Grambling State fires volleyball coach

Grambling State University has fired head volleyball coach Chelsey Lucas roughly three months after reports surfaced that she cut the entire roster.

President Rick Gallot and Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Trayvean Scott announced the move in an Athletics Department press release Tuesday afternoon.

“It is the responsibility of this institution to make sure that student-athletes are afforded opportunities in a manner compliant with all regulatory organizations," Gallot said. "That applies to athletics as much as it does to academics." 

The decision was made as a result of an internal investigation within the volleyball program, according to the release. The university is withholding further comment until the investigation is concluded.

A GSU alumna, Lucas arrived as the new coach in February following a three-year stint at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Reports circulated in early April that she released all 19 players from the team.

"The success of student-athletes and their ability to matriculate at Grambling State University is the top priority," Scott said. "As we move forward in this transition and commence a national search for the next coach, all volleyball student-athletes who received scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year will keep their scholarships and remain on the team. Walk-ons will also continue to hold their roster spot." 

The national search will begin this week.