Portland State assistant Brad Davis a rising star on the line
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When Nigel Burton first met Brad Davis at a coaching academy the NCAA held for up and coming coaches in 2007, he felt an instant kinship. Davis, then 27, was a graduate assistant at Texas A&M, while Burton was coaching Oregon State's secondary. Burton remembers being impressed by Davis' knowledge of the game and approach to dealing with student athletes, but most of all he remembers the massive tome on coaching Davis was toting around.
"He showed me a manual that he had that looked like a bible or a phonebook," Burton recalled. "It had every drill he'd ever run, how to coach linemen, what's important -- it was just top to bottom unbelievable."
Burton asked for and made a copy of the book, and the two young coaches stayed in touch. In Davis and Davis' manual, Burton saw the same principles and dedication that he valued. He knew he had met a rising star in the profession, but he never could have guessed that three years later that star would be working for him and leading one of the nation's best offensive lines.
Thanks in large part to his offensive line, the Vikings led the Big Sky Conference in rushing the past two seasons and allowed the fewest sacks in the league last year. This year the Vikings have allowed only three sacks all year, third-fewest in the nation, and are again among the nation's most prolific rushing attacks.
"We want to be the number one offensive line in terms of, we want to be the best run blocking team in the country and the best unit in the country protecting the quarterback," Davis said. "We want to protect that quarterback. We don't want people touching him. That's our priority."
Unlikely lineman
At 6-foot, 300-pounds, Davis, 32, doesn't exactly look like an offensive lineman for a top Division I team, but he was just that at Oklahoma from 1999-2002.
"I had to fight and claw and scratch to get on the field," he said. "There's no reason I should have played at Oklahoma. I wouldn't have recruited me, in terms of my physical abilities. I think I have a lot of courage and toughness and that's what helped me."
Those characteristics were tested when his senior year was cut short by a serious ankle injury. Davis said the injury helped crystallize the philosophy he now strives to impart to his players.
"It was just a reminder that (playing football) is a privilege, not a right, and it can be taken away from you at any second," he said. "So why waste an opportunity to be the best at it while you can? You've got the rest of your life to be average. There are a million average people walking around this country every day, why not be special?"
Depth, discipline
When then-coach Jerry Glanville hired Davis at Portland State in 2009, the Vikings run game was anything but special. The Vikings run-and-shoot offense put a premium on pass blocking and all but neglected the run. In 2008 Portland State had the top passing attack in the FCS and the fewest yards rushing. Over his four years on the Park Blocks, Davis has replaced what he called a "powder puff" approach with a more balanced, smash-mouth approach.
Former Vikings offensive lineman and current assistant, Adam Kleffner, said Davis' approach went a long way toward changing the culture of the offensive line and developing it into one of the team's deepest units.
"He believes in working hard and being disciplined in everything you do," Kleffner said. "In the end, he makes us give all the effort we have because he makes it clear there is no reason to waste time and energy."
At any given practice, Davis is likely to get up in one of his linemen's faces and unleash a stream of profanities, but his players understand his passion.
"He definitely has tough love at times but in the end I always know that he cares about me and my success, both on and off the field," said senior center Mitch Gaulke.
The passion is a product of his investment in his players, according to Davis.
"On the field they have an expectation that I'm going to coach them with passion, because that's how I expect them to play," he explained. "Off the field, I want them to know I care about them more than they can ever expect. I care about their personal life, their grades, their social activities, their families -- I just care about their development as men. I care about their futures and I owe those kids that much and more so."
High standard
Just as Davis expects the most out of his players, he also holds himself to a high standard. His fellow coaches describe him as one of the most well-prepared members of the staff and someone who is always paying attention to detail. He keeps track of everything, is highly organized and is always looking to improve.
Two seasons ago he spent three weeks with Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line coach Andy Heck, and last season he did the same with Seattle Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable, soaking up as much could and figuring out how to adapt it to the Vikings.
"I just want to learn as much as I can," he said. "When I finish coaching I want to be known as the best to have ever done it. I know that in order to do that I've got to figure out what's cutting edge, what's ahead of the curve and what are guys doing to get the most out of their players. That motivates me. I walk around with a chip on my shoulder. I want to be the best. I don't read the hype and feel like I've arrived. No, I'm just getting started."
Burton said Davis has the tools to go as far as he wants.
"If he wants to be a head coach at the Division I level, there is no question he will do that," he said. "He'll be a star in the profession."
Note: Viking linebacker Ian Sluss was named The Sports Network National Defensive Player of the Week as well as the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week after making six tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups in PSU's 49-21 win over UC Davis.
