Experts rejoice!
Florida A&M Football Special Teams Coordinator Chili Davis has been selected to present at the 2023 American Football Coaches’ Association convention following his first season with the Rattlers.
Davis, of Chesapeake, Va., has been a member of the AFCA since joining the coaching ranks at his alma mater Campbell University in 2012.
The convention will take place Jan. 8-10 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will feature coaches from all college football divisions and high school coaches.
“I’m super excited to be able to speak at the convention and share my knowledge and experiences,” Davis said. “I’ve been blessed by the convention for many years and I hope it blesses someone to help them have better special teams units.”
FAMU head coach Willie Simmons and the rest of his team will also be in attendance as the AFCA helps football players develop professionally. Simmons, also a member of the FCS Coaches Committee, has also presented at the AFCA convention for the past few years.
“I’m very happy that Chili can step up and present at the AFCA – it’s a huge accomplishment,” Simmons said. “The work he has done this year has been nothing short of amazing.
“Having Power 5, group of five, all the way to NAIA coaches, hearing him talk about special teams and his passion is a great opportunity for (Chile) and our brand. It helps people know that we have coaches from quality here on the highest of the seven hills.”
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Davis to explain his coaching philosophy and move up the coaching ladder
Prior to FAMU, Davis coached at Campbell, Louisiana Tech, Fordham, New Mexico State and Washington.
Most notably, he helped Louisiana Tech win the 2015 New Orleans Bowl as an offensive assistant with running backs. Two years later, he won the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl in the 2017 season with New Mexico State to end their 57-year drought as the team’s wide receiver coach.
Davis was hired last May after spring training camp to oversee the Rattlers’ special teams unit for the 2022 football season.
“I’m going to talk about my background and the places I’ve been,” he said. “I learned so much every step of the way, whether it was how we did things as a program or the positions I coached – it all played a big part in the coach I am today. .
“It’s wise that you bring everything you’ve experienced with you on your trip. I’m definitely going to bring a lot that I’ve learned and been a part of in other places – not just for this presentation . , but also to my career.”
In his freshman year with FAMU, Davis produced two all-conference conferences under his tutelage with punter Chris Faddoul and kicker Jose Romo-Martinez both named to the Southwestern Athletic Conference first team last year.
Both were also named to the HBCU BOXTOROW All-American team as Faddoul led the SWAC in punt average (43 yards per attempt) and Romo-Martinez led the conference with 17 field goal attempts.
Davis plans to present his approach to leading the FAMU Special Teams Unit.
“I thought about it and prepared a presentation,” he said. “I can’t wait to show the guys the philosophy of our special teams and some organizational things. Then I’ll get into a movie and drills to show how we develop our guys here at FAMU.”
A great pride for the special teams and the FAMU to be there
From player to coach, special teams have been good for Davis.
Davis’ primary positions were running back and defensive back while playing college football at Campbell. His Swiss army knife skills have allowed him to be a regular in the Camels’ special teams unit.
Those days on special teams allowed him to put his shine on the Rattlers and gain national recognition as he takes center stage in front of the AFCA.
“I have a lot of pride and excitement when it comes to special teams,” Davis said. “It’s been a big part of my playing career and it’s been a big part of my coaching career as well.
“I love developing specialists with everyone else in the team. It’s a close-knit community that we have as special teams coaches and we know it’s important to develop every player and we have can’t wait to do it.”
With FAMU being the final chapter of his coaching career, all Davis wants to do is properly represent the institution and the football program.
And that’s the part that makes him the most proud to be the spokesperson for FAMU and special teams nationwide starting Sunday.
“I can’t wait to play for the Rattlers,” Davis said. “I know how much it means to the players because they have reached out and congratulated me because we know how much we have invested in it as coaches and as players.
“Having this support and being able to represent this great school and this program really means a lot to me.”
Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him by email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.
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