DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman Co-Offensive Coordinator Chad Lucas has been named to the 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl coaching staff as Wide Receivers Coach, the NFLPA announced.   
 
"This is a great opportunity for me," Lucas said. "I'm around people that I played around and against. I get to learn some of the things they're showing young men."
 
Lucas, who has been with the Wildcats Football program since 2018, spent time as a professional receiver in the National Football League, NFL Europe, the Canadian Football League, the United Football League and Arena Football League.  As a member of the Amsterdam Admirals in 2006, Lucas led NFL Europe in touchdown receptions and was named first-team All-NFL Europe.
 
Lucas will serve as Wide Receivers Coach on the National Team, led by Tennessee State Head Coach Eddie George.
 
"Our guys here at B-CU want the opportunity to play at the next level, whether it's NFL, XFL, CFL," Lucas said. "Getting the knowledge of the day-today for these guys as they play in these bowl games is good for out kids so that we can educate them on what's expected so it won't just be a blur when they get that opportunity."
 
Opposite Lucas will be Wildcats star tight end Kemari Averett, who will wear number 86 for the American Team and head coach Jeff Fisher.
 
"We have Kemari here at the game this year – some of this is mind-blowing to him," Lucas said. "That's how in-depth it is here – you're interviewing for a job every minute that you're here. To have someone who just come from Bethune-Cookman, and to see what he's going through, I can educate our players on what's expected and what they need to do to get the opportunity to play in these games."

The 11th NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will be played on Saturday, January 28 at the historic Rose Bowl Stadium in California, bringing together top draft-eligible players from colleges and conferences across the country. The much-anticipated showcase will be broadcast on NFL Network with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.