Davis introduced as football coach at McKinley

Brian Davis’ story isn’t uncommon.

Once he came to terms with the fact that he couldn’t play football professionally, Davis turned his sights to the next best thing:

Coaching.

Friday afternoon the Amherst native got a life dream fulfilled, being formally introduced as the new head football coach of the McKinley High School Macks, in a ceremony held in the school’s gymnasium.

“I’ve always wanted this,” Davis said. “To get a program like McKinley, I think it’s huge. It’s been traditionally great at football. To be named as head coach here, it’s an honor.”

I’m at @MackHighSchool awaiting the press conference to formally announce Brian Davis as @macksfootball coach pic.twitter.com/RvnfuKGsBC — Francis Boeck (@FrancisBoeck) August 2, 2019

Davis takes over the position from interim coach Micah Harris who will remain on staff.

Harris led the program last season after Brian Hillery stepped down less than a week before practice began.

The Macks reached the Class A playoffs after starting the season 0-2. They finished with a 4-4 overall record, 4-1 Class A2, ending with a loss to Starpoint in the quarterfinals.

Despite officially being tabbed as coach just three weeks from the beginning of the season, Davis is already familiar with the program and its players. He’s been working with the team since April when he became a teacher at McKinley.

“He knows a lot plus he played so he has a lot of experience,” junior Manvel Wright said of Davis. “I like his personality and the way he thinks. He’s a cool, calm coach but when its time to be serious he gets serious.”

Davis’ coaching staff is a mix of guys from the previous regime and coaches who he worked with at Bennett, where he spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach.

Story and video of the press conference will be on https://t.co/TXBNXqtT6Q later tonight@MackHighSchool pic.twitter.com/3d3b2dp0JP — Francis Boeck (@FrancisBoeck) August 2, 2019

The 29-year-old is a graduate of Williamsville North High School and played tailback at Division II Edinboro University. He led the Fighting Scots in rushing his senior year with 552 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Davis is the nephew of Bennett head coach Steve McDuffie.