A standout player on the NCAA Division I level at Northwestern State, LeDell Love begins his third season at UNC Pembroke in 2017-18 as defensive line coach after spending two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater.
With Love on the coaching staff in 2014, Northwestern State ranked among the nation’s best defenses in forced turnovers (5th, 30), turnover margin (11th, +0.83) and interceptions (20th, 15). The performance was an encore to a 2013 campaign that saw the Demons rank second among the eight SLC teams in both total defense and sacks. Love mentored five all-conference selections at NSU, including JeMarcus Marshall who grabbed freshman all-America accolades in 2013 after posting a team-best 85 tackles and seven sacks.
Love also has a plethora of experience serving as a clinician at a handful of summer camps, including the Nick Saban Crimson Tide Football Camp and the Les Miles Tiger Football Camp.
A three-year starter on the defensive line at NSU from 2007-10, Love amassed 132 career tackles (80 solo), including 21-1/2 tackles for loss and six sacks, while also adding 14 quarterback hurries, seven forced fumbles and four pass break-ups. He earned All-SLC honors as a sophomore in 2008 after racking up 49 tackles (11 TFL), and then took home the honor again as a senior after tallying 49 tackles and 10 quarterback hurries.
A two-time honor roll selection, Love earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northwestern State in 2010 as well as his master’s degree in health and human performance from the distinguished institution in 2014. He was recently wed to his wife, Alexandria.
THE LOVE FILE
Coaching Experience
2013-14: Northwestern State, Volunteer Assistant Coach (Defensive Line)
2015-Present: UNC Pembroke, Assistant Coach (Defensive Line)
Education
Bachelor’s degree in business administration (Northwestern State, 2010); Master’s degree in health and human performance (Northwestern State, 2014)
