Don A. Lee (born ) is an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Belhaven College from 2006 to 2008, Olivet Nazarene University from 2009 to 2010, Concordia College Alabama from 2012 to 2013, Virginia University of Lynchburg from 2014 to 2016, and John Melvin University from 2023 to 2024. Lee was the second African American head coach in history of the NAIA's Mid-South Conference and is a recipient of a National Football League minority coach fellowship.National Football League "NFL minority coaching fellowship attracts 83 participants"
Playing career Lee played defensive end at Olivet Nazarene UniversityVictory Sports Network , Belhaven College Football from 1990 until 1993, where he also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in 1995.Columbia Daily Herald He is now married to Mary Lee
Coaching career Assistant coaching Lee's coaching career began with Momence High School in Momence, Illinois, where he served as outside linebackers coach for the school. His next move was Middle Georgia College as the defensive ends coach from 1995 to 1997. At Middle Georgia, the defense was ranked seventh in the NJCAA in total defense during the 1995 season.Victory Sports Network "Belhaven's Lee Pursues Through Tough Family Issues" Jason Dannelly, February 17, 2006
Lee entered the collegiate coaching ranks as defensive line coach at Southwest Baptist University from 1997 until 2001, and in 2002 moved to be the linebackers coach at the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky. His next move was to become an assistant coach at Belhaven, where he would later become the head coach.Mid-South Conference
Belhaven Lee was the head football coach at Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi from 2006 to 2008.Clarion Ledger "Blazers shoot for consistency" by Stephen K. Lee, August 24, 2008NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI DAILY JOURNAL "Majors target first win over Blazers" September 13, 2008 He was the fourth head football coach at the school. His record at Belhaven was 13–20.Belhaven College coaching records The team won the Mid-South Conference West Division title in the process.Fox 40 Now Sports "2008 Belhaven College Football Preview" By Kristina Pink August 24, 2008
After several years as an assistant coach,NCAA News Transactions Lee began his tenure at Belhaven by producing only the second winning season in the history of the school's football program in 2006.Natchez Democrat "Forrest White, Jonathan Gamberi become Blazers" By Matt Rutherford, February 13, 2007
Lee has modified the school's approach of bringing in junior college transfer students to play and is focusing on building through new recruits. He has accented that program by bolstering a junior varsity schedule which encourages incoming freshmen to choose Belhaven through the desire of more playing time.Victory Sports Network "Campus Report: Belhaven College-Jackson, MS" by Jason Dannelly, November 3, 2005 In 2007, his team Belhaven, produced a 5–6 overall record and averaged 33.7 points and allowed 37.3 per game.Tuscaloosa News "Revamped Tigers face Belhaven tonight" by Andrew Carroll August 30, 2008 His challenges in the 2008 season include overcoming being outscored in the fourth quarter of play "Belhaven's top priority: Be more consistent" By Stephen K. Lee, August 24, 2008 and overcoming a four win losing streak to begin the season.The Clarion Ledger "The End Zone" by Mike Christensen October 1, 2008
Olivet Nazarene In December 2008, Lee was hired to serve as head coach of his alma mater Olivet Nazarene in Bourbonnais, Illinois. He resigned after only two seasons in November 2010 and cited family and personal reasons for the resignation. During his two year stint as head coach, Lee led the Tigers to a record of 2–20. Prior to his resignation, Lee notoriously skipped football practice to rake leaves at his home.
Concordia College Alabama From Olivet Nazarene, Lee took an assistant position with Concordia College Alabama. In his first season, the Hornets finished the 2011 season with a 6–5 record, and won their last game against the Division II Stillman. Concordia opened their 2012 season with a 20–19 upset victory over Mississippi Valley State of the Division I FCS. Lee was elevated to head coach of the Hornets after the third game of the 2012 season.
Head coaching record
References
External links John Melvin profile Cumberland (TN) profile