Davis’ past in rowing spans four decades, including more than 25 years as a coach. As an athlete, he rowed for Washington-Lee High School in Virginia, where he was a member of the last Varsity 8+ to win gold at the Royal Henley Regatta in England.

Davis continued his rowing career at the University of Virginia, where he won numerous competitions, including the Mid-American Championship and the Southern Collegiate Rowing Association Championship. During his time in Charlottesville, the Cavaliers finaled three times at the Dad Vail Small College Championships, earning a bronze medal in 1971. Davis spent all his undergraduate and graduate years at Virginia, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1973 and a master’s in counseling in 1977.

He started as the head coach of the University of Alabama-Huntsville varsity crew from 1977 to 81. Davis then came to Marist College in 1981. At Marist, Davis coached the men’s and women’s varsity crews and served as the school’s compliance officer. He led Marist to wins at the MAAC Championship Regatta and the New York State Small College Championships.

In 1983, Team USA competed at the World Championships in Germany and the Pan American Games in Venezuela, with the men’s 8+ winning gold at the Pan Am Games. The 1987 squad qualified for the World Championships in Denmark, and the men’s 8+ once again won gold. Davis also spent time with the United States National Team. In 1983, he was an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s Rowing team, and later, in 1987, he served as team manager.

After leaving Marist, Davis started coaching the Alabama Crew Club in 1998. In addition to his duties with the club team, he has served as the Director of Wellness and Aquatics at the YMCA of Tuscaloosa County. He stayed at Alabama as it transitioned from a club team to an NCAA Division I rowing program. Davis retired from Alabama.

In 2006 Davis became the Head Coach of Alabama Rowing, NCAA Divisions. Now in his 17th year in Tuscaloosa, Davis has been involved in the local rowing community for the vast majority of that time, still getting on the water himself on a regular basis.

Assistant Coaches

Pat Hancock - Freshman Men’s Coach 1981 - 1986

Don Seales - Freshman Men’s Coach 1986 - 1987

Nate Strong - Freshman Men’s Coach 1987 - 1990

Rob Casey - Freshman Men’s Coach 1990 - 1991

Rick Lambert - Freshman Men’s Coach 1991 - 1993