After 14 years, Herbert Davis Jr. is returning to BrookhavenAcademy. During a Wednesday afternoon press conference in BA’s JohnR. Gray Gymnasium, Davis was introduced as the school’s new headfootball coach and director of student services.

Davis, 40, is a 1985 BA graduate. He coached the Cougars to theMPSA Class AA state championship in 1993. He replaces Bo Milton whoresigned last month to accept the position of head football coachat his alma mater, Parklane Academy in McComb.

“I put on some blue today,” said Davis, addressing the crowd. “Iwant to have as many (21 state championship) banners in the fieldhouse as we have in this gym.”

Davis coached Greenwood Pillow Academy to the AAAA state titlein 1997, also serving as the school’s athletic director. He hascoached four different teams in state title games, includingHeritage Academy in Columbus and Winston Academy in Louisville.

“First of all, we want to have fun,” said Davis, reviewing hisfootball philosophy. “You will learn hard work, dedication andleadership. You will learn what it takes to win championships. Youmust believe you can win, every time you set foot on thefield.”

Davis will begin his tenure at BA in January. “We will start ouroffseason weight training and conditioning program in Januaryinstead of waiting until June.”

Milton, who coached the Cougars to back-to-back district titles,will begin working at Parklane in January instead of May.

Chris Thurman, BA chairman of the school’s board of trustees,thanked Milton for his hard work “and raising the bar.”

“A leader’s job is to look into the future and determine wherewe are going,” said Thurman. He praised BA headmaster Dr. MillerHammill.

“I want to thank Dr. Hammill for his leadership,” said Thurman.”We appreciate you.”

Hammill complimented the board and the search committee’sefforts in selecting a new head coach. “They are strong supportersof Christian values.”

Reviewing the search for a new coach, Hammill said, “We startedpraying when the position came open. Herbert prayed too, at PillowAcademy.”

Hammill said Davis had compiled a 96-58 record as a head coach.”Herbert will bleed blue, just like your headmaster. He has been aquality coach in public and private schools.”

Davis was 15-7 in his last two years at Pillow. He also servedas middle school principal and dean of students.

“You have to play smart on defense,” Davis told the crowd. “Ilike to stunt and use different formations on defense. I like torun a spread offense.”

He coached at Northwest Community College in Senatobia in 2004,serving as defensive secondary coach. The Rangers were rankedfourth nationally in pass defense.

During his career, Davis also coached at Petal High School,Cruger-Tchula Academy, Indianola Academy, Southern ArkansasUniversity and Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He played on the1985 Co-Lin state championship team which was under the directionof Coach Ray Ishee, a former BA coach who Milton replaced.

Asked about his coaching career, Davis said he left BA in 1994with visions of becoming a college football coach. The longer hewas in the coaching business, the more he thought about movinghome. His family owns property and lives in the New Sight communityof Lincoln County.

“I’m going to live in my grandparents’ house while my wife andstepdaughter finish the school year at Pillow. She will graduate inMay.”

His wife, Darla, is a Greenwood native. They have threechildren. Chansley Hodge is a senior at Pillow. They have an11-year-old daughter, Makenzie; and a 9-year-old son, Hayden.

“My son and I love to deer hunt,” said Davis. “It will be greatto come back home. I prayed about it (job) for five days before Icalled Dr. Hammill.”

Davis said the new weight training facility at the BA fieldhouse was good. “We want to make some more improvements in thefield house.”

He said he wants to add another coach to the football staff.Baseball coach Stephen Cooksey and athletic director/girlsbasketball coach Barry Gray served on Milton’s staff.

After graduating from Co-Lin, Davis obtained a Bachelor ofScience degree in physical education at Mississippi College. Heearned a Master’s degree in PE at Delta State University.