Lucot's reputation more than building SV linemen
Jim Lucot has spent years teaching Seneca Valley's offensive linemen the correct technique, but his tutelage extends far beyond the gridiron.
“I tried to help our guys become better players, but also better husbands, fathers, just good people. I'm more proud of what they've done off the field than on it.
“I hope I can do for my players half as much as what my high school coach (Bob Jacoby at Canevin) did for me.”
Lucot spent 12 of the past 20 seasons as SV's offensive line coach. That time included stints under head coaches Bob Ceh, Don Holl and current head coach Ron Butschle.
Lucot decided not to return this season.
“Ron is very flexible and makes it easy on his coaches, but my daughter (Tara) runs cross country,” said Lucot. “Last year, I was flying around here and there, trying to get to her meets and just wasn't able to make some of them.
“She's a senior now at North Catholic and I'm the president of the cross country boosters. It's tough to leave football behind. You always have that connection with the next class of players coming up. I sure hope to return, though.”
Lucot's knowledge of the trenches was extensive even before he began working with SV's players.
He played guard at both Canevin and Duquesne University before serving as an assistant under legendary coach Don Yanessa at Baldwin High School in the 1990s.
His first year with SV came in 2000 and he accepted a teaching position at the senior high two years later.
Two of his linemen with the Raiders went on to play and start in the NFL — Brandon Fusco (Class of 2006) and Don Barclay (2007).
“Donny also played basketball and baseball,” said Lucot. “I always looked for kids who played other sports. I remember seeing him at a youth camp, he was a very balanced athlete.
“Brandon became a man at (Slippery Rock University). I saw him a couple of years after he graduated from Seneca, he looked so much different.
“You have to be selfless to excel as an offensive lineman. Kids change a lot from ninth to 12th grade. Linemen aren't born, they're made and it takes time.”
But Lucot, who stays in contact with many of his former pupils, mentioned several others.
“Alex Hart is in the Army, is a member of the 101st Airborne,” he said. “David Mellon is in the Marines. Gary Flavion lives and works in England.
“Those are a few, but there are many more. A lot of amazing linemen, but also great people. I'm proud of all of them. A lot have stayed close with each other and it makes me happy when they remain friends.”
Barclay, who played in the NFL for six seasons with Green Bay and Detroit, remembers well the impact Lucot had on him.
“I think very highly of Jim,” he said. “When you think about someone who teaches you what it takes to be a good lineman, but also what it takes to be a good human being, he exemplifies that.
“I still talk to him pretty regularly.”
Barclay and Fusco afforded Lucot and Butschle a very special opportunity in 2012. Barclay's Packers played Fusco's Minnesota Vikings and both coaches attended the game at Lambeau Field.
“Brandon was already starting, but Donny wasn't,” Lucot said. “But he (Barclay) ended up getting in the game. It was an ideal situation to see both of them play.”
