Football
- Title:
- Offensive Line
- Joined Mizzou:
- 2nd Season
In his first year at Mizzou in 2018, Assistant Coach Brad Davis made a lasting impact with the Tiger offensive line, and helped transform the unit into one of the SEC's more physical lines. After being known as more of a finesse-rooted line in previous years prior to his arrival, Davis got to work right away to turn his group into a hard-nosed one that could take a game over in crunch time and control the ball when called for.
His group responded well, as the offensive line was a major reason behind Mizzou's eight-win season and berth in the 2018 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Look no further than the time of possession category to see the results - in 2018 Mizzou ranked 40th nationally (sixth in the SEC) averaging 30:53 of clock time. That was a massive improvement from 2017, when the Tigers ranked next-to-last in the country (128th out of 129 teams) in time of possession, averaging just 25:01 per game.
While the Tigers became less of a quick-strike, all-or-nothing attack, and more of a balanced, ball-control outfit, Davis' line still paved the way for impressive numbers that made Mizzou's offense one of the nation's most potent. Mizzou ended the 2018 regular season ranked 13th nationally (third in the SEC) in total offense (481.8 avg.), 18th nationally (third in the SEC) in scoring (36.6 avg.) and 18th nationally (third in the SEC) in third down conversions (46.4%). His line was especially stout once again at preventing negative plays -- Mizzou ranked sixth nationally (first in the SEC) in fewest tackles for loss allowed (4.00 avg.) and eighth nationally (first in the SEC) in fewest quarterback sacks allowed (1.00 avg.).
Individually, Davis' group was led by junior RG Tre'Vour Wallace-Simms, who made enough of an impression on league media to win first-team All-SEC honors by the Associated Press, becoming Mizzou's first offensive lineman to win first-team All-SEC honors since 2013 (Justin Britt).
Davis joined Head Coach Barry Odom's coaching staff in December of 2017. He came to Mizzou after spending the 2017 season at Florida as o-line coach, and he brought with him 15 years of coaching experience, including the previous nine seasons running the offensive line at a variety of stops, during which time he coached 13 linemen to all-conference honors.
At Florida, the Gator offense was beset with injuries throughout the 2017 season, and Davis’ offensive line was extremely young, as there wasn’t a single senior in the two-deep by the end of the season. Despite the challenges, Florida still managed to rush for at least 165 yards in six consecutive games at one stretch, which was the longest streak for the program since 2009. In addition, Florida ran for more than 200 yards in three contests, while the Gator offense ranked second nationally in red zone scoring – converting at a 96.8 percent clip (30-of-31).
“I’m very pleased to have Brad and his family join our program,” said Odom. “He’s a tremendous teacher and mentor, and he’s been lights out on the recruiting trail with his approach to building true relationships with kids. Brad has experience in the SEC and he has worked hard to earn a great amount of respect among his peers. I’m excited to have him with us, and I know he is going to do a great job helping us move forward offensively and continue building,” he said.
“I’m extremely excited to join Coach Odom and his staff at Mizzou and help build on the foundation these guys have already laid,” said Davis. “In playing against these guys this year, I saw a team that played hard, played physical and that enjoyed playing together. With Coach Odom, it was an easy sell, because of his passion for the University of Missouri. Even from afar, that’s something I’ve always admired about him, not only his commitment to the school and to his kids, but really for advancing the program in any way possible. For me, the opportunity to join his program and to continue the mission that he started there, I couldn’t be more excited to do that. I can’t wait to get to work; I can’t wait to help these guys continue the path they’ve been on. I’m excited to get there and to meet all the linemen, they’ve done a fantastic job this year, and I certainly want to continue the trend of keeping these guys going the right direction and getting better daily,” Davis said.
At East Carolina, Davis’ line helped pave the way for the duo of running back Chris Hairston and quarterback James Summers to combine for 1,200 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns.
Prior to ECU, Davis played a key role in guiding prolific offenses at James Madison and Portland State. He was the JMU co-offensive coordinator and line coach during the 2014 campaign, and helped the Dukes to a 9-4 overall mark and the school’s first Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff appearance since 2011 after a third-place finish in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Davis and James Madison stood 10th nationally in total offense with a 484.6 yards-per-game average that year, and ranked 17th in scoring with a 35.7 points-per-game clip and 21st in both rushing and passing. Behind the play of Associated Press Third-Team All-America quarterback Vad Lee, the Dukes established numerous school records, including passing completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns. In addition to Lee and receiver Daniel Brown, Davis also had a direct impact on the development of another All-CAA performer, offensive lineman Mitchell Kirsch.
Before joining JMU in 2014, Davis spent five years at Portland State, serving as the run-game coordinator and offensive line coach as part of the program’s pistol package. Under Davis, the Vikings had 10 players earn All-Big Sky Conference honors while ranking among the nation’s leaders in fewest sacks allowed.
In 2013, senior tackle Mitchell Van Dyk was named First-Team All-Big Sky and also earned third-team All-America honors by The Sports Network. The 2013 season was a record-breaking one for PSU. Davis helped lead Portland State to the Big Sky’s total offense crown, second in rushing offense and third in scoring offense, while ranking third at the FCS level in rushing offense and total offense. The Vikings also set school records with 6,486 total yards, 3,330 rushing yards, a 277.7 rushing average, 540.5 total offense average and 36 rushing touchdowns. While there, he worked with standout center Cornelius Edison, and tight end Julius Thomas. Edison later won the Rimington Award for the best center in the FCS in 2014, and is now with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, while Thomas is now with the Miami Dolphins.
In his last two years at PSU, his line surrendered only a combined 19 sacks to rank ninth (2013) and fifth (2012) nationally, respectively.
Davis was an offensive line staff assistant at North Carolina in 2008 and also spent two years as a defensive line graduate assistant at Texas A&M, as well as a coaching stint at Doane (Neb.) College in 2005 and 2006.
Additionally, he has been credited for developing five players who earned roster positions in the National Football League in the same time frame. Davis has also served two separate NFL summer internships, working with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011 and Seattle Seahawks in 2012.
Davis, a Baton Rouge, La., native, is a 2003 graduate of the University of Oklahoma where he was a starting offensive lineman for the Sooners. He competed on two Big 12 championship teams, the 2000 National Championship squad and played in the Independence Bowl (1999), Orange Bowl (2001), Cotton Bowl (2002) and Rose Bowl (2003). Davis was named the team’s Most Valuable Offensive Lineman in 2002. Davis, 37, and his wife, Anecia, have two sons, Bradley and Brayden.
Brad Davis File
Coaching History:
2017 – Florida – Offensive Line
2016 – North Texas – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
2015 – East Carolina – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
2014 – James Madison – Offensive Line/Co-Offensive Coordinator
2009-13 – Portland State – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
2008 – North Carolina – Offensive Line Graduate Assistant
2006-07 – Texas A&M – Defensive Line Graduate Assistant
2005 – Doane College – Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator
2005 – Wayne State – Offensive Line Graduate Assistant
2003-04 – Southern University Lab School – Offensive Line/Co-Offensive Coordinator
Bowl Games:
North Texas (1) – Heart of Dallas, 2016.
James Madison (1) – FCS Playoffs, 2014.
North Carolina (1) – Meineke Car Care, 2008.
Texas A&M (2) – Alamo, 2007; Holiday, 2006.
Playing Experience:
1999-2002 – Oklahoma – Offensive Lineman
Education:
2003 – Oklahoma – Education.
Family:
Wife - Anecia; Sons – Bradley and Brayden.
Birthdate:
February 17, 1980.
