Davis returns to Spalding to help heal program

Faced with an unimaginable offseason tragedy with its football coach, Spalding High in Griffin has turned to an old friend to lead the program again. Nick Davis, a Griffin native with 24 years of head coaching experience, was approved by the Griffin-Spalding Schools board Friday afternoon to return to the job he held from 2011 to 2018.

Spalding is coming off a 12-1 finish and its first region title in 20 years. The school and community were shaken in February with the news that its former coach, Carl Kearney, was charged with the murder of Patrina Best in Maryland. Kearney, who had just finished his third season, is jailed without bond.

“I can’t speak on the previous situation,” Davis said, “but I’m from Griffin, and this is an opportunity to come back and provide stability for the parents, community, players and the coaching staff. It’s a chance to keep building off what the previous staff started and take care of the kids.”

Davis was head coach at Fayette County the past five seasons and resigned there in January. He had been Spalding’s private choice for weeks while awaiting official board approval. Davis planned to meet with his new players Monday.

“They definitely need somebody they trust and respect,” Davis said. “Griffin is a unique place with a small-town atmosphere. Some of them need more attention than others. Sometimes when you come from the outside you can’t provide that because you don’t understand the dynamics. That’s what I bring to the table.”

Davis said he probably knew about 20 of the team’s 50 returning varsity players from his previous time at Spalding or from football camps he has worked. Davis also is familiar with most of the staff. One of them, defensive coordinator Rodney Jackson Jr., played for Davis, who has been a head coach at seven high schools starting with Burke County in 1999.

“A lot of the players known me; I played with some of their parents and uncles,” said Davis, a 1990 Griffin High graduate who went on to stardom as a Georgia Southern linebacker. “I have family members on the team. I don’t think that’s going to be an issue. When I meet with the team, I’ll get a feel for where they are as far as the program is concerned. I think we’ll be fine.”

The Spalding job is among the last in Georgia to be filled this offseason. Among more than 70 openings, only those at Josey, Windsor Forest and Lanier County remain unannounced.

Click here for a complete list of head coaching hires and openings.