MSU football head coach John L. Smith named former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive line coach Lucious Selmon as his defensive line coach Saturday.

Selmon, 53, replaces Steve Stripling, who left MSU on Feb. 18 to pursue a job at Michigan.

"We've hit a home run in getting Lucious Selmon to come to our program," Smith said. "He brings a wealth of knowledge to the table for us."

Smith, who had not met Selmon before the two met earlier in the week, said everyone he talked to about Selmon said, "if you can hire him, hire him."

Selmon has coached 27 years in both professional and collegiate football, but has been out of the game for the past two seasons, instead working at football camps around the country.

"I'm very excited about having an opportunity to work at Michigan State University," Selmon said.

"I feel very fortunate that Coach Smith looked at my resume and gave me a call."

Selmon said he has not had to recruit in 10 years, but he compared it to riding a bicycle, saying one never loses the ability.

"Michigan State has a mystique that carries not only in Michigan, but throughout the country as well," Selmon said.

Selmon said he is happy to be coming back to the collegiate ranks.

"It's gives you a great feeling when you know you are making a difference in young men's lives."

Selmon worked for the Jaguars from 1995 until 2002. Before that, he coached at his alma mater, Oklahoma, from 1976-94.