Former Dutch Fork star finds his way back to football, this time as a coach

Stephen Davis Jr. tried a life without football, but nothing could fill the void like being on the gridiron again.

So the former four-star prospect is back at Dutch Fork High School, his alma mater, in his first year as an assistant coach on Tom Knotts’ staff.

Davis is coaching outside linebackers and nickel backs for the Silver Foxes, the top-ranked team in Class 5A and defending state champions in South Carolina.

“I worked at Amazon and was an insurance agent. But that wasn’t my passion,” Davis said after Friday’s 38-0 win over Ridge View. “My passion was football, whether it was playing or coaching. Coaching is what I think I was really made here to do.”

Davis contacted Knotts, his former coach, earlier this summer about a job opportunity. The two had an up-and-down relationship during his high school days. Knotts never questioned Davis’ athletic ability but his drive and determination weren’t always there.

“We butted heads several times,” Knotts said of Davis. “But he has grown up a lot and I am proud to see him grow up and want to coach. He has got good bloodlines, he has grown up a lot and is a joy to have around.”

Davis takes the blame for mistakes during his high school days. He admitted he didn’t take to Knotts’ coaching style. The Dutch Fork coach is known for his fiery demeanor and at times, which isn’t for all players.

And at times, Davis wasn’t having it.

“I was young. You definitely understand when you get older what he is talking about and how he goes about everything,” Davis said of Knotts. “It is not what he says but how he says it sometimes. …. When I was young, sometimes I took it wrong and didn’t understand what he was talking about.

“But as I got older I am with him now, you understand everything that he was trying to say. He has helped me out so much. I wish I was like this when I was younger but you grow and mature.”

Davis grew up around the game of football. His father, Stephen Davis Sr., was a talented running back and was regarded by some as the top recruit in the country coming out of Spartanburg in 1992. He went on to play at Auburn before a 10-year, All-Pro career in the NFL with Washington and Carolina.

The younger Davis was also a top-flight prospect coming out of Dutch Fork. 247Sports ranked him as a four-star prospect and No. 6 in SC in the class of 2016. He suffered a wrist injury in the summer of his senior year but was back for the season.

Davis Jr. was a defensive back most of his high school career, but Knotts moved him to running back during his senior year. In one of his first games at tailback, he rushed for 204 yards and seven total touchdowns (six rushing) in the 54-34 win over Boiling Springs. His six rushing touchdowns in a game are still tied for the most in school history with four other players.

But the next week, Davis suffered a season-ending ACL injury against Dorman, which he said was one of the low points in his football career. His recruitment also took an unexpected turn as well. He originally committed to Auburn, his dad’s alma mater, but backed off his verbal commitment that September.

Davis didn’t sign during the February signing period and eventually ended up at Auburn that summer. Auburn coach Gus Malzhan announced in August that Davis’ hadn’t recovered totally from the knee surgery and was going to redshirt his freshman year.

“When I tore my ACL, I kind of just lost my confidence and and the work that goes along with football,” Davis said. “Football is a hard sport and not for everyone.”

A few months later, Davis left the Tigers program before landing at South Carolina as a walk-on because Auburn blocked him from being on scholarship at an SEC school . He was recruited by the Gamecocks coming out of high school. Will Muschamp recruited Davis when he was at Auburn and went on to take the head coaching job at USC so the two had a relationship.

But Davis never played a game for the Gamecocks. He left the program that August before rejoining the team for spring practice.

Davis played defense that spring before leaving USC again in the summer of 2018. He gave football one more shot at landing at North Carolina A&T in 2019 where played his final three seasons. He moved back to defense at linebacker and wore his father’s No. 48 jersey.

Davis received an invite to the Washington Commanders mini-camp in 2021 but never landed a trip to training camp.

Davis uses his past highs and lows and as a teaching point with the Silver Foxes players. With his passion for the game back and renewed interest, he said he eventually wouldn’t mind giving college coaching a try.

“I have done it all, had my ups and my downs,” Davis said. I offer my experience. I have been to the highest level. I didn’t make it but I know what it takes to get there. I also know what it takes to get to the college level. It is not always easy.

“... The kids bring the excitement and joy back for me. It is a blessing and I found something that I love to do.”

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