Lucas Melo will begin his fourth season with the Panthers in 2022-23. Melo has helped several Panther defensive linemen to career seasons since his arrival in 2019, including two straight seasons, of defensive lineman Patrick McMahon being named First Team Academic All-American after accumulating a career of 95 tackles of which 16 were tackles for loss. In 2019 senior defensive tackle, Robert Clanton had a breakout season earning All-GLIAC First Team and Don Hansen's All-American honors with career highs of 46 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown from his defensive tackle position at Saginaw Valley State. In addition to McMahon and Clanton defensive linemen Abe Thompson, Tierre Turner and Brendan Bowman, Have also had breakout seasons since Melo’s arrival having earning All-GLIAC honors.
Melo has had a major impact during his first three seasons with the Panthers. Melo's defensive line wreaked havoc on opposing offenses in 2019 totaling 71 tackles for loss and 22 sacks in 10 games. The Panthers ranked second in the GLIAC in rush defense (127 ypg) and top 50 in the nation. The defensive line helped Davenport rank second in the GLIAC in total defense. In a shortened Covid spring season of 2021, Davenports Ranked #2 in Sacks per game, #9 in TFL per game, and #1 in Forced Turnovers per game in the nation. In the fall of 2021 Davenport had the #1 Pass Defense in the GLIAC while ranking #8 Nationally in large part to a relentless pass rush which forced 22 sacks and 26 Quarterback hits by 9 different defensive linemen.
Prior to Davenport, Melo was on the staff at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. He served as defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for the NCAA Division II institution. During his time, the defensive line improved from 11 sacks prior to his arrival to 30 sacks following his arrival. The team ranked in the top 10 nationally in sacks. Melo developed 2 Academic All Americans; Kolby Foster and Jacob Protzman. In addition to the development of All NSIC selections for Kolby Foster, Jacob Protzman, Ryan Parker and Xavier Grahm. Melo has also coached at the Junior College level at Ellsworth College in Iowa and Los Angeles Pierce College. During that time Melo had a major role in the development of All Americans Keonte Schad and Blaze Alldredge in addition to developing 9 All-conference defensive linemen during his stops at Ellsworth and LA Pierce.
During his time at the junior college level, Melo also developed seven defensive linemen to make the jump to NCAA Division I. That includes two top 10 players in the nation and the number two overall defensive tackle in the country. At LA Pierce College he was the co-defensive coordinator, defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. His recruits included 13 All-conference players who were a part in helping turn the program around from a 1-9 season the prior year to a 6-5 record while starting 17 true freshmen.
At Ellsworth College, he was the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator and his recruits included eight All-conference players. The high school level experience for Melo included the head wrestling coach at Lyman (Fla.) High School as well as defensive line coach at Lake Howell and Lake Mary.
In addition to his Master’s degree in Educational leadership from Davenport He is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in communications. He played defensive line for the NCAA Division I FCS program.
After college, Melo played three years of pro football (2014-2017) in the arena ranks as a defensive lineman, where he was named team captain and All-League for two of those seasons. He has two daughters – Brooklyn and Brielle.
