Billy Davis (American football coach)


William C. Davis Jr. is an American football coach who is the linebackers coach for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League.
A 24-year NFL assistant, Davis's resume includes defensive coordinator positions with Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco in addition to his three seasons with the Eagles. He has also coached linebackers for eight seasons in the National Football League, with Atlanta, the New York Giants, Arizona and Cleveland.
He was a member of Ken Whisenhunt’s Arizona Cardinals staff in 2008 when the team advanced to Super Bowl XLIII and played Pittsburgh.

Early life

Davis was born on November 5, 1965 in Youngstown, Ohio. His father, Bill Davis, coached in the NFL for 13 years, included the six years he was the Cleveland Browns' vice president of player personnel. As a youth, Davis was hired to be a ball boy for Dick Vermeil in Philadelphia and Don Shula in Miami.

College years

Davis attended the University of Cincinnati and was a quarterback and wide receiver on the football team from 1985 to 1988. Davis met Urban Meyer during this time and was the best man in his wedding.

Coaching career

Michigan State

Davis began his football coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Michigan State Spartans.

Pittsburgh Steelers

In 1992, Davis entered the NFL as the defensive assistant for the Pittsburgh Steelers. For most of his football career, Davis had played and coached on the offensive side of the ball, but under head coach Bill Cowher, Davis coached the Pittsburgh defense for three years.

Carolina Panthers

In 1995, under coach Dom Capers, Davis spent four years with the newly created Carolina Panthers. In his second year with Carolina, linebacker Kevin Greene finished first in the NFL in sacks with 14.5, and Lamar Lathon finished second in the NFL in sacks with 13.5. Both linebackers went to the Pro Bowl that year.

Cleveland Browns

In 1999, Davis spent a year as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach with the Cleveland Browns.

Green Bay Packers

In 2000, Davis went to the Green Bay Packers where he spent the year as a defensive assistant and line coach.

Atlanta Falcons

Davis then went to the Atlanta Falcons in 2001, where he spent the next three seasons as the linebackers coach under Dan Reeves. Davis helped then defensive coordinator Wade Phillips implement his new 3-4 defense. During Davis' three years at Atlanta, linebacker Keith Brooking went to the Pro Bowl each year.

New York Giants

Davis was the New York Giants linebackers coach in 2004. According to defensive coordinator Tim Lewis, Bill commanded the room whenever speaking to players and compiled blitz packages, a job usually done by the defensive coordinator.

San Francisco 49ers

On February 6, 2005, Davis was hired by San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan to be the defensive coordinator on the team after a six-hour interview. One of the reasons Davis got the job was because he had experience with the 3-4 defense that Nolan wanted to implement in San Francisco's defense and a recommendation Nolan got from New York Giants DC Tim Lewis.

Arizona Cardinals

He was the Assistant Defense coach for the Arizona Cardinals when they went to the Super Bowl, eventually losing to the Steelers. He was Defensive coordinator in 2009 and 2010.

Cleveland Browns

On January 31, 2011 it was announced that Davis was hired as the linebackers coach.

Philadelphia Eagles

On February 7, 2013, it was announced that Davis was hired as the Defensive Coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles.
On January 19, 2016, Davis was not retained after new head coach Doug Pederson hired Jim Schwartz to replace him.

Ohio State

In December 2016 it was announced that he will be hired to the Ohio State football defensive staff..

Arizona Cardinals (second stint)

On January 11, 2019, Davis was hired by the Arizona Cardinals to be their linebackers coach under new head coach, Kliff Kingsbury.

Personal life

Bill Davis lives with his wife, Sherry, and they are the parents of five children: Monica, Brooke, twins Grace and Ava and son Billy.