Homer Davis Followed a Legend at R.C. Hatch and Established a Legendary Program Himself

9th in a 13 part series introducing the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023

By BILL PLOTT | AHSAA

Montgomery, AL–  Homer Davis Jr. followed legendary Hall of Fame coach Eugene Mason at R. C. Hatch High School and became a legend and Hall of Famer in his own right.

Davis is one of 13 individuals who will be inducted as the Class of 2023 in the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame. The induction banquet will be Monday, March 13, at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center. The banquet will begin at 6 p.m.

A press conference will be held at the Renaissance at 1:15 p.m., on Monday introducing the Class of 2023 to the media. The Hall of Fame is a program developed and managed by the AHSAA’s Alabama High School High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA). This year’s class will be the 33rd class inducted since the HOF inception in 1991.

A native of Columbus, GA, Davis attended Spencer High School in Columbus and graduated from Central High School in Phenix City. He then earned degrees from Selma University and Alabama A&M. He began his teaching coaching career in Butler County, coaching boys’ varsity basketball program  for a year. In 1996, he moved to Perry County where he joined the faculty at R.C. Hatch High School in Uniontown. His first coaching assignment was assistant varsity girls’ basketball, which he coached for 10 years (1996-2005). At the same time, he was assistant to Mason during a span when Hatch won seven state titles.

The R.C. Hatch  girls’ teams reached the state tournament twice during Davis’s tenure. The Lady Patriots were Class 3A state champions in 2000 with an undefeated record of 30-0. Hatch defeated Sulligent 66-63 in double overtime for the title. The previous year Hatch was  state runner-up to Montgomery Academy. Coach Davis helped coach five All-Tournament players including 2000 Most Valuable Player Tracy Williams. Those girls’ teams also won four area championships and three regional championships and had three other appearances in the regional tournament where they finished runners-up.

When Coach Mason (HOF Class of 2006) retired as the winningest high school boys’ basketball coach in AHSAA history, Davis took over the boys’ program. His teams continued the R. C. Hatch legacy, winning three state championships (2006, 2007, 2008) and finishing as runners-up twice (2009, 2010). In addition, his boy’s teams won seven area and five regional championships and were region runners-up twice.

His overall coaching record is 451 wins, including an R. C. Hatch record of 268-87. He was named Class 2A Coach of the Year twice and was selected as coach for the North-South All-Star Game and for the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game.

Perry County School Superintendent Marcia A. Smiley describes Davis as a coach and teacher who found the proper balance.

“His commitment and love for the sport have not overshadowed his commitment and love for the students who play the sport. His dedication has made a positive difference in so many children’s lives,” Smiley said. “The positive difference is not only felt by the children but also the city of Uniontown, Robert C. Hatch High School, and the Perry County School System. Coach Davis’s presence has made an everlasting enhancement to the culture of Robert C. Hatch. There is not a more deserving and humble person than Coach Davis. He has enough accolades and accomplishments to be boisterous and arrogant. However, he is just the opposite.

“Coach Davis lets his love and commitment to the sport speak for him, and for that, the Perry County Board of Education is eternally grateful to have had him in the presence of our students, staff, and community.”

R.C. Hatch Principal Roman L. Zeigler praised Davis’s daily example and work ethic.

“Coach Homer Davis is by far one of the hardest working and dedicated men I have ever experienced within the field of coaching/sports,” said Zeigler. “It is not often you encounter someone who exhibits such professionalism, dedication, and commitment in coaching sports and the mentorship of students. Coach Davis has proven within his illustrious coaching career that he is dedicated to the students and the community of Uniontown. It has yielded Perry County Schools momentous achievements, recognitions, and accolades which could not have been achieved without his sportsmanship, fortitude, and coaching leadership.”