Former NFL quarterback Ray Lucas is being honored by his former employer. The New York Jets have named Lucas the Week 3 winner of the New York Jets High School Coach of the Week.
Lucas, who played with the Jets from 1997 to 2000, is in his first year as the head football coach at Harrison High School in Harrison, New Jersey. The Harrison alum won his coaching debut September 17 with 19-6 win over Emerson.
Lucas grabbed the coaching whistle in August after the school’s head coach resigned about a month before the start of 2021 season.
After starring at Harrison High, Lucas attended Rutgers University where he started at quarterback for the Scarlet Knights. Lucas graduated from Rutgers in 1996 and signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent, where he played from 1997 – 2000.
During his time with the Jets, Lucas started in nine games, going 6-3 in his starts. Over his six-year NFL career, Lucas started in 15 games and went 8-7, throwing for over 3000 yards.
Lucas will receive a monetary award of $1,000 to benefit the school’s football program. Along with this award, Harrison High School receives an automatic bid to compete in the 2022 New York Jets 11-ON Tournament. In addition,
Coach Lucas will be invited to attend the New York Jets vs. New Orleans Saints game on Sunday, December 12th. He will receive luxury suite tickets and be honored on-field at MetLife Stadium. Harrison High School will receive 100 tickets to the Jets Play Football 2022 preseason home game.
In its 26th year, the Coach of the Week award is given to a coach in the Tri-State area who serves the best interests of the game through the teaching of sound football fundamentals, the motivation of young players to achieve and the promotion of youth football by way of dedication to their community, their school and their student-athletes.
2021 Jets High School Coach of the Week Winners
Week 2 – Lou Vircillo, Lacey Township (NJ)
Week 1 – Ralph Cinque, Clifton (NJ)
