Millsaps College Men's Football

A familiar face and defensive innovator returns to Harper Davis Field as Brandon Lechtenberg was named the Millsaps College head football coach on Jan. 24, 2024. Following an extensive nationwide search, Lechtenberg emerged as the top candidate having previously coached on the defensive side of the ball at the University of Central Oklahoma, University of Incarnate Word, UT Martin, Millsaps College and Texas Christian University (TCU).   He becomes the 23rd coach tasked to lead the Millsaps College football program, which dates back to 1920 as an NCAA member.   “My family and I are incredibly excited to return to Millsaps College and Jackson, Miss.,” said Lechtenberg. “Working with the administration, faculty, and alumni; we will build a championship culture within the football program and build upon a proud football tradition.”   Lechtenberg spent the previous two seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at NCAA Division II Central Oklahoma. The Bronchos produced their first winning season since 2018 in his first year with the program. UCO totaled five All-MIAA players during Lechtenberg’s two seasons and had the conference’s third ranked cumulative defensive ranking in 2023.   Prior to that, he was the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach at NCAA Division I FCS Incarnate Word from 2018-21. The Cardinals won two Southland Conference titles in 2018 and 2021 and qualified for the FCS playoffs. Under his guidance, the defense was the top regular-season scoring defense in the conference (Fall 2021) and was the top overall special teams unit (Spring 2021 and Fall 2021).   Additionally, the Cardinals’ special teams forced the most turnovers (five) and scored the most touchdowns (three) in 2019. Under his tutelage, Lechtenberg coached two or more All-Conference linebackers on three occasions. He also recruited and coached a Freshman All-American in 2019.   In 2017, Lechtenberg was the secondary coach at another strong NCAA Division I FCS program in UT Martin. The Skyhawks finished top five nationally in scoring defense, total defense and passing defense. He also recruited from Kansas and Mississippi Junior Colleges thanks to his Magnolia State ties.   For six seasons from 2011-16, Lechtenberg was the Millsaps defensive coordinator. The Majors won two SAA titles in 2012 and 2013, while leading the conference in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense in 2012. He also served as the football program’s academic coordinator during his time in Jackson.   “We are thrilled to welcome Brandon, his wife Dee and their young family back to Millsaps,” Millsaps College Director of Athletics Aaron Pelch said. “During his previous tenure as the defensive coordinator, Brandon was integral to the success and development of our student-athletes in both the classroom and on the field. Brandon is a tireless recruiter, an innovative defensive coach and has a tireless work ethic. I’m excited to see the next era of Millsaps football begin and I’m happy that Brandon will be the one leading our team.”   Lechtenberg began his collegiate coaching career at TCU as a defensive graduate assistant and worked with video from 2008-11. Learning under head football coach Gary Patterson, Lechtenberg helped coach the Horned Frogs in the 2009 Poinsettia Bowl, 2010 Fiesta Bowl and 2011 Rose Bowl. TCU lead the nation in total defense in 2008, 2009 and 2010 as well as scoring defense in 2010. His Horned Frogs finished ranked No. 7 (2008), No. 6 (2009) and No. 3 (2010).   Other coaches Lechtenberg credits for his football growth to this point include North Texas head football coach Eric Morris, while at Incarnate Word, and Central Oklahoma head football coach Adam Dorrel, a three-time national title winner.   Prior to the college ranks, Lechtenberg was the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for Central City High School in Central City, Neb. from 2007-08. He also served from 2005-07 as the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at North Star High School in Lincoln, Neb.   Lechtenberg is married to Dee Anna and they have three children, Irene, Jayne and Harris. His brother, Adam, is also the head football coach at NCAA Division I FCS Central Connecticut State.   A native of Butte, Neb., Lechtenberg earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska (Bachelor of Social Science Education) in 2005 and his master’s degree from TCU (Master of Education – Education Administration).   COACH LECHTENBERG COLLEGE FILE School Seasons Title Millsaps Present Head Football Coach Central Oklahoma 2022-23 Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach Incarnate Word 2018-21 Special Teams Coordinator and Linebacker Coach UT Martin 2017 Secondary Coach Millsaps 2011-16 Defensive Coordinator TCU 2008-11 Defensive Graduate Assistant

