COACHES
2013 Football Guide
ASSISTANT COACH
Gerald Davis 4th season at MSU // RBs Former Bears’ standout Gerald Davis will begin his fourth season on the coaching staff in 2013 and continues to coordinate the team’s running backs. No stranger to Missouri State football fans, Davis returned to the program in 2010 as a part-time member of the coaching staff and made an immediate impact. The Bears finished 11th in the nation in rushing offense (214.18) and 13th in total offense (425.45) in 2010 as Davis helped guide a solid group of tailbacks. Junior Chris Douglas was named to the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference squad as an honorable mention pick, while becoming MSU’s 10th 1,000-yard rusher. Douglas finished second in the nation in yards per carry (6.9) and was 27th nationally in rushing yards (95.55). Classmate Stephen Johnston accounted for 752 yards on 147 carries and had a solid comeback season after missing the entire 2009 campaign. In 2011, the Bears replaced 80 percent of their offensive line and adjusted as the season progressed. Douglas tallied 511 yards on 146 carries, while Johnston closed out his career with 260 yards on 81 attempts. After the season, Douglas landed an NFL free agent contract with the Buffalo Bills and be-
came Davis’ first pro signee. In 2012, freshman All-American and MVFC All-Newcomer Team selection Ryan Heaston paced the efforts of the MSU backs as he tallied 424 yards in just seven games while racking up nearly 600 all-purpose yards. Junior workhorse Vernon Scott also stood out, gaining all 11 starts and tacking on 343 yards, while Mikael Cooper-Falls tallied 3 rushing touchdowns and 318 ground yards with 4.4 yards per attempt. This fall, the Bears have 100 percent of their rushing yards, including four returning lettermen, back. MSU has also signed three freshman running backs to its 2013 class to provide a solid foundation for the future. Prior to returning to Missouri State and the college football ranks in 2010, Davis put together a record-setting senior season in 2007 for MSU as a player. He started two seasons for Terry Allen and set Missouri State’s singleseason records for most touchdowns (19) and points (114) during his senior campaign. He guided the Bears to a 6-5 finish in 2007 and was named honorable mention All-MVFC after earning the team’s Most Valuable Player Award. He rushed for a team-best 830 yards on 156 carries in his final season. The St. Louis, Mo., native was a four-year letterman for the Bears from 2004-07. The Pattonville High product notched a school record five rushing touchdowns against Indiana State (10/27/07) and claimed Coors Player of the Year honors
Bears Football
as a senior co-captain. He also had two 100yard rushing games as a senior, including a career-high 123-yard effort against Illinois State (10/6/07). Davis currently resides in Springfield and is also active in working with community youth.
DUTIES Assistant Coach, Running Backs
FAMILY single
EDUCATION Missouri State, 2008 - bachelor’s degree (community recreation)
PLAYING EXPERIENCE Missouri State (RB), 2004-07
COACHING EXPERIENCE 2010-present Missouri State (assistant coach, RB)
www.MissouriStateBears.com
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