photo Journal & Courier
I met Doug Davis when I brought my interns to the Ohio State University for a professional development trip. My good friend tom Palumbo who as the assistant director for Olympic Sports for the Buckeyes at the time brought us over the Woody Hayes center to see the football facilities.
When I learned Darrel Hazel was bringing Davis with him when he was hired at Kent State University, I was extremely happy for Doug. His reputation of being a high quality character coach matched that of Hazel who I met when he spoke at the Keith Piper Memorial Football Clinic. Not sure if you could find two coaches that cared for their athletes more than those two.
One of my former interns coached at Purdue and I am also hearing so many of my colleagues recollections of the type of man Davis was. The impact he had on his athletes and other coaches will be sorely missed. The entire Elitefts family offers condolences to Doug's family and everyone else who was a part of his life. A life ended to soon.
Doug Davis: 1981-2015
From Purdue University Sports Information
Purdue senior associate director of sports performance Doug Davis has passed away following an illness. He was 33.
"My heart and the heart of the Purdue family is saddened by the loss of Doug Davis," head football coach Darrell Hazell said. "He will surely be missed. He was a great man, who worked tirelessly to make people better. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."
Davis joined the Boilermaker staff in 2013. He came to Purdue after spending the 2011 and 2012 seasons working with Hazell at Kent State. From 2007 to 2010, Davis was a strength assistant at Ohio State University, where Hazell was the wide receivers coach.
Prior to his stint at Ohio State, Davis was a strength and conditioning coach at the University of South Florida. He earned his bachelor's degree from Ohio Dominican University in 2004 and his master's degree in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania in 2009.
Purdue strength coach, 33, dies
My first encounter with Doug Davis was March 19, 2013.
"Glad you're here," Davis said enthusiastically, coming over to shake my hand.
It was the first day of Purdue spring football practice inside the Mollenkopf Athletic Center to begin the Darrell Hazell era.
Davis was roaming the sidelines just like those in the media, who were enjoying a full open practice for the first time. He noticed the yellow pass and decided to introduce himself. He was new, just like nearly all of the coaches and support staff Hazell had brought to West Lafayette.
It was easy to recall that moment Wednesday after learning Davis passed away following an illness. He was 33.
Full energy. This was Davis, who served as senior associate director of sports performance. He was also demanding. This was evident from the start.
Those who wanted to be pushed welcomed Davis' instruction. Those who didn't tried to hide. There was no hiding from Davis.
It's clear Davis had an impact on the current group of Boilermakers. Most of his work was done behind the scenes.
"You know what I mean" RIP to a man that brought the JUICE everyday! Coach Davis you were a huge part of what I am today Love Ya D.D," redshirt offensive lineman Kirk Barron posted on his Twitter account.
Hazell worked closely with Davis. He was part of his staff at Kent State and became acquainted with Hazell when the two were at Ohio State.
Davis moved with Hazell because he believes in him. Clearly, Hazell believed in Davis.
"My heart and the heart of the Purdue family is saddened by the loss of Doug Davis," Hazel said in a statement. "He will surely be missed. He was a great man, who worked tirelessly to make people better. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."
Prior to joining Ohio State, Davis was a strength and conditioning coach at the University of South Florida. He earned his bachelor's degree from Ohio Dominican University in 2004 and his master's degree in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania in 2009.
Read the original article here
Source: http://www.indystar.com
Doug Davis
Senior associate director of sports performance
Davis joined the Purdue staff in 2013 after spending the previous two seasons with Hazell at Kent State. Davis spent the previous four years as a strength assistant at Ohio State University where Hazell was the wide receivers coach. He arrived at OSU as an assistant strength coach in January of 2007, before moving to strength and conditioning coordinator in May of 2008.
He designed and implemented the year-round strength, speed and conditioning program for the Buckeyes. He specifically trained the Ohio State wide receivers and defensive backs on a daily basis and also prepared a number of Buckeyes entering the NFL Draft. Specifically, he coordinated the training of seven Buckeyes selected in the 2009 draft, including first-round picks Malcolm Jenkins and Chris Wells.
Prior to his stint at Ohio State, Davis was a strength and conditioning coach at the University of South Florida, working with the football team and the sprinters, hurdlers, and jumpers on the Bulls' track and field team.
Davis is Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, has a USA Weightlifting Club Coach Certification and holds certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) and from the National Association of Speed and Explosion.
Davis earned his bachelor's degree from Ohio Dominican University in 2004 and his master's degree in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania in 2009.
Quoting Coach Hazell -"Known to be one of the best strength coaches in the country, Doug is a phenomenal motivator with a wealth of old and new training knowledge. He has a great relationship with the players he trains and gets every ounce out of each one of his athletes. He trains guys to be game-ready and to win football games."
1 Comment