The Millsaps football program added a key asset to their coaching staff, naming Donavan Newman III as the teams wide receiver coach in Feb. 2024. Newman will serve as the recruiting coordinator as well.  Newman spent the previous two seasons as an Offensive Quality Control Coach at Houston Christian University, working with the Quarterbacks in 2023 and Wide Receivers in 2022. Newman was part of the programs first winning season in school history (2023).    Prior to HCU, Newman was a student assistant and quarterbacks coach at North American University. He played quarterback for the Stallions from 2020-21, after beginning his career at East Texas Baptist University.   Newman earned a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies from North American University in 2022. A Houston area native, Newman attended Hightower High School in Fort Bend ISD.

The Millsaps College men's and women's golf programs announced Erica Payton as their new assistant coach in December 2025. A decorated student-athlete with local ties, Payton was inducted into the Jackson State University Sports Hall of Fame in the Class of 2023 after excelling during her collegiate career. She carded the lowest college round with a 75 at the 2009 NCAA Regional. She was also a three-time Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship winner with the Tigers in 2009, 2010 and 2012. She is the daughter of Eddie Payton, who served as the men's and women's golf coach at JSU from 1986 to 2016. Additionally, Payton is the niece of NFL Hall of Famer Walter Payton. Payton also has been involved with Swing Studio JXN since 2024, where she has served as both the owner and instructor. She is a passionate and committed golf coach there with experience teaching players of various skill levels. She delivered personalized instructions tailored to the unique needs of each student, fostering skill development, technique improvement, and enhanced understanding of golf strategies. The career journey saw Payton build an extensive background in educational leadership  and project management as well. Her previous titles included post-award grants manager at The Kirkland Group (2023-24), community support coordinator at Lee A. Tolbert Community Academy (2018-23) and Director of Athletics at Benjamin Banneker Charter Academy (2015-18). Payton earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Jackson State University in May 2013, and she went on to obtain her Master of Science in Sports Management with JSU in May 2015. She is also a member of the Junior League of Jackson and was a Chapter President for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at JSU.

The Millsaps football program added a strong piece to their coaching staff, announcing Julian Jean-Baptiste as the team’s new defensive coordinator on Jan. 30, 2024. Jean-Baptiste spent the previous two seasons as the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. Last season Jean-Baptiste helped the War Hawks secure a 6-4 record, which was the program’s first winning mark since 2012. The War Hawks ranked first in the American Southwest Conference with 33 sacks. The defense also ranked third in forced fumbles, fumbles recovered and points allowed per game (20.9 ppg) in 2023. The War Hawks combined for 27 All-ASC student-athletes, including 10 on the defensive side of the ball in Jean-Baptiste’s two seasons. McMurry also racked up the third-most sacks during the 2022 campaign. Prior to coaching the War Hawks, Jean-Baptiste spent over a decade in the high school ranks in the Houston, Texas area with stops at Fort Bend Academy, Grace Christian Academy, St, John XXlll College Preparatory, Westbury Christian and his alma mater St. Plus X High School. The longtime Houston, Texas, native completed his Bachelor’s in Interpersonal Communications at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) in August 2018 with a degree.

Millsaps College has welcomed Taylor Martin as the defensive backs coach joining the football staff in February 2024. Martin brings a wealth of experience from his playing days at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he played defensive back and took on various roles in the secondary from 2019 to 2023. He was apart of the team’s success, including four playoff appearances, winning the Southland Conference championship in 2022 and being ranked in the top 25 nationally among FCS teams for four consecutive years. Before his collegiate career, he excelled as a standout player at Live Oak High School in Denham Springs, La.

Millsaps College