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When Nigel Burton first met Brad Davis at a coaching academy the NCAA held for up and coming coaches in 2007, he felt an instant kinship. Davis, then 27, was a graduate assistant at Texas A&M, while Burton was coaching Oregon State's secondary. Burton remembers being impressed by Davis' knowledge of the game and approach to dealing with student athletes, but most of all he remembers the massive tome on coaching Davis was toting around.
"He showed me a manual that he had that looked like a bible or a phonebook," Burton recalled. "It had every drill he'd ever run, how to coach linemen, what's important -- it was just top to bottom unbelievable."
Burton asked for and made a copy of the book, and the two young coaches stayed in touch. In Davis and Davis' manual, Burton saw the same principles and dedication that he valued. He knew he had met a rising star in the profession, but he never could have guessed that three years later that star would be working for him and leading one of the nation's best offensive lines.
Thanks in large part to his offensive line, the Vikings led the Big Sky Conference in rushing the past two seasons and allowed the fewest sacks in the league last year. This year the Vikings have allowed only three sacks all year, third-fewest in the nation, and are again among the nation's most prolific rushing attacks.
"We want to be the number one offensive line in terms of, we want to be the best run blocking team in the country and the best unit in the country protecting the quarterback," Davis said. "We want to protect that quarterback. We don't want people touching him. That's our priority."
Unlikely lineman
At 6-foot, 300-pounds, Davis, 32, doesn't exactly look like an offensive lineman for a top Division I team, but he was just that at Oklahoma from 1999-2002.
"I had to fight and claw and scratch to get on the field," he said. "There's no reason I should have played at Oklahoma. I wouldn't have recruited me, in terms of my physical abilities. I think I have a lot of courage and toughness and that's what helped me."
Those characteristics were tested when his senior year was cut short by a serious ankle injury. Davis said the injury helped crystallize the philosophy he now strives to impart to his players.
"It was just a reminder that (playing football) is a privilege, not a right, and it can be taken away from you at any second," he said. "So why waste an opportunity to be the best at it while you can? You've got the rest of your life to be average. There are a million average people walking around this country every day, why not be special?"
Depth, discipline
When then-coach Jerry Glanville hired Davis at Portland State in 2009, the Vikings run game was anything but special. The Vikings run-and-shoot offense put a premium on pass blocking and all but neglected the run. In 2008 Portland State had the top passing attack in the FCS and the fewest yards rushing. Over his four years on the Park Blocks, Davis has replaced what he called a "powder puff" approach with a more balanced, smash-mouth approach.
Former Vikings offensive lineman and current assistant, Adam Kleffner, said Davis' approach went a long way toward changing the culture of the offensive line and developing it into one of the team's deepest units.
"He believes in working hard and being disciplined in everything you do," Kleffner said. "In the end, he makes us give all the effort we have because he makes it clear there is no reason to waste time and energy."
At any given practice, Davis is likely to get up in one of his linemen's faces and unleash a stream of profanities, but his players understand his passion.
"He definitely has tough love at times but in the end I always know that he cares about me and my success, both on and off the field," said senior center Mitch Gaulke.
The passion is a product of his investment in his players, according to Davis.
"On the field they have an expectation that I'm going to coach them with passion, because that's how I expect them to play," he explained. "Off the field, I want them to know I care about them more than they can ever expect. I care about their personal life, their grades, their social activities, their families -- I just care about their development as men. I care about their futures and I owe those kids that much and more so."
High standard
Just as Davis expects the most out of his players, he also holds himself to a high standard. His fellow coaches describe him as one of the most well-prepared members of the staff and someone who is always paying attention to detail. He keeps track of everything, is highly organized and is always looking to improve.
Two seasons ago he spent three weeks with Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line coach Andy Heck, and last season he did the same with Seattle Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable, soaking up as much could and figuring out how to adapt it to the Vikings.
"I just want to learn as much as I can," he said. "When I finish coaching I want to be known as the best to have ever done it. I know that in order to do that I've got to figure out what's cutting edge, what's ahead of the curve and what are guys doing to get the most out of their players. That motivates me. I walk around with a chip on my shoulder. I want to be the best. I don't read the hype and feel like I've arrived. No, I'm just getting started."
Burton said Davis has the tools to go as far as he wants.
"If he wants to be a head coach at the Division I level, there is no question he will do that," he said. "He'll be a star in the profession."
Note: Viking linebacker Ian Sluss was named The Sports Network National Defensive Player of the Week as well as the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week after making six tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups in PSU's 49-21 win over UC Davis.
