Shane Davis, like many in the high school coaching profession, has worked at his share of places.
However, Davis may have very well found a place to call home for a long time in Winder at Apalachee High School.
Davis, has guided the Wildcats to a perfect 10-0 regular season, the first region title in school history and has helped the program earn the right to host state playoff games. All-in-all, it has been a remarkable ride for a coach who is now in his fifth season at AHS.
“When I got here I didn’t put a timetable on anything,” Davis said. “We weren’t looking to win a certain number of games by a certain year. The first thing we really wanted to do was get to the playoffs. If you can do that consistently, than you are in a position to be successful. We’ve been able to do that for the last four years.”
After a 1-9 start in his initial season as head coach, Davis has guided his Wildcats to postseason each year culminating with this season’s 10-0 regular season and Region 8-AAAA crown.
“Going 10-0 was never something I thought about,” the coach said. “It’s rare to do, although all coaches never want to lose any games. You simply look at winning as many as you can.”
There have been several keys to the program’s success under Davis’ guidance. First, the coach pushed a vigorous weight training program which has seen his players win several state championships. Gaining confidence of his players has also been a key, he said.
“A lot of the confidence comes from going to the postseason,” Davis said. “We want to work year around. The players expect to be successful now and have good things happen. It’s one of those things which has separated us this year from the past ones. All year long our kids have gone into games playing to win. In the past, I think we hoped to win.”
The journey Davis took to Apalachee is the long and winding one many of his coaching colleagues share. Davis began his career at Butler High School in Augusta from 1992-93. He initially was a junior varsity coach before receiving varsity duties.
He then moved to Monticello High School from 1994-96 where he was also the varsity baseball coach. Davis, through the years, also enjoyed success on the baseball diamond. While at Monticello, he coached the team to the playoffs for the first time and to its first region title. His baseball teams made the playoffs two of three seasons.
After a season at Johnson County High School in 1997 as assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator, Davis moved to Morgan County High School for two years where he helped coach varsity football and was once again a head baseball coach, leading the Diamond Doggs to the postseason.
He was assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Oconee County High School from 2000-2001 and at Elbert County from 2002-2004.
It was then that an unknown name to Barrow County residents was hired as head football coach at Apalachee High School.
Davis credits his family for their support including wife Kim and daughters Anna (11) and Abby (9).
“It has been quite a journey getting to this point,” Davis said. “There has been some moving around, but that comes with the profession. We are thrilled to be at Apalachee and are glad to have built something special here.”
