Coach to Coach: Unplugged with Head Football Coach, Sparky McEwen, the Architect behind leading Davenport University's journey to champion status

 

Photo Courtesy of Davenport University Athletics

By Nate McCray

Since taking the reins in 2017 and guiding Davenport University through its inaugural season of NCAA Division II and GLIAC competition, Head Coach Sparky McEwen has transformed the Panthers into a formidable force in Midwest college football. What began as a daunting challenge—building a program from the ground up in one of the nation's most competitive Division II conferences—has evolved into a story of consistent growth, resilience, and competitive excellence. Under McEwen’s leadership, Davenport has not only earned respect across the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and nationally, but has also developed a culture rooted in discipline, player development, and a commitment to winning.  

While we reflected on the 2025 spring ball campaign, Coach McEwen was quick to emphasize its importance in laying the foundation for both immediate and long-term success. “You know how we operate here, coach,” McEwen said. “That’s a really big time for us, and you know the number of recruits that we get in here in January—that’s a major developmental period for us. And then with our high school kids that we brought in, you know, that’s a big time for them as well.” McEwen pointed to the team’s strong emphasis on player development during the offseason, a core philosophy that has helped Davenport thrive amid college football’s constantly evolving landscape. “Obviously, as you know, with the forever-changing landscape of college football—I think that’s one thing that gets left behind,” he added. “A lot of it’s due to the fact that the transfer portal is there, and everyone feels like, you know, ‘Hey, I might lose a player, and I only can work with this one for so long.” Yet at Davenport University, McEwen remains committed to investing time and coaching in every athlete, regardless of the ever-present uncertainty in the modern game.

When asked about the impact of the transfer portal on his program, Coach McEwen was candid—but optimistic. “It’s affected us more positively than anything,” he said. “Man, I look at it as a positive thing for everybody involved.” For McEwen, embracing change has been essential to sustaining success, especially in today’s player-driven era of college football. “You know, us older coaches—we’ve got to evolve and get out of that old way of thinking, especially if you want to survive,” he explained. Drawing on over a decade of professional coaching experience, McEwen credits that background for helping him adapt to the current landscape with confidence and clarity. “It’s helped me, you know, in this current state of the game,” he added. While Davenport has experienced some roster turnover through the portal, McEwen understands it as part of the cost of growth. “Yeah, we’ve lost some guys to it, and we’re going to continue to—especially as we keep gaining the credibility we’re getting right now on the national stage.”

As for takeaways from this year’s spring ball, Coach McEwen’s passion for the process was unmistakable. “Because you know, obviously man, there’s nothing like a Saturday in September at 12 noon for a football game—nothing like it,” he said with a grin. “But spring is a close second for me, man, because I get to be with just the boys and the coaches, and we have a good time. We really emphasize the player developmental piece.” For McEwen, spring isn’t just about running plays—it’s about building chemistry, testing competitiveness, and evaluating who’s ready to step up. “For me, it was just watching us compete. My guys were getting after it,” he said. “Then you have the new players that you brought on board—to see if they’re really going to have a true effect on our upcoming season. It’s a true time of evaluation.” Despite how much the spring period has evolved, McEwen insists the core remains the same: development, competition, and camaraderie. “It’s changed so much, man, but we do still have fun with it, you know.”

When it comes to the core leadership principles that have anchored Coach McEwen’s journey, faith and family remain at the heart of everything he does. “You know, that’s the thing that gets challenged in this new landscape—your core principles,” McEwen reflected. “One of the things I tell my guys coming into this is, you’ve got to have a heavy faith. Working with young people, developing them into something more than just football players, you’ve got to truly believe you’re doing the right thing by helping them see themselves 10, 15 years down the line.” For McEwen, coaching is a calling that extends far beyond wins and losses; it’s about shaping futures. Equally vital to his approach is cultivating a family environment. “Coach McCray, that’s really important to me—family. I really feel like you can’t win if you don’t cultivate that family atmosphere,” he said. “That’s one of the things we’re big on here. What’s gotten lost in recruiting is truly opening your arms and welcoming these young people into your program—understanding that this is a true family.  Doing things the right way, loving these young men the way they’re supposed to be loved, and just giving them insight into what it looks like to be a true role model and good citizen—that’s what it’s all about,” he said.

Coach McEwen witnessed firsthand the dramatic evolution of Division II football during his tenure at Davenport, especially with the rise of the transfer portal and the new era of player movement. “You know, when this thing started with the transfer portal, there were a lot of people that thought I was crazy when I said, ‘Whoa, this is free agency in football,’” McEwen recalled. “Now all of a sudden, I feel like they’re all using that phrase—free agent football.” Thanks to his professional coaching experience, McEwen was well-positioned to adapt early, understanding the nuances of roster construction in a rapidly shifting environment. “I understand how it works—how you evaluate, how you create offensive and defensive schemes that can welcome players, whether they’re here for just five or six months as a grad transfer, or for two full seasons,” he explained. Still, while embracing change, McEwen hasn’t strayed from his foundational approach. “We build our team through the high school system,” he emphasized. “What we do with transfers is bridge the gap—wherever we feel there are deficiencies going into the following year.” For McEwen, every portal addition must meet a high standard. “We’re not bringing in guys just to fill a roster spot. They’ve got to go through our evaluation process and be someone who’s going to come in and play,” he said. “But at the same time, we’re not going to stunt the growth of our young players. Development is still at the core of what we do.”

