At Drumright High School in Oklahoma, Leo James Davis Sr. laid the groundwork for an active career in athletics by lettering four years each in football, basketball, and baseball, as well as a couple in wrestling! He captained gridiron and diamond teams as a senior and made all-conference. Davis then went to Bethel College in 1927, where he was quarterback and football captain three years and lettered in basketball and baseball. Upon graduating in 1933, Davis became the Beetle’s head coach for the three major sports and in women’s basketball. Not needing much time to find success, his baseball and football teams won Mississippi Valley Conference titles in 1934 and 1935. Davis’ next stop was Memphis State in 1939, where he taught during World War II and instructed the Civilian Pilots Corps. He served as an assistant when Tiger football was revived in 1948 under Ralph Hatley, while at the same time coaching three years of baseball and compiling a 34-16 record. Davis continued to serve MSU as director of veteran affairs, an athletic committee member, and student center manager until his retirement in 1966 as associate professor emeritus. Leo passed away at the age of sixty-four, leaving behind memories of a fine career worthy of much praise and respect, serving the youth of Tennessee for thirty-nine years.
