Highlights
- Made the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2022
- Ranked ninth in pass defense (155.1) in NCAA Division II in 2022 and eighth (143.5) in 2021
- Consecutive years ranked first in pass defense in GLIAC (2021, 2022)
- 2022 season - top 10 in turnovers gained nationally (13 INT's, 11 FR's)
- Coached three All-Americans - Cam Grodhaus in 2024 - Shaq Floyd in 2022 - Brian Williams in 2018
- Coached Brian Williams who was GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year in 2018
- Brian Williams (Vikings) and Derrick Calloway (Buccaneers) invited to mini-camp in 2018
- Jeremiah Jackson-Trotter signed with the CFL's Edmonton Elks in 2024
- All-GLIAC defensive selections since 2017 - 10 First Team and 12 Second Team
- Led the GLIAC in interceptions - Brian Williams (2018)
- Led the GLIAC in tackles - Cam Grodhaus (2024) and Jalen Robinson (2021)
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. For five years prior to 2024, the DU defense was ranked in the top four in total yards allowed per game in the GLIAC each season.
In 2024, the DU defense ranked fifth in the GLIAC allowing 330.7 yards per game. They were ranked fourth in allowing 4.8 yards per play. The defense ranked third in the GLIAC allowing 33.6 percent on third downs. In addition, they ranked second in red zone defense allowing a score on 69 percent inside the 20-yard line. The team ranked third in sacks with 29 for a loss of 210 yards. The defense was able to hold their opponents to 20 points or less in five of their 11 games. Cam Grodhaus was a beast in the secondary and was named Second Team All-American by the AFCA. Earning First Team All-GLIAC honors on defense were Geemontae Peck (defensive line) and Grodhaus (defensive back). Christian Jones was named Second Team All-GLIAC.
During the 2023 season, the Panthers ranked in the top three in the GLIAC in third-down conversion defense (31.5), fourth-down conversion defense (46.7), passing yards allowed (187.2), red zone defense (69.4), rushing defense (97.1), scoring defense (19.9), and pass efficiency defense (101.89). They led the conference in red zone defense, pass efficiency defense, team tackles for loss per game (8.3), and first downs allowed (166). The team posted their first shutout since joining NCAA Division II with a 28-0 win at Michigan Tech on Sept. 30. DU also went a three-game span in which they gave up just 15 points in wins over MTU, Northern Michigan, and Wayne State. Earning GLIAC postseason awards was linebacker Julius Wilkerson (1st team), Alaric Wooten (1st team), Austin Alward (2nd team), Tyee Martin (2nd team), Josh Fusco (honorable mention), Jeremiah Jackson-Trotter (honorable mention), Christian Jones (honorable mention), and Tierre Turner (honorable mention).
In 2022, the passing defense ranked ninth in Division II and led the GLIAC allowing just 155.1 yards per game. In addition, the defense ranked 10th in Division II in fumble recoveries with 13 and ranked 13th with 26 takeaways. Shaq Floyd earned First Team All-GLIAC, Second Team All-Region, and Honorable Mention All-America. Malik Barrow, Elysse Mbem-Bosse, and Payton Mitchell were all named Second Team All-GLIAC on defense.
In 2021, the defense forced 15 turnovers including 10 forced fumbles to rank in the top 30 in Division II. They also ranked eighth in the country in passing yards allowed per game (143.5). The squad ranked 43rd out of 163 Division II schools allowing just 327.6 yards per contest. Defensive back Jalen Robinson was named Second Team All-GLIAC and set the single-season school record with 101 tackles.
In 2019, DU finished 24th out of 166 Division II schools in total defense allowing 303.8 yards per contest. In addition, the team allowed 23 points per game which ranked third in the GLIAC and allowed just a 33.3 percent conversion rate on third down. Robert Clanton was named First Team All-GLIAC on the defensive line and also garnered Honorable Mention All-American notice by Don Hansen. Deion Powers and Kye Black also were named Second Team All-GLIAC.
In 2018, he coordinated a defense that was one of the tops in Division II. Through the first seven weeks, DU was first in the nation in total defense (195.6) and third in pass efficiency (82.47) and third-down conversions (21.7). At the conclusion of the season, DU allowed just 27 percent on third down ranking in the top 10 nationally. The total defense numbers were 255 yards allowed per game which was eighth in Division II. Brian Williams was named GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year and All-American by several organizations including First Team All-American by the AFCA. Six different players on defense were also named to the All-GLIAC teams.
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.
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