Lucas Melo begins his third season with the Panthers in 2020-21. Melo helped several Panther defensive linemen to career seasons in 2019, including senior defensive tackle Robert Clanton who had a breakout season. Clanton earned All-GLIAC First Team and Don Hansen's Honorable Mention 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, first-year starting defensive end Abe Thompson also had a breakout season earning All-GLIAC honors. DU recorded 22 sacks as a team and 71 tackles for loss. A total of 45.5 tackles for loss came from the defensive line.
He had a major impact during his first season with the Panthers in 2018-19. Melo's defensive line wreaked havoc on opposing offenses last season 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.
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 in 2017 to 30 sacks in 2018. The team ranked in the top 10 nationally in sacks and three players were named First Team All-Conference. Melo has also coached at Ellsworth College in Iowa and LA Pierce College. Melo has coached 13 All-conference defensive linemen during the last four years between Wayne State, LA Pierce and Ellsworth.
During his time at the junior college level, he had seven defensive linemen 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.
He is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University with a bachelor's degree in corporate communication. 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.
