The 2023 season will be A.J. Davis' fourth on Seth Smith's coaching staff.

Smith and Davis reunited ahead of the 2020 season after a successful run together at East Central High School. Smith assigned Davis to assist PRCC Offensive Coordinator David Chatham with the running backs.

Davis made an impact on both sides of the ball before really breaking out as a senior in 2015 when he rushed for 2,893 yards and 25 touchdowns. The campaign earned him All-State recognition as well as numerous other honors, including being named the Region 8-4A Offensive MVP and landing a spot on the Sun Herald’s prestigious All-South Mississippi team.

“He was one of the toughest kids I ever coached,” Smith said. “His mentality and mindset, bringing that to the program is huge. He understands the kind of culture we have. He’s one of our own, so to speak. 

“He’ll know exactly how we want to coach the kids and what kind of energy we want from the coaches because he’s seen it and lived it.”

Davis signed with East Central Community College, where he played for two years before moving on to Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. While with the Yellowjackets, Davis got his first coaching experience as the assistant running backs coach. Davis was also the equipment manager.

“We used to say he’d be an awesome football coach. He’s just that kind of guy,” Smith said. “He’s a football guy. Loved it. Always bouncing around. When you thought about A.J., you thought about football.”

After a semester on the sidelines at GU, Davis is back in South Mississippi as part of Smith’s first staff at PRCC.

“About a year ago he came and saw me in Hurley and said he was thinking about being a trooper,” Smith said. “I told him he could be great at that but in my opinion he could be an even better coach — and here we are a year later.”