Lavelle Walker is entering his fifth season with the Davenport University football program. He is being tasked with guiding the linebackers and special teams units. Walker continues to show dedication to shaping the linebackers into incredible athletes. With a big focus on bringing talented players together for the success of the Panthers.
In 2019, the Panthers were once again blessed with a strong defense and the linebackers included Kye Black, who led the team with 71 tackles and was named Second Team All-GLIAC. Sophomore Jalen Robinson
ranked second on the team with 68 tackles and was named Honorable Mention All-GLIAC.
Walker is part of the 2018 defensive staff that had the number one ranked defense in the country weeks 1-7. The defensive staff finished with the ninth-ranked defense in the country and second-ranked in the conference. They also finished with the sixth-ranked pass defense in the country and the second-ranked in the conference. The staff also finished with the second-ranked run defense in the GLIAC. He has had the opportunity to coach players that have received major honors in the GLIAC: All-Conference Honorable Mention (Chad Thornton), Second Team All-Conference (Kye Black).
Prior to coming to Davenport, Walker served as the defensive back coach at his alma mater of Lansing Everett. He also served as the strength and conditioning coach for the team that went 9-0 and onto the playoffs. Walker coached six defensive backs that went off to play college football, with two of those student-athletes being all-state players.
Before stepping into the coaching world, Lavelle graduated from Lansing Everett High School in 2009. He was a four-year starter on the varsity as a defensive back and wide receiver and accomplished a number of achievements along the way. These include multiple all-state honorable mentions, elite 8 (as a junior), serving as team captain, being a part of the Lansing State Journal Dream Team and a variety of another awards.
Walker went on to play safety at Grand Valley State from 2009-2011, where they made an appearance in the 2009 national championship game and he earned academic all-conference honors. He spent his last year playing at Central Michigan University as a cornerback before graduating in 2015 with honors (cum laude) and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and minor in Health Education. Walker earned his Masters of Management degree from Davenport University in 2017.
Walker’s professional experience includes teaching summer health and physical education classes at Mount Pleasant High School and Renaissance Elementary schools. He worked with the summer playground program in the Okemos Public School and teaching various sports classes at the YMCA.
