Lee Stalker begins his second year at VSU and second season as Defensive Coordinator for the Blazers. The Black Swarm was a driving force to the Blazer's undefeated Gulf South Conference championship season. Along with capturing the programs eighth conference championship and a NCAA Playoff appearance, it led to Head Coach Gary Goff earning Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year.
The Black Swarm finished the regular season ranked as the top defense in the Gulf South Conference with four All-GSC Defensive selections along with three GSC Defensive Players of the Week. Statistically, the Black Swarm played at an elite level all year long giving up only 18 points per game and ranked Top-20 nationally in yards per game (299), 3rd Down Conversions (69%), and Red Zone scoring (68%).
Before arriving in Valdosta, Stalker coached at Tiffin University where he spent five seasons alongside Goff. At Tiffin, Stalker served as the Special Teams Coordinator and coached the defensive line for the Dragons. While there, he coached and mentored eight all-conference honorees, including Willie Mays who went on to play for the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams.
In helping to rebuild the Tiffin program, Stalker and the Dragon's defense made vast strides in 2017, finishing top-10 nationally in tackles for loss, while ranking in the top-20 in sacks along with third down and fourth down conversion percentages. Stalker made drastic improvements to the defensive line unit as he took over in 2014 and developed a group who would go on to average 20 sacks and 40 tackles for loss per season.
Prior to Tiffin, Stalker coached one season at Oberlin College, where he served as the linebackers coach and head strength coach for the Yeomen. During his time at Oberlin, he mentored three All-NCAC selections along with one All-American honoree.
Stalker began his coaching career in 2012 at Butler High School in Butler, Pa., where he was a 2007 graduate and worked with the offensive and defensive lines.
He played his collegiate career at Kent State University as a defensive end from 2007-2011. Stalker was a two-year starter, three-year letter winner, and was voted team captain his senior year for the Golden Flashes. Following the 2011 campaign, he was a nominee for the NCAA Burlsworth Trophy. Stalker earned his bachelor's degree in architectural studies and a minor in sports administration from Kent State.
He and his wife, Tricia have a daughter, Kaia.
