Coach Melo completed his second season at UWF in 2024, continuing to elevate the Argos’ defensive line into one of the most dominant units in the country. The 2024 UWF defense not only led all of Division II but also ranked first across all levels of college football in tackles for loss per game (11) and yards per play allowed (3.6). The team finished third nationally in total defense and sacks per game, setting new program standards.
For the second consecutive year, Coach Melo coached the Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Year, as Traevon Mitchell followed in the footsteps of 2023 winner John McMullen. Mitchell also became Coach Melo’s second straight All-American defensive lineman at UWF. Additionally, the Argos had three All-Conference selections after career seasons in 2024:
- First Team: Traevon Mitchell, Collin Shaw
- Second Team: Anthony Ballard
The groundwork for this dominant season was laid in 2023, Coach Melo’s first year at UWF. That season, John McMullen became a unanimous First Team All-American and the GSC Defensive Player of the Year, marking the first time in program history a player earned both honors. McMullen finished second nationally in sacks (13) and tackles for loss (22), with his TFL total setting a school record. Jacob Dorn and Byron Puryear also earned All-Conference selections, helping the Argos lead the Gulf South in total defense, sacks, and third-down conversion defense while ranking second in rush defense.
In just two seasons under Melo’s leadership, the UWF defense has shattered almost every school record while dominating the Gulf South Conference in total defense, rush defense, sacks, and tackles for loss. His ability to develop elite defensive linemen and maximize their potential has been a defining factor in the team’s success.
Before joining UWF, Melo spent four seasons at Davenport University, where he coached multiple All-Conference and All-American defensive linemen and helped the program reach its highest national ranking in school history (#13 in 2022). His defensive units consistently ranked among the best in Division II, setting new benchmarks for the program.
At DU, Melo had several Panther defensive linemen record career seasons since his arrival in 2019.. In 2019 senior defensive tackle, Robert Clanton had a breakout season earning All-GLIAC First Team and Don Hansen's All-American honors with career highs of 46 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks. Patrick McMahon was twice named First Team Academic All-American after accumulating a career-high 95 tackles with 16 tackles for loss In addition to McMahon and Clanton defensive linemen Austin Alward, Malik, Barrow, Abe Thompson, Tierre Turner, Brendan Bowman, and Geemonte Peck were each All-GLIAC performers.
Prior to Davenport, he was the Defensive Line Coach at Wayne State College, where he helped the team rank top 10 nationally in sacks and developed multiple All-Conference, All Region and Academic All-American players.; Jacob Protzman and Kolby Foster both earned Academic All-American selections after having career years in 2018. Protzman improved from 2 career sacks to having a 12.5 sack and 22 TFL senior season. While Foster finished up his senior season with 18 TFL’s and 10 sacks. In addition, there were NSIC All conference selections for Kolby Foster, Jacob Protzman, Ryan Parker and Xavier Grahm. Melo has also coached at the Junior College level at Ellsworth College in Iowa and Los Angeles Pierce College. During that time Melo had a major role in the development of All Americans Keonte Schad and Blaze Alldredge in addition to developing 9 All-conference defensive linemen during his stops at Ellsworth and LA Pierce.
At the junior college level, Melo coached at Ellsworth College and Los Angeles Pierce College, where he developed All-Americans Keonte Schad, Eric Mateo, and Blaze Alldredge and sent seven defensive linemen to NCAA Division I programs, including two top 10 JUCO prospects.
A former defensive lineman at Southeast Missouri State University, where received a bachelor's degree in communications along with a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Melo went on to play three years of professional arena football (2014-2017), earning All-League honors and serving as a team captain. Coach Melo has two daughters, Brooklyn Melo and Brielle Melo.
