Lee's coaching career began with Momence High School in Momence, Illinois, where he served as outside linebackers coach for the school. His next move was Middle Georgia College as the defensive ends coach from 1995 to 1997. At Middle Georgia, the defense was ranked seventh in the NJCAA in total defense during the 1995 season.[5]
Lee entered the collegiate coaching ranks as defensive line coach at Southwest Baptist University from 1997 until 2001, and in 2002 moved to be the linebackers coach at the University of the Cumberlands in Kentucky.[1] His next move was to become an assistant coach at Belhaven, where he would later become the head coach.[6]
After several years as an assistant coach,[11] Lee began his tenure at Belhaven by producing only the second winning season in the history of the school's football program in 2006.[12]
Lee has modified the school's approach of bringing in junior college transfer students to play and is focusing on building through new recruits. He has accented that program by bolstering a junior varsity schedule which encourages incoming freshmen to choose Belhaven through the desire of more playing time.[13] In 2007, his team Belhaven, produced a 5–6 overall record and averaged 33.7 points and allowed 37.3 per game.[14] His challenges in the 2008 season include overcoming being outscored in the fourth quarter of play[15] and overcoming a four win losing streak to begin the season.[16]
Olivet Nazarene
In December 2008, Lee was hired to serve as head coach of his alma mater Olivet Nazarene in Bourbonnais, Illinois.[17] He resigned after only two seasons in November 2010 and cited family and personal reasons for the resignation.[18] During his two year stint as head coach, Lee led the Tigers to a record of 2–20.[18] Prior to his resignation, Lee notoriously skipped football practice to rake leaves at his home.