Davenport University Football

Sparky McEwen is in his ninth season at the helm of the Davenport football program. He was the 2022 GLIAC Coach of the Year and is a veteran coach who brings to

A.J. McEwen has been a part of the coaching staff at Davenport since its inception, even before the first kickoff in 2016. He has been in charge of the defense as the coordinator entering his eighth season in that direct role in 2025-26. McEwen has helped build one of the top defenses in Division II. McEwen joined the Davenport University football coaching staff following a professional football stint with the San Jose Sabercats in the Arena Football League. McEwen is a former Ferris State University standout where he was an All-GLIAC honorable mention two times, a Preseason All-American as a senior and was a Mr. Bulldog Award recipient. He also led the GLIAC in interceptions and pass breakups as a junior. McEwen came from a successful career at East Grand Rapids High School where he was a First Team All-State selection in both football and basketball. McEwen was also a member of the 2015 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society. McEwen graduated from Ferris State in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in sports management and coaching. He also holds a master's degree in management from Davenport.

Alex Pallone is a native of Rochester, Michigan and is a Prep Redzone Michigan Scout. He brings hundreds of hours of in-person scouting, with over 20,000 miles driven

Ameer Ismail begins his third year with the Davenport football coaching staff. He will be coaching the defensive line. He was the Defensive Line coach and Recruiting

Austin Shaban has accepted a volunteer coaching role at Davenport University and will work with the offensive side of the ball. Shaban has a full-time job at 1st

Bart Estola will work with special teams as the co-coordinator and also with defensive backs in 2024-25 for the third straight campaign. He previously worked with

Branden Bedes joined the Davenport football coaching staff in July 2024 and will look with the defensive players including linebackers and defensive backs. Bedes

Brian Gowins will be guiding the kickers for the Panthers and brings a great deal of experience to the position having reached the heights of professional football.

Devin Russell joined the Davenport football coaching staff in March 2022 as the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach. He had the title of assistant head

Herbans Paul joined the Davenport staff in March 2026 and will work with the defensive backs. Paul was a high school football coach at Gibbs in St. Petersburg, Florida

Jzavion McGowan joined the Davenport coaching staff in March 2026 and will work with the wide receivers. McGowan's most recent stop was Siena Heights University,

Lavelle Walker, an original member of the inaugural coaching staff, just concluded his ninth season with the Davenport University football program and was promoted

Nick Ruffing joined the Davenport football coaching staff in June 2024. He will be in charge of the recruiting efforts for the program as well as work with the team's

Pete Braniff joined the Davenport coaching staff in 2018 and will once again handle quality control (equipment) for the Panthers.

Sam Parker begins his first season as the offensive coordinator at Davenport. He spent the 2025 season as the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Mississippi