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Donnie Davis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Personal Info | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 16, 1972 | |
| Place of Birth | Burlington, NC | |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in | |
| Weight | 205 pounds | |
| Player Information | ||
| Position | Quarterback | |
| Number | 13 | |
| School | Georgia Institute of Technology | |
| Teams Played For | ||
| Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | 1991-1995 | |
Donnie Davis (born on December 16, 1972 in Burlington, NC) was the starting quarterback for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 1993 and 1995. He would eventually graduate from Georgia Tech and become a star quarterback in Arena Football playing for the Arizona Rattlers, Milwaukee Mustangs, and Georgia Force.
Davis's college career began in the wake of the 1990 National Championship run under Head Coach Bobby Ross. Davis redshirted in 1991 and would await the graduation of star quarterback Shawn Jones through his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons. Bobby Ross would leave before Davis's sophomore season and Bill Lewis was appointed head coach. The team, 2 years removed from a National Title, only won five games and finished the 1992 season with a 5-6 record.[1]
Davis in 1993 was looked upon as a new hope for the Georgia Tech faithful. His redshirt sophomore campaign began with a thrashing of Furman but over the next three games Georgia Tech would be outscored 102-27. Davis would finish the year with a 5-6 record and a humiliating loss to archrival Georgia.[2]
Bill Lewis wanted a spark for his wilting team so he recruited junior college transfer Tom Luginbill from Palomar. Luginbill came in from a wide open pass offense where he tossed for over 7,600 yards and had won 21 games in two years.[3] Luginbill would eventually take the starting job from Davis after Davis got injured in spring practice.[4] Donnie was a favorite amongst the team on and off the field, which further compounded the issue. Several Georgia Tech players saw Luginbill's appointment as an insult to their former coach and national title team.
Luginbill's first two efforts in 1993 saw Georgia Tech narrowly lose to then #1 Arizona and demolish Western Carolina. Then, the team began a downward spiral as death threats against Luginbill and racial divides split the team into small quarreling factions. Luginbill's career ended at Georgia Tech with a 1-10 record and the firing of Coach Bill Lewis. Lewis was replaced by defensive coordinator George O'Leary.
After Luginbill transfered to Eastern Kentucky, Davis and O'Leary began a major rebuilding of the Georgia Tech football program that would lead Georgia Tech eventually back to playing in bowls and competiting at the highest level in the ACC. Davis over his career compiled an 11-11 record with over 4,000 yards of total offense and 29 total touchdowns.[5] He is remembered for his athleticism and steadfast nature during some of the darkest times in Georgia Tech football.
Davis would graduate from Georgia Tech and go on to be one of the most successful passers in Arizona Rattler history. He would win the Most Valuable Player of Arena Bowl XI in 1997.[6][7] Donnie retired from Arena Football in 2001 and has worked in the mortgage banking industry ever since.[8]
- ^ Bill Lewis Q&A. Retrieved on March 26, 2007.
- ^ GT FB Records from 1990-1994. Retrieved on March 26, 2007.
- ^ Tom Luginbill on his own college recruitment. Retrieved on March 26, 2007.
- ^ Luginbill takes over White Squad. Retrieved on March 26, 2007.
- ^ GT Career Individual Records. Retrieved on March 26, 2007.
- ^ Donnie Davis Statistics from Arenafan. Retrieved on March 26, 2007.
- ^ Arizona Rattlers Team History. Retrieved on March 26, 2007.
- ^ Donnie Davis hired by JW Homes and Neighborhoods. Retrieved on March 26, 2007.
| Preceded by Shawn Jones |
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Starting Quarterback 1993 |
Succeeded by Tom Luginbill |
| Preceded by Tom Luginbill |
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Starting Quarterback 1995 |
Succeeded by Joe Hamilton |