Bill Davis (coach) facts for kids
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 4, 1941 Union, South Carolina |
| Died | March 17, 2002 (aged 60) Savannah, Georgia |
| Playing career | |
| 1961–1965 | Johnson C. Smith |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1965 | Sims HS (NC) |
| 1966–1968 | Maryland State (assistant) |
| 1969–1972 | Johnson C. Smith (assistant) |
| 1973–1978 | South Carolina State (assistant) |
| 1979–1985 | South Carolina State |
| 1986–1992 | Savannah State |
| 1993–1995 | Tennessee State |
| 1997–1998 | Johnson C. Smith |
| 2000–2001 | Savannah State |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1990–1993 | Savannah State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 123–100–1 (college) |
| Tournaments | 1–1 (NCAA D-I-AA playoffs) 0–1 (NCAA D-II playoffs) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 4 MEAC (1980–1983) | |
| Awards | |
| 2× MEAC Coach of the Year (1980–1981) | |
William R. Davis (born December 4, 1941 – died March 17, 2002) was a well-known American football coach. He led teams at several universities, including South Carolina State University, Savannah State University, Tennessee State University, and Johnson C. Smith University. Coach Davis was very successful, winning four championships with South Carolina State. His teams also played in important playoff games, like the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs. He helped Savannah State reach their only NCAA Division II playoffs.
Contents
About Bill Davis
His Early Life and School
Bill Davis was born on December 4, 1941. His dad, Lee Davis, Sr., was a truck driver, and his mom, Gertrude Stevens-Davis, worked as a housekeeper. Bill was the youngest of three children.
He went to Sims High School and graduated in 1961. Bill was an amazing athlete there, playing many different sports. Because he was so good, he earned a special scholarship to attend Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. At Johnson C. Smith, he played football and was recognized as an "all-CIAA" player, which means he was one of the best in his college sports conference. His coach, Eddie McGirt, was a big influence on him.
Starting His Coaching Journey
After college, Bill Davis went back to his hometown. He coached at Sims High School for one year in 1965. In 1966, he became an assistant coach at Maryland State College, which is now called the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. He worked there until 1969.
Then, he returned to his old university, Johnson C. Smith. He worked for four seasons with his former college coach and mentor, Eddie McGirt. In 1973, Davis joined his childhood friend, Willie Jeffries, at South Carolina State College (now South Carolina State University). He worked with Jeffries for six seasons. When Jeffries left in 1979, Bill Davis took over as the head coach for the Bulldogs.
On August 20, 1966, Bill Davis married Amy Ozzietta Thompson. They had two children together, William Robert, Jr., and Tomeka Mamette.
Bill Davis's Coaching Career Highlights
Leading South Carolina State
Bill Davis was an assistant coach for six seasons (1973–1978) at South Carolina State. In 1979, he became the head coach. He coached the team until 1985, and during that time, his record was 53 wins, 25 losses, and 1 tie.
- 1980 Season: His team had an amazing 10 wins and only 1 loss. They won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship that year.
- 1981 Season: The team finished with 10 wins and 3 losses. They were named the national champions for black colleges and won the MEAC championship again.
- 1982 Season: They continued their success with 9 wins and 3 losses, earning their third MEAC title in a row.
- 1983 Season: The team won another MEAC championship with a record of 7 wins and 3 losses.
Coaching at Savannah State
Coach Davis was the head football coach at Savannah State College from 1986 to 1992. He also returned to coach Savannah State University from 2000 until he passed away in 2002. During his time there, the Tigers had a record of 52 wins and 40 losses. In 1992, his team made their only appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs, which was a big achievement for the school.
Time at Tennessee State
From 1993 to 1995, Bill Davis was the head coach at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. He coached for three seasons there, with a record of 11 wins and 22 losses.
Return to Johnson C. Smith
In 1997, Coach Davis became the head coach at Johnson C. Smith University, his old college. He coached there for two seasons, with a record of 8 wins and 12 losses.
Overall Coaching Achievements
Coach Bill Davis had a long and impactful career in college football. Across all the teams he coached, his overall record was 123 wins, 100 losses, and 1 tie. He was known for his success at South Carolina State, where he won four conference championships and led his teams to important playoff games. He also helped Savannah State achieve a significant playoff appearance.