Coach McEwen’s offensive philosophy has evolved alongside the shifting dynamics of the college game, but it remains rooted in experience and strategic clarity. “You know, it’s funny that you say that because my background has been with quarterbacks and receivers—but mainly quarterbacks,” McEwen said. “My entire career, I’ve pretty much called it, and I love the X’s and O’s, man.” Yet as the game has modernized, so too has his role. “It’s changed so much that I’ve had to migrate into more of a GM-slash-supervisor type role because things have truly changed,” he explained. Still, McEwen’s vision of building a winning offense in the GLIAC has never wavered. “When I made a decision, I stayed with the decision that I felt like I know what would win in the GLIAC,” he said confidently. With deep ties to the conference, including his time on staff at Ferris State University during the early tenure of Coach Tony Annese—McEwen developed a keen understanding of the league’s demands. “I’ve been affiliated with the GLIAC for some time. I watched Grand Valley from a distance, and I’ve seen the blueprint. So, I have a feel for the things you need to be successful in this league,” he added. That deep-rooted knowledge, combined with his ability to adapt, has helped shape an offensive identity at Davenport that’s competitive, balanced, and built to thrive against some of the toughest defenses in Division II football.

Coach McEwen remains deeply connected to the offensive side of the ball, and it’s clear that his influence is woven into every layer of the Panthers’ attack. “So offensively, man, I’ve definitely got fingerprints all over that thing.”   That’s why the hire of Offensive Coordinator Devin Russell was such a crucial decision—one McEwen approached with intentionality and vision. “One of the things for me was making sure that the guy I hired offensively had a lot of similarities to myself,” he explained. “I also wanted someone who felt good and comfortable throwing the football around. I wanted a self-starter—a creative mind.” In Russell, McEwen found a kindred football spirit, and the synergy between the two has already begun to elevate the offense. “Me and my OC, Devin Russell—man, we’ve done well together,” McEwen said. “And I continue to look forward to that relationship growing, especially because we’ve got a good group returning this upcoming season.” With McEwen’s strategic guidance and Russell’s innovative approach, the Panthers’ offense is poised to take another leap forward in 2025.

When it comes to instilling discipline and accountability, Coach McEwen takes a purpose-driven, people-first approach that resonates far beyond the game of football. “You know, it’s a great question,” he said. “A lot of discipline has been lost in the game, and I’ve always said I was not going to be one of those coaches.” Rather than relying on outdated methods, McEwen strives to connect with today’s athletes by meeting them where they are—while never compromising on core values. “I don’t try to coach out of the old-school handbook. I try to evolve with the younger generation and what I think is important to them,” he explained. “But there’s one thing that will never change—and that’s the importance of being a solid citizen and human being.” Whether it's preparing players for life as fathers, employees, or community leaders, McEwen sees discipline as a life skill, not just a football expectation. “There’s a certain amount of discipline you must have to be a great father, a great husband, a great uncle, a great employee,” he said. “That will never change.” Inside the locker room and staff meetings alike, these principles are reinforced through open dialogue and real-life context. “We don’t run from these conversations,” McEwen emphasized. “We talk about it—we ask, ‘What does it look like? What does it sound like to you?’” It’s that consistent, intentional focus on character development that helps turn Panthers into leaders, both on and off the field.

Preparing his team for the physical and mental grind of GLIAC conference play is something Coach McEwen approaches with deliberate intensity and long-term vision. “Well, you know, a couple of things,” he began. “When I took this program over from Lou Esposito—who’s now at the University of Michigan—the number one thing I knew right away was that I needed to make a move that would foster major growth within our program.” That move? Establishing a dedicated strength and conditioning presence tailored specifically to Davenport’s needs. “I hired someone solely for us—someone who understands exactly what has to happen for us to take that next leap physically, nutritionally, and athletically,” McEwen said. “I’ve got a guy who knows my roster through and through, and that has been a major, major part of our success.” But McEwen is just as focused on the mental approach. “The second thing is, like I said earlier—you can’t miss steps,” he emphasized. “In this conference, there are no shortcuts. If you skip stages in preparation—whether that’s in the weight room, in film study, or in building mental toughness—it’s going to show up on Saturdays.” By building a foundation rooted in discipline, individualized development, and process-driven growth, McEwen ensures that the Panthers are not just ready to compete—but built to endure.

Looking ahead to the next three to five years, Coach McEwen’s vision for the evolution of Panther football is laser-focused on achieving what every great program ultimately chases: championships. “You know, ultimately, we have those goals of winning championships—and that’s why we get into this business, man,” McEwen said with conviction. “We really want to win championships, and I’m at that level right now. I’m at that stage in my career.” Having already claimed one title in his coaching journey, McEwen knows firsthand just how difficult that mountain is to climb, especially in a league as unforgiving as the GLIAC. “It’s hard. It’s hard to do, especially in this conference where you’ve got some elite programs. And we’ve had to take this one from scratch,” he added. But McEwen firmly believes Davenport is on the brink of breaking through. “Man, we’re knocking on the doorsteps,” he said. “When you’re battling the giants that we’re battling—and you look at a game like we had against Central Missouri last year, where we lost by just one point—that tells me we’re right there.” With the foundation firmly in place and the program earning national recognition, McEwen is determined to take that next step—from contender to champion.