CLAIM TO FAME: Whether he's glad-handing recruits, calling college coaches or sending out volumes of game tapes, Davis is constantly at work trying to get his players into school. In his 13 years as coach at Gibbs High, Davis has had 53 players sign to play college football, including 34 the past four seasons.
The most notable name is Shaun King, who led the Gladiators to their first state playoff appearances in 1993 and '94. King started at Tulane before being drafted by the Buccaneers.
Coaching a noteworthy quarterback helped Davis establish a relationship with recruiters. He goes to camps, all-star games, recruiting fairs, anything to spread the word about his players. In fact, Davis has become so adept at finding a college for players that students from other schools try to enlist his services.
A tireless promoter, Davis sacrifices time and money for his players because others did the same for him. Davis played at Gibbs and graduated in 1966. Through the help of basketball coach Fred Dyles and others, Davis went to Bethune-Cookman on a scholarship.
He came to coach wrestling and football at his alma mater in 1991.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "I know Al wants to win as bad as anyone else, but he's not done with his students once their high school career is over. He keeps working to make sure they have a chance to go to the next level. He's the godfather when it comes to recruiting. He doesn't just get his own players into college. He gets players in from other schools, too." - Gibbs offensive coordinator Dave Cleppe.
DID YOU KNOW?: Davis' brother, Larry, was a member of the 1970 Gibbs football team and was on the practice field Labor Day when lightning struck and killed two of his teammates, Vincent Williams and Robert Newton. The football field was named in honor of the players who were killed.
WHERE THEY ARE NOW: Davis gave up coaching wrestling in 1999 to concentrate on football. He is a teacher and football coach. Last year's team went 4-6 during a season in which there were no home games.
WORDS TO LIVE BY: "God gave me a gift to help people and I'm using it. There were a lot of people that helped me get into school and give me a chance. Now I'm trying to pass that on to others. If someone needs my help, I'm not going to turn them away."
