Dennis Lumpkin enters his first year as the Running Backs Coach and Director of Football Operations for the Fighting Tigers.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Lumpkin developed a passion for football at an early age. Throughout his life, the game has helped shape his approach to discipline, focus and leadership. As a coach, Lumpkin has carried those lessons into his work with student-athletes, with an emphasis on helping young men develop both on and off the field.
Prior to Andrew College, Lumpkin served as the Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Assistant for the Kings Mountain Force of the Coastal Football Alliance. During the 2025 season, the defense finished first in interceptions, takeaways and defensive touchdowns while earning a North Carolina 3A playoff appearance.
Lumpkin previously spent the 2024-25 season at NCAA Division III Brevard College as an Assistant Linebackers Coach, Special Teams Assistant and Quality Control Coach. Brevard finished third in the USA South Conference with a 6-3 overall record and 5-2 conference mark. During his time with the program, Zackary Orr earned first-team all-conference honors as a punt returner, while linebacker Baylee Ramey received honorable mention recognition.
Before Brevard, Lumpkin spent another stint with the Kings Mountain Force working with defensive backs, special teams and quality control. The Force finished 10-2 overall and 6-1 in conference play while earning a North Carolina 3A playoff appearance. The defense also finished first in the league in interceptions.
Lumpkin's coaching experience also includes stops with the North Carolina Venom and Queen City Sharks, both out of North Carolina. With the Venom, he worked with linebackers, defensive backs and special teams units. He later worked with the offensive line, special teams and quality control for the Queen City Sharks.
At the collegiate level, Lumpkin served as the Running Backs Coach at NCAA Division II Johnson C. Smith University in 2021. Under his leadership, Davion Nelson earned CIAA All-Rookie Team honors after finishing fifth in the conference with 542 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Tyreik Leach finished eighth in the CIAA with 419 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Lumpkin earned a Football General Manager and Scouting Certificate from Sports Management Worldwide in December 2020 and is a member of the American Football Coaches Association. He is also pursuing a bachelor's degree in sports management through Central Piedmont Community College.
