatives related to , leveraging his bachelor's degree in special education from the . Selmon has continued to follow the careers of former University of Oklahoma players and coaches in the NFL, making occasional media appearances to discuss Sooners football history as of 2011. As of 2025, Selmon lives quietly in , spending time with family and reflecting on his career, particularly in light of his selection to the 2025 SEC Legends Class.

References

  1. https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/s/selm00600.html
  2. https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=SE009
  3. https://www.mcintoshdemocrat.com/2023/08/24/lucious-selmon-eufaula-hero/
  4. https://soonersports.com/news/2025/10/22/football-lucious-selmon-named-to-2025-sec-legends-class
  5. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/lucious-selmon-1.html
  6. https://msuspartans.com/news/2005/3/5/Lucious_Selmon_Named_Spartan_Defensive_Line_Coach
  7. https://pro-football-history.com/coach/11265/lucious-selmon-bio
  8. https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2022/nov/06/rv-spotlight-lucious-selmon-embraces-his-familys/
  9. https://deadspin.com/how-the-brothers-selmon-became-the-most-admired-family-1820610650
  10. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2000/06/08/selmon-mother-dies-she-is-remembered-as-great-woman/62194911007
  11. https://footballfoundation.org/honors/hall-of-fame/dewey-selmon/2539
  12. https://www.eufaulaindianjournal.com/2023/08/23/lucious-selmon-eufaula-hero/
  13. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2011/08/20/collected-wisdom-lucious-selmon-former-ou-nose-guard/61141289007/
  14. http://www.thestacksreader.com/the-brotherhood-of-selmon/
  15. https://deadspin.com/how-the-brothers-selmon-became-the-most-admired-family-1820610650/
  16. https://big12sports.com/news/2008/11/29/3624285.aspx
  17. http://wfl.charlottehornetswfl.com/pages_1974/files/nfl_report.pdf
  18. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-31-sp-40651-story.html
  19. https://www.profootballarchives.com/1974wflmem.html
  20. http://wfl.charlottehornetswfl.com/season_book_1975/wfl_transactions.php
  21. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58167/brief-influential-life-and-sudden-death-world-football-league
  22. https://funwhileitlasted.net/world-football-league-1974-1975/
  23. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/oklahoma/bowls.html
  24. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/01/17/Jaguars-add-Selmon-to-staff/4705790318800/
  25. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1995/01/18/ous-selmon-takes-job-with-jaguars/62402757007/
  26. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1997/01/12/selmons-move-to-the-pros-was-wise/62327255007/
  27. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/jax/2001.htm
  28. https://www.jaguars.com/news/defensive-staff-realigned-5838314
  29. https://library.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/publications/football/yearbooks/FJACJMG-2002-jacksonville-jaguars-media-guide.pdf
  30. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/michigan-state/2005-schedule.html
  31. https://www.newson6.com/story/5e367d262f69d76f6209040f/former-sooner-lucious-selmon-applies-at-uco
  32. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2007/11/27/lucious-selmon-applies-at-uco/61667653007/
  33. https://www.homes.com/property/2355-foxhaven-dr-e-jacksonville-fl/7ghbntyk1r2wz/
  34. https://www.city-data.com/duval-county/W/White-Heron-Place-6.html
  35. https://www.claremoreprogress.com/sports/what-its-like-growing-up-with-oklahoma-royalty/article_3bfd8f24-5052-11e7-bffe-7f77c07d24cb.html
  36. https://www.fox16.com/fearless-friday/fearless-friday-content/new-har-ber-head-grid-coach-danenhauer-using-lessons-learned-from-legends/
  37. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/may/14/patton-tells-team-he-accepts-blame-2016/
  38. https://www.facebook.com/selmonsindc2015/
  39. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2022/11/27/selmons-smiths-greatest-brother-acts-ever-in-their-respective-sports/69594474007/
  40. https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-honors-defensive-stars-selmon-brothers-statue/41371586
  41. https://stormininnorman.com/oklahoma-sooners-get-second-inductee-to-sec-football-legends-lucious-selmon
  42. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/college/sooners/2011/01/13/oklahoma-great-lucious-selmon-to-be-inducted-into-the-oklahoma-sports-hall-of-fame/61189406007/
  43. https://www.facebook.com/ScottPfeilNewsOn6/photos/lucious-selmon-the-oldest-of-the-three-famed-selmon-brothers-who-starred-at-okla/122220999974104429/
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