Assistant Coaches
Lion Football 2013
Travis Mikel Offensive Line
Second Year at Southeastern Louisiana • Delta State, 2007
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ravis Mikel begins his second year as an assistant coach on the Southeastern Louisiana University staff, serving as offensive line coach and the team’s Director of Football Operations. Before his arrival in Hammond, Mikel spent three seasons at Delta State under head coach Ron Roberts where he was served in the same capacity, including the last two years as offensive line coach. In his first season at Southeastern, Mikel worked an offensive line that was paced by All-Southland Conference performer Gasten Gabriel. Along with fellow starters Marshall Paris, Geremy Wilson, Corey Boothe and Paul Roppolo, the offensive line gelled as the season progressed, opening holes for freshmen running backs Xavier Roberson and Rasheed Harrell while limiting opponents to five sacks in seven league games. At Delta State, Mikel coached Division II AllAmericans Chad Schroeder (2008), Trevar Deed (2008-2010), Brad Latham (2009), Phillip Yandall (2010) and Darrell Leopold (2011). He also worked with 10 All-GSC and All-South Region Statesmen. The DSU offensive line, under Mikel’s guidance, helped the Statesmen finish 12th in Division II in total offense and 21st nationally in passing offense. The Statesmen led the Gulf South Conference in scoring offense while the offensive line helped pave the way for quarterback Micah Davis to finish third overall for the Harlon Hill Trophy – the Division II equivalent to the Heisman Trophy. In 2010, Mikel helped guide the Statesmen to the
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NCAA DII National Championship game and their third Gulf South Conference title in four years with an 11-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the GSC. DSU fell short of their goal of winning the title on a last second game-winning field goal by MinnesotaDuluth 20-17. In Mikel’s first season as offensive line coach, the Statesmen allowed the fewest sacks in the Gulf South Conference while producing one of the top offenses in NCAA Division II. DSU averaged 31.9 points and 452.9 yards of total offense per game. Mikel’s linemen allowed Davis to become the first 4,000-yard passer in school history while Deed shattered the school all-purpose yardage (5,144) and scoring (264 points/44 touchdowns) records. Yandall (LT) and Leopold (C) earned postseason honors for DSU under Mikel’s direction. Yandall was named a Daktronics Honorable Mention All-American while both Yandall and Leopold were named AllGSC and All-South Region. In 2009, the Statesmen offense averaged 410.4 yards per game, while scoring 27.1 points per game. Senior quarterback Garrett DeWitt closed his career as the second-leading passer in school history with 6,945 yards, while amassing 7,145 yards of total offense. Junior all-purpose back Deed finished the regular season leading the GSC in scoring with 15 total touchdowns. With assistance from Mikel, four-year starter Brad Latham (OL) was named to the All-GSC First Team and All-Super Region Two teams. Latham also
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participated in the Cactus Bowl, the Division II AllStar Game in Kingsville, Texas. In 2008, the Statesmen receiving corps proved to be one of the best in the Gulf South Conference and the nation. Two Statesmen, Schroeder (AFCA) and Deed (FB Gazette) received All-American honors after the season. A 2007 graduate of Delta State University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Mikel was a 2006 Honorable Mention All-American, as well as an AllGulf South Conference Second Team member. From 2004-2007, Mikel served in several positions along the offensive line. Mikel’s All-American nod came while serving as center during his junior year. Mikel resides in Hammond.
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