Coach Bios


Brian Barnes
Head Coach
Kalen Pokley
Head Coach
(586) 907-6422
Assistant Coach Alma College Football
Avante Mitchell joined the LTU Football coaching staff in July 2019 as the team's defensive coordinator. Mitchell comes to Lawrence Tech University from Northwood University, where he spent three seasons as their defensive backs coach. During his tenure at Northwood, he coached and mentored six players that earned All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) honors. Prior to Northwood Mitchell spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Taylor University. During his time with the Trojans, Taylor’s defense ranked among the national leaders in NAIA in in multiple categories (sacks, rush defense, defensive turnovers among others) all three seasons respectively. Resume excerpts: Led team to top 25 rankings in NAIA in all major defensive statistical categories, including total scoring (21.9 pts/g), total defense (332.5 yds/g), rush defense, (119.8 yds/g), sacks (36 total 3.6/g), and defensive turnovers (25 total, 19 INTs, and 6 FR) helping team secure a 7-3 record in 2015, and the 11th, 18th, and 6th ranked defenses in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively While coaching Punt, FG, and PAT Block special teams by developing schemes and strategies resulting in leading all collegiate levels (Division I, II, III and NAIA) in blocked kicks (20) between the 2013 and 2015 seasons Coached Adam Sauder who was a two time All-American, MSFA-East Defensive Player of the Year and a finalists for the 2014 Cliff Harris Award as one of the nation's best small college defensive players. Prior to his time at Taylor, Mitchell spent two seasons at Concordia, where he held a number of roles. Mitchell was a defensive line coach, the defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator as well as interim head coach. A native of Detroit, Michigan Mitchell began his collegiate career playing football at the University of Louisville, before transferring to Wayne State University. Later he earned his Management BBA degree from Northwood University. Mitchell and his wife Ebony have twins: a boy named Ahlon and a girl named Ahvon.
Terrance Wilson
Assistant Coach
(313) 401-6245
Ra Murray
Assistant Coach
(248) 378-0627
Second year Graduate assistant and Linebackers Coach.

Team Admins


CoachTom Creguer
Fundraising Coordinator