Davenport University Athletics

Sparky McEwen enters his eighth 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 the table over thirty years of coaching experience with 26 of those serving as Head Coach. McEwen has led the Davenport University Panthers to a meteoric rise since being named Head Football Coach in February of 2017. In the brief history of the program, McEwen’s Panthers have qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs, and has been ranked as high as ninth nationally in 2023. McEwen’s teams have improved consistently and are 16-5 over the last two seasons.  

During his inaugural 2017 season, McEwen led the Panthers in their first season of NCAA Division II and GLIAC play. 2017 was a season of growth and maturation marked by close games. Three contests that season were decided in overtime. The team set school rushing attempts (65) and rushing yards (386) records in their win over McKendree. 

In 2018, the Panthers showed tremendous growth in year two under McEwen. The team began the season 6-0, secured a national ranking and won their first three GLIAC contests. The team won a thriller in the final 10 seconds at Michigan Tech (23-21) for the school's first GLIAC win. They also defeated Northern Michigan 31-30 in overtime coming back from a 24-9 deficit with under eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter. The eye-opening statement came at Wayne State with a 37-14 victory. The Panther offense gained 377 yards and limited the Warriors to 107 yards on 43 plays. DU ran 30 more plays in the game controlling the clock. The Panthers took No. 8 Grand Valley State to the wire on Oct. 20 falling 19-14 on a touchdown with 1:36 left. They also lost a tough 24-17 overtime contest to Saginaw Valley State in the season finale on Nov. 10 in Caledonia. The Panthers had the second largest win differential total in Division II from the 2017 to 2018 season going from 1-10 to 6-5.

The 2019 season was another marked by big wins over difficult competition both in and out of conference play. A marquee win came in week three with a 35-24 victory over nationally-ranked Lindenwood (MO). The Panther defense posted eight sacks versus the Lions setting the school record for sacks in one game. Following their loss to the Panthers, the Lions went on to capture the 2019 GLVC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. In 2019, the Panthers also secured victories over tough GLIAC competition including a 21-7 win versus Northern Michigan in the Superior Dome, a 21-14 victory over Northwood and a 33-23 road win at Saginaw Valley State. The Panthers secured team records of 390 passing yards and 7.1 yards per play in their nail-biting 30-27 loss at Ashland.

The 2020 season was reduced to just two games during the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Panthers played Gannon University twice during the spring and won both of those contests.

The 2021 season saw the Panthers get a hard-fought 10-6 win in week two on the road at Walsh. The defense came up big on the final possession for the Cavaliers. Walsh drove to the DU 10-yard line and a quarterback scramble on the final play was stopped at the two-yard line. The Panthers then improved to 5-0 all-time in homecoming games on Oct. 9 with a 18-13 GLIAC win over Northern Michigan. The team compiled 303 total yards and held the Wildcats to 201 total yards including just 66 rushing yards. The final win of the season occurred on Oct. 23 at Northwood in the final GLIAC contest between the two schools. Isaac Van Dyke got the start at quarterback and helped guide the team to 189 rushing yards and 348 total yards. Caleef Jenkins had a pair of rushing touchdowns and Van Dyke had the other touchdown on the ground.

In 2022, McEwen guided the Panthers to one of the best turnarounds in NCAA Division II. He took the Panthers from a regular season record of 3-8 in 2021 to a record of 8-2.  For the first time in the short history of Davenport football, the team received an NCAA Division II playoff bid. The Panthers set a season record with eight wins and began the season with an 8-0 record before finishing the season by facing two of the premier opponents not only regionally but nationally. Davenport reached as high as 13th nationally after that 8-0 start and had never been nationally ranked before the 2022 season. McEwen turned the program around with a revamped offense that put up big numbers. In 2021, Davenport averaged under 10 points per game and in 2022, the average increased to 32.9 points per game. McEwen’s squad was the top passing offense in the conference (249.9 yards per game). The defense also posted some impressive numbers ranking seventh nationally and first in the GLIAC in takeaways with 26. The pass defense was also a highlight ranking 11th nationally and first in the conference allowing 154.2 yards per game.

The 2023 season proved to be the second straight season in which the Panthers won eight games. The Panthers were once again nationally ranked in NCAA Division II after starting the season at 8-0 for the second straight season and climbed as high as No. 9 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. He coached a total of 17 players who were named to the GLIAC postseason awards including GLIAC Offensive Back of the Year in Myren Harris. In total, there were six players who were named First Team All-GLIAC including Harris, Preston Smith, Trent Allen, Geemontae Peck, Julius Wilkerson, and Alaric Wooten. DU had a highlight performance at Michigan Tech on Sept. 3 to improve to 4-0. It was the first shutout of an opponent since joining NCAA Division II. They also had a comeback win at home against Saginaw Valley State in which they scored on the final drive for the 24-21 victory. The only losses in the last two years for the program (16-5) came away teams nationally ranked in the top seven at the time of competition.

