| Date of birth: | September 3, 1974 |
| Place of birth: | Jackson, Mississippi |
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| Status: | Retired |
| CFL status: | Import |
| Position(s): | LB |
| College: | Mississippi State |
| High school: | Jackson |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1998–2000 2001 2003 |
B.C Lions (CFL) Memphis Maniax (XFL) Amsterdam Admirals (NFLE) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| CFL All-Star: | 1999 |
| CFL West All-Star: | 1999 |
| Awards: | 1999 Jackie Parker Trophy 1999 CFL Rookie of the Year |
| Honors: | 1994 & 1996 Academic All-SEC 1996 SEC Good Works Team 1996 1st Team All-SEC 1996 2nd Team All-America |
Paul Victor Lacoste (born September 3, 1974, Jackson, Mississippi) was a linebacker in the Southeastern Conference at Mississippi State University and in the Canadian Football League.
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Lacoste played his high school football at Jackson Prep and went on to enjoy an outstanding college career at Mississippi State University,[1] where he was an All-SEC[2] and All-America selection in 1996.
He signed with the B.C. Lions of the CFL in 1998, making his professional debut with the team in 1999. He finished the 1999 season second on the team with 78 tackles, earning him the 1999 CFL Rookie of the Year Award.[3][4] He had a late start to the 2000 season, after a National Football League tryout, and was later cut by British Columbia.
In 2000, he was signed by the NFL's Indianapolis Colts on January 25,[5] but was released on August 21 of the same year.[6] In 2001, Lacoste joined the XFL's Memphis Maniax,[4] where he made four tackles. In 2002, he signed with the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League on May 23,[7] but was cut the very next day. In 2003, the Colts allocated Lacoste to NFL Europe; he was to play for the Amsterdam Admirals but he was cut at the end of training camp.
Currently, he is the owner and head trainer of Next Level Sports,[8] a speed training specialist firm based in his hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. Lacoste has a Master of Science in Sports Administration from Mississippi State University. NLS alums in the NFL include Floyd Womack, Donald Lee, Mario Haggan, Justin Griffith, and Dennis and Alvin McKinley. Other athletes to come through NLS include: Omarr Conner (former Mississippi State WR), Chaz Ramsey (Auburn Freshman All-American OL), Rachel Givan (UNC soccer player) and David Traxler (Ole Miss TE).