Akeem Davis, who served alongside head football coach Scotty Walden at Southern Miss, returns for his second season as the program’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Prior to his time in Clarksville, Davis was a member of the Southern Miss coaching staff for four seasons beginning as a defensive graduate assistant for the 2017 and 2018 seasons. After earning his master’s degree in sports administration from Southern Miss, he was elevated to USM’s cornerbacks coach prior to the 2019 season. Davis moved to the Golden Eagles’ running backs coach before the 2020 fall season.
A Memphis graduate, Davis was an undrafted free agent signee by the NFL’s Washington Football Team in 2014 and spent parts of three seasons on the active roster at Washington, New Orleans, Seattle, Indianapolis, and Jacksonville. He played 21 games in the NFL, finishing with 11 tackles and a fumble forced. The NFL Network documented Davis’ journey from undrafted free agent to making a 53-man NFL roster in its “Undrafted” series.
Off the field, Davis established the AD47 Football Leadership Academy. AD47 is a free, one-day football skills camp dedicated to implementing the “Five Pillars” core curriculum of Character, Leadership, Discipline, Follow-through, and Grit. The academy is sanctioned and insured by the NFL Foundation and run in partnership with USA Football through the FUNdamentals program.
The inaugural AD47 was held in Laurel, Mississippi, in June 2015 and featured 53 school children, ages 8-12 from across the greater Laurel region. In 2016, it expanded to 100 children and has been at full capacity each summer since.
Davis is married to the former Sierra Byrd and the couple have a daughter, Carsyn, and son, CJ.
DAVIS’ CAREER SUMMARY
AUSTIN PEAY (2020-21)
2021: Govs defensive unit was second among FCS programs with 19 interceptions, fifth in passing efficiency defense (106.20), and 11th in the subdivision with three defensive touchdowns. Koby Perry was a Consensus All-American and OVC Defensive Player of the Year after an 85-tackle season that included two interceptions. Johnathan Edwards joined him with First Team All-OVC honors and Consensus All-American status with a seven-interception campaign that was second most in program history.
2020: Named Governors co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, Jan. 5, 2021. In his first season, Austin Peay defenders picked off seven passes in Ohio Valley Conference play and held opposing quarterbacks to a 108.6 pass efficiency rating that was ranked third among OVC teams.
SOUTHERN MISS (2017-20)
2020: Headed USM’s running back group that averaged 159 rushing yards per game – 41.5 yards per game more than the previous season. He also coached Frank Gore Jr. to Second Team All-Conference USA and C-USA All-Freshman Team honors after a 708-yard campaign that also saw him post 805 all-purpose yards in 10 games.
2019: Elevated to defensive backs coach and coached First Team All-Conference USA selection DQ Thomas, who had three interceptions and a pick-six during the season. Defensive backs Ky’el Hemby and Rachuan Mitchell were 2019 Conference USA Honorable Mention selections. USM participated in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
2018: USM defense improved to No. 3 in defensive yards allowed (274.8) as his involvement continued to increase. Earned his master’s degree in sports administration in spring 2019. Coached defensive back Picasso Nelson Jr. who was an undrafted free agent signee of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019.
2017: Joined Golden Eagles coaching staff as a defensive graduate assistant. The Golden Eagles boasted the nation’s No. 20 defense (331.9 ypg) in his first season in Hattiesburg, recording eight wins and reaching the Independence Bowl. Coached two players selected in the 2018 NFL Draft: safety Tarvarius Moore who was third round pick by the San Francisco 49ers and defensive back Cornell Armstrong who was a sixth round selection by the Miami Dolphins.
PROFESSIONAL PLAYING CAREER (2014-16)
Davis was an undrafted free agent signee by the NFL’s Washington Football Team in 2014 and spent parts of three seasons on the active roster at Washington, New Orleans, Seattle, Indianapolis, and Jacksonville. He played 21 games in the NFL, finishing with 11 tackles and a fumble forced. The NFL Network documented Davis’ journey from undrafted free agent to making a 53-man NFL roster in its “Undrafted” series.
COLLEGIATE PLAYING CAREER (2010-12)
Before his professional career, Davis played three seasons at Memphis and was team captain twice. He ultimately appeared in 34 games (24 starts) for the Tigers with 162 tackles, three interceptions, five fumbles forced, and seven fumbles recovered. Davis graduated from Memphis with his bachelor’s degree in finance.
