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CHILLICOTHE — Earlier this year, Bill Davidson was simply enjoying retired life and everything that came with it.
In 2011, the longtime football coach stepped away from both the field and the classroom after serving as Chillicothe’s head coach for eight years, and as a teacher in the district for 30-plus.
But in the midst of his ride into the sunset, he received a phone call — one that would give that journey a detour.
On the other end of the phone was newly hired Huntington head coach Clay Beeler, who was a star running back and linebacker for Davidson at Chillicothe in 2007.
“He took me to lunch and told me that he needed some help as a first-time head coach. The fish must have been pretty good that day because I agreed to come and help,” Davidson said. “I never realized how much I missed the kids, coaches and the Friday night lights. I also forgot how much I hate two-a-days, 95-degree practice with 100 percent humidity and even the snowflakes we had at times. But I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
A new gig as Huntington’s offensive coordinator only added to Davidson’s long and outstanding resume, one that included coaching the 370th game of his career.
In other words, Davidson has spent a calendar year of his life on the gridiron.
“All that means is I’m old,” Davidson said, with a laugh. “I’ve been honored to coach some great teams, great players and be around some Hall of Fame coaches, both on the high school level and collegiately. I’ve learned a lot of football and have stolen a lot of concepts from others who have had success from it. I’m lucky to be around such a young group now like Elijah McCloskey, Seth Beeler, Sam Mitchell, Daniel Farmer and the great Chad Lytle.”
After his playing days ended at Muskingum University, where he played for former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock — who was a part of the 2002 National Championship team — Davidson set off on his teaching journey.
He was hired at Adena in 1977 and, after a coach decided to leave the Warriors’ football program, suddenly found himself as the team’s defensive coordinator at 22 years old.
“I was thrown into the fire really quick, and I could either embrace it or run away from it. Whether it was for the love of the kids or the game itself, I embraced it,” Davidson said. “You learn a lot about yourself and how much you love something through coaching. It takes nearly all of your time because there’s always something that can be done. But it’s been the biggest joy of my life.”
That trial-by-fire opportunity started his football journey.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
He spent seven years at Adena until being hired at Chillicothe in 1984, where he truly carved out his legacy.
He spent the next 28 years — the last eight of which featured him as the Cavaliers’ head coach — as a staple of Chillicothe’s football program.
He witnessed countless never-can-forget moments, and coached some of the most famous names in program history, such as Chris Givens, Caleb Knights, Jimmy Skinner and Drew Basil, among a long list of other greats.
To this day, Davidson is still the last coach at Chillicothe to win a playoff game, which was a 13-7 victory over Canal Winchester during the 2008 season.
“The two playoff victories were very special, beating Pickerington in back-to-back years to win the OCC championship and being a part of I believe the only 10-0 team in Chillicothe history are things I’m proud of for sure,” Davidson said. “We made eight playoff appearances during my time there, which isn’t too bad considering most of those happened when playing against Brookhaven, Olentangy, Thomas Worthington, Pickerington and other big-time programs in the regular season back then. I’ve coached alongside some great Hall of Fame coaches, and it’s been a lot of fun.”
Davidson’s return to the sidelines after over a decade only shows that no matter what you do in life or where you go, once you’re known as ‘Coach,’ it sticks with you forever.
“I tell Clay all the time, ‘My name is Bill.’ But he still calls me Coach,” Davidson said. “Clay is such a great person who is dedicated to this program and turning it in a winning direction. He’s now seeing all of the work that goes on behind the scenes and the amount of time it takes. But he’s passionate about it and it makes things easier when you’re doing something you love so much.”
Whether Davidson returns to don the green and black next season is up to his health.
Coaching to his 400th game means another three seasons, but Davidson enjoys a challenge.
And if there’s one thing he loves, it’s football.
“I’ve been blessed, that’s all there is to it. I started playing back in 1969 and was lucky to play in college as well,” Davidson said. “Coaching kept me around the game and I get to have a positive impact on kids who are finding their way in life. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
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