Bill Davis (coach)

William R. Davis (December 4, 1941 – March 17, 2002) was an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at South Carolina State University, Savannah State University, Tennessee State University, and Johnson C. Smith University.[1] Davis won four conference championships and made two appearances in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs at South Carolina State. Under Davis, Savannah State posted its only appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs.[2]

Bill Davis
Biographical details
Born(1941-12-04)December 4, 1941
Union, South Carolina
DiedMarch 17, 2002(2002-03-17) (aged 60)
Savannah, Georgia
Playing career
1961–1965Johnson C. Smith
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1965Sims HS (NC)
1966–1968Maryland State (assistant)
1969–1972Johnson C. Smith (assistant)
1973–1978South Carolina State (assistant)
1979–1985South Carolina State
1986–1992Savannah State
1993–1995Tennessee State
1997–1998Johnson C. Smith
2000–2001Savannah State
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1990–1993Savannah State
Head coaching record
Overall123–100–1 (college)
Tournaments1–1 (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)

Early life

Davis was the son of Lee Davis, Sr. truck driver, and Gertrude Stevens-Davis, a domestic housekeeper, and the youngest of three children. He graduated from Sims High School in 1961, where he was an exceptional athlete, lettering in all sports. He earned a four-year scholarship that same year to attend Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was coached under the leadership of Eddie McGirt; it was at Johnson C. Smith that Davis was an all CIAA standout in football.

Upon graduation from college, Davis returned to his hometown to coach at Sims High School for a year. In 1966, Davis was hired by Sandy Gilliam to coach at Maryland State College—now known as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore—where he served until 1969 to return to his alma mater Johnson C. Smith University where he worked with his college coach and mentor Eddie McGirt for four seasons. In 1973, Davis went to work alongside his childhood friend Willie Jeffries at South Carolina State College—now known as South Carolina State University—where he worked with Jefferies for six seasons until Jefferies took the post at Wichita State University in 1979. It was Davis that succeeded Jefferies to coach the Bulldogs until 1986.

Coaching career

South Carolina State

Davis served as an assistant coach for Willie Jeffries for six seasons (1973–1978) before succeeding Jeffries as the Bulldogs head coach in 1979.[2] Davis was the head football coach at South Carolina State University from 1979 until 1985 and compiled a 53–25–1 record as head coach.[1] The team's 10–1 record in 1980 resulted in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship. In 1981 the team completed the season with a 10–3 record and was named the black college football national champions and the MEAC champion. The 1982 team record was 9–3 and resulted in a third consecutive MEAC title. The 1983 team's record was 7–3 and won another MEAC title.[1]

Savannah State

Davis served as the head football coach at Savannah State College from 1986 to 1992 and Savannah State University from 2000 until his death in 2002 .[1] Under Davis, the Tigers compiled a 52–40 record and posted their only appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs in 1992.[1]

Tennessee State

Davis was the 17th head coach at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, serving for three seasons, from 1993 to 1995. His record at Tennessee State was 11–22.[3]

Johnson C. Smith

Davis became head coach at Johnson C. Smith in 1997, serving for two seasons.[1] His record was 8–12.[1]

Head coaching record
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs NCAA# AFCA°
South Carolina State Bulldogs (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) (1979–1985)
1979 South Carolina State 8–34–12ndW Gold Bowl
1980 South Carolina State 10–15–01stT–3
1981 South Carolina State 10–35–01stL NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal3
1982 South Carolina State 9–34–11stL NCAA Division I-AA Quarterfinal7
1983 South Carolina State 7–34–01st18
1984 South Carolina State 4–6–12–23rd
1985 South Carolina State 5–62–23rd
South Carolina State: 53–25–126–6
Savannah State Tigers (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) (1986–1992)
1986 Savannah State 6–44–3
1987 Savannah State 4–63–4
1988 Savannah State 7–36–1T–2nd
1989 Savannah State 8–10–0NA
1990 Savannah State 7–45–24th
1991 Savannah State 7–44–36th
1992 Savannah State 8–45–23rdL NCAA Division II First RoundT–20
Tennessee State Tigers (Ohio Valley Conference) (1993–1995)
1993 Tennessee State 4–74–4T–4th
1994 Tennessee State 5–64–4T–4th
1995 Tennessee State 2–91–7T–8th
Tennessee State: 11–229–15
Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) (1997–1998)
1997 Johnson C. Smith 2–81–6T–8th
1998 Johnson C. Smith 6–44–3T–3rd
Johnson C. Smith: 8–125–9
Savannah State Tigers (NCAA Division I-AA independent) (2000–2001)
2000 Savannah State 2–8
2001 Savannah State 2–7
Savannah State: 51–4127–15
Total:123–100–1
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth
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References
  1. "William R. "Bill" Davis Records by Year". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved August 25, 2008.
  2. "Services For Former SCSU Football Coach Bill Davis Set for Friday". Archived from the original on July 5, 2008.
  3. "Tennessee State University coaching records". Archived from the original on July 28, 2014.
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