The coaching carousel has now come to a stop across Mississippi’s Division II and III football scene with Millsaps filling its vacancy on Wednesday.
Brandon Lechtenberg returns to Jackson after most recently serving as defensive coordinator at the University of Central Oklahoma. Lechtenberg served as the Majors’ defensive coordinator from 2011-16 before accepting an assistant position with Division I UT Martin.
“My family and I are incredibly excited to return to Millsaps College and Jackson,” Lechtenberg said. “Working with the administration, faculty, and alumni, we will build a championship culture within the football program and build upon a proud football tradition.”
During two years at Central Oklahoma, Lechtenberg helped the Bronchos achieve their first winning record since 2018 in his first season. In 2023, the Division II program took a slight step back and finished one game below .500, although the defense ranked No. 3 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
Prior to his time in Edmond, Lechtenberg coached special teams and linebackers at Division I FCS Incarnate Word from 2018-21. In both 2018 and 2021, the Cardinals won the Southland Conference championship and qualified for the FCS playoffs. In 2017 at UT Martin, he helped make the Skyhawks’ defense a top-five unit in all of FCS.
At Millsaps the first time around, Lechtenberg thrived as the Division III program’s defensive coordinator. The Majors won back-to-back Southern Athletic Association titles in 2012 and 2013 while leading the conference in scoring defense, total defense, and rushing defense in 2012. He also served as the team’s academic coordinator.
“We are thrilled to welcome Brandon, his wife Dee, and their young family back to Millsaps,” Millsaps athletic director 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, who got his coaching start in the high school ranks, is the final hire in what has been a busy offseason for Division II and III coaching changes. Crosstown rival Belhaven recently hired C.J. Nightingale as its head coach while Division II Mississippi College announced Mike Kershaw as head coach last month.
