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 third season in that direct role in 2020-21. McEwen has helped build one of the top defenses in Division II over the last two seasons. 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.
