Jim Davis

Class year: 1970

Major: Education with a minor in health in physical education

Background: A native of Englewood, Tennessee; earned a master’s degree in supervision and administration in 1975 from Tennessee Tech University.

Fun fact: Davis is the only Clemson basketball coach to win the ACC Championship, leading the Lady Tigers to the tournament title in 1996 and 1999.

 

Prior to his graduation from Tennessee Wesleyan, Davis began his coaching career at Englewood Junior High School, where he coached for two years, and then went on to move up the ranks as a basketball coach. He coached various high school teams in the Athens area and Roane State Community College's Raiderettes; served as an assistant coach at The University of Florida; and coached the Lady Raiders of Middle Tennessee State University for one season.

On April 1, 1987, Davis accepted the position as the women's basketball coach at Clemson University. During his 18 years as head coach of the Lady Tigers, he led the women's basketball program to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and 11 final national rankings. Davis is the only Clemson basketball coach to win the ACC Championship, leading the Lady Tigers to the tournament title in 1996 and 1999. He finished with 51 wins over top 25 teams, and his teams won 20 games during 11 of his 18 seasons.

Davis garnered numerous awards, including being named ACC Coach of the Year in 1990 and 1994, and was inducted into the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1996. In the fall of the same year, Davis was inducted into the Tiger Brotherhood, an honorary fraternity that promotes high standards of social and ethical conduct while recognizing in its members an earnest devotion to Clemson, coupled with the integrity of character commensurate with a typical Clemson gentleman or lady.

On March 19, 2005, he stepped down from his head coaching position and accepted an assistant athletic director position. He finished with a career record of 355-197 and left as the winningest basketball coach in Clemson history, men or women. He retired from Clemson in 2007.

Since his retirement, Davis has continued his involvement in his church in Clemson and remains active in the Clemson Adult Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Rotary Club and the Clemson Fellowship Club. He has also assisted in building homes for Habitat for Humanity. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, RVing and traveling.

Davis married his high school sweetheart, Bobbie Henderson, and they recently celebrated 43 years of marriage. They have one son, Todd. Todd and his wife Rhonda have two children, Ansleigh Grace and Jacob Garrett.

In the following paragraphs Davis shares his experience and memories of TWC in his own words.

What was your childhood like?

I grew up on a farm between Englewood and Athens. I was the 10th of 12 children. I attended Englewood Schools and played on the football, basketball and baseball teams. My coaches were a tremendous influence on my life -- I knew I wanted to be a basketball coach when I was in the seventh grade. I can remember reading The Daily Post Athenian and following Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldog Basketball and Baseball.

Why did you choose to attend TWC?

I attended Hiwassee College and many of the students at Hiwassee transferred to Tennessee Wesleyan. I knew I would have to get a job and go to school part-time in order to pay for my education. I was fortunate to get a job at Mayfield Dairy Farms. I was a full-time student taking my classes in the morning and working 40 hours per week in the afternoon and evening after class. I could never have gotten a college education had it not been for my family and Mayfield's.

Who most influenced your decision to attend TWC?

Coach Dwain Farmer had been the basketball coach at Hiwassee College my freshman year then came to TWC in 1965. I liked and respected Coach Farmer and many of my friends were coming to TWC.

Are there friendships that began at TWC that you continue today?

That was one of the great things about Tennessee Wesleyan ... it was small enough to allow you to not just meet, but get to know, so many people. I still consider people like John Saylors, John Barker, Bob Ferguson, Brenda (George) and Luke Sewell, Lewis Bivens and many others dear friends today.

What was your intended career path when you enrolled at TWC?

I knew I was going to be a coach and that never changed. I was influenced by my high school coaches, Coach Harlan Daugherty and Coach Buck Brown (both members of the TWC Athletic Hall of Fame), as well as Coach Farmer. I spent 39 years in coaching, so I guess it was a good career choice.

Were there any faculty or staff members who impacted your life and/or directed you to your career?

Once again, Coach Farmer was a huge impact, but Tip Smith was someone I looked up to and respected. I thought he was just the "classiest" guy. Dean Bowling was a true gentleman as well.

What are your most memorable moments while attending TWC?

It was great to play table tennis and badminton with Coach Farmer. He was such a competitor. I also remember the basketball games with Carson-Newman coached by Dick Campbell, Georgetown coached by Dr. Bob Davis, UTC and other NAIA teams.

Were you a member of any student organizations or athletic teams at TWC?

I was a non-traditional student. I didn't live on campus and worked all during my junior year. After my junior year, I started teaching/coaching at Englewood Junior High School and worked to complete my degree at night and in summer school. I played basketball with the Independents and had a great time.

How did your education/involvement at TWC play a role in your success as a coach and administrator?

The Education Department led by Dr. Neff and Dr. Nagy was very demanding, but it prepared me well for a career in teaching. It also prepared me to get my graduate degree in educational administration and supervision from Tennessee Tech.

Today, what does TWC mean to you and your family?

I have always been proud to be an alumnus of Tennessee Wesleyan College. I could not have succeeded at a large university. TWC was the "perfect fit" for me. I was truly honored when Jimmy Dodson called me informing me that I had been selected to be inducted into the Tennessee Wesleyan Hall of Fame in 2001.

How do you stay connected to TWC?

Our families still live in McMinn County, so we get back to Athens quite often. Occasionally, I drive through campus and reminisce. I try to get back for a couple of basketball games as often as I can.

Why do you believe it is important for yourself and others to stay connected with TWC and to give back to the College?

There is a saying that goes like this: "If you see a turtle on a fence post ... you know he had to have help getting there." I had help getting on my fence post. TWC and the people associated with the College made it possible for me to have a wonderful career in coaching. There are current students at TWC who need that same kind of help.

What would you like to see in the future of TWC?

I am pleased to see the construction, renovation and beautification on campus. And to hear of the growth of the student body excites me even more. I guess if I can "dream big" for TWC it would be to have a new "home" for Bulldog and Lady Bulldog basketball. James L. Robb Gymnasium had been around a while, even when I was a student.

If you had one piece of advice to share with current students and young alumni of TWC, what would it be?

You get out of anything exactly what you put into it. My advice is to immerse yourself into every facet of Tennessee Wesleyan. The relationships you are making now can last a lifetime. Cherish every time you walk under the Arches for time passes so swiftly.