Prior to coming to Davenport University, McEwen spent five seasons at his alma mater Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. From 1987 until 1990, McEwen was a four-year starter, playing multiple positions including quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back, and punt returner for the Bulldogs.  As a member of the Ferris State coaching staff, he served as passing game coordinator, receivers coach, pro liaison, and alumni relations liaison. He played an integral role in guiding the Bulldogs to national prominence and to back-to-back undefeated regular seasons as a member of NCAA Division II and the GLIAC. The team posted a 28-game regular season win streak from 2013-2016.  The Bulldogs also made a NCAA Division II semifinal appearance in 2016 with a 47-32 quarterfinal win over rival Grand Valley State University.

Before stepping back onto the outdoor field, McEwen spent more than a decade as a professional football player and coach in the Arena Football League serving with both the Grand Rapids Rampage and the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz.  He began his Arena Football career as a quarterback with the Grand Rapids Rampage in 1998 and served as the team's offensive assistant and pro scout in 2000.  In 2001, McEwen was promoted to Rampage Offensive Coordinator.  During his tenure as Offensive Coordinator, the team posted their three best seasons from 2001-2003, which included winning ArenaBowl XV in 2001.  Under his direction, the Rampage's offense scored more points than any other team in the Arena Football League and gained more yards over the three-year span.

In 2004, McEwen became the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator in Oklahoma City for the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz. McEwen guided the expansion team to numerous offensive records and their first-ever playoff appearance. After the successful 2004 season, McEwen was highly sought after and accepted the position of Head Coach and Director of Football Operations for the Grand Rapids Rampage. McEwen held that position for three seasons from 2005-2008 and assisted in turning around the struggling franchise. McEwen went back to Oklahoma City as Head Coach and President of Football Operations to rebuild their franchise. Under his direction, the OKC Yard Dawgz were known for their high scoring offense and tenacious defense and in 2009 the team was back in the playoff hunt.

McEwen began his coaching career as a successful high school football head coach in Grand Rapids at Creston High School. In 1996, McEwen returned to his struggling alma mater and turned them into a perennial power. He led the Polar Bears to the 1999 state championship game, three City League titles, and six straight playoff appearances. Dozens of his high school student-athletes received NCAA DI and DII scholarship offers. McEwen held the reins at Creston from 1996 until 2003.

McEwen, a top-notch national recruiter, is known for bringing in student athletes who make an immediate impact in the programs he manages. He recruits smart, athletic, hard-working, disciplined football players who can develop as leaders both on and off the field.  

Over his tenure, McEwen has coached hundreds of athletes at both the amateur and professional levels. With over a decade of pro liaison experience, he has helped to guide dozens of amateur athletes onto professional football rosters with the AFL, CFL and NFL. His eye for talent and ability to develop players has made him a trusted resource to professional scouts. During McEwen’s tenure, Davenport has already advanced players to the NFL. Student-athletes Brian Williams (Minnesota Vikings) & Derek Calloway (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) earned invites to NFL mini-camps in the spring of 2019.

McEwen has been a pillar in the West Michigan community for over two decades. He is well known and respected throughout the state.  McEwen has played a significant role in fundraising, the establishment of youth development programs, community service, and mentorships in local schools and organizations. McEwen understands the importance of not only his involvement but also of the importance of his players, fellow coaches and the entire football family giving back to the community. Regular visits to local elementary schools to read to students as well as visits to local children’s hospitals have always been and will continue to be a part of Coach McEwen’s community involvement. He is considered a favorite speaker at local civic organizations, schools, media events, university classes and special events. McEwen was recognized for his civic efforts in 2009 as the recipient of the prestigious Giants TrailBlazer Award.

McEwen currently resides in Grand Rapids with his wife Christie (Cook). He is the proud father of three children who are all college graduates. His oldest, Charles III, resides in Arlington, Texas with his wife, Jessica McEwen, and their daughter, Jayel. His middle child, A.J. McEwen of Grand Rapids, is the Defensive Coordinator on the Panther coaching staff. A.J. received his undergraduate degree from Ferris State University and his graduate degree from Davenport University. His youngest, Janae McEwen, received her undergraduate degree from Western Michigan University and graduate degree from Wayne State University. Janae and her daughter Kalani currently reside in Detroit, Michigan. 

Professional Champion

• 2001 AFL World Champion

• 2001 American Conference Champion

• 2001 Central Division Champion

• 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 & 2009 Playoff Qualifier

Collegiate Champion

• 2016 NCAA Division II National Semi-Finalist

• 2014 & 2015 GLIAC Champions

• 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2022 Division II Playoff Qualifier

High School Champion

• 1999 District, Regional & Quarter Finals Champions

• 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2004 Playoff Qualifier

• 2000, 2001 & 2002 Conference Champs