BREAKING: Firebirds Hire New Head Coach

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While much hasn’t been going on the past few months, the Firebirds’ offseason is slowly picking up steam. The Firebirds train is leaving the station and will be in full motion by September. However, management isn’t waiting until then to make headlines. Starting in 2025, the Firebirds will have a new head coach, and his name is Antonio Davis. Davis is a coach that Firebirds fans will love, and below, you’ll understand why.

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The Journey of Coach Davis

Coach Davis is a longtime resident of Raleigh. He’s lived in the area for 24 years, having moved to coach St. Augustine’s basketball team. His journey in basketball began earlier than the 2000s however.

As a player, Davis was one of the greatest shooters in college basketball history for Livingstone College. This may sound like an exaggeration to hype up the Firebirds’ new coach, but it’s not. Davis led the nation in scoring during the 1987-88 season, averaging 35 points per game. That season, he didn’t just hit the elusive 50/40/90 shooting mark; he had the first and only 50/50/90 season in college basketball history.

That wasn’t the only season he did it, however. His career shooting averages at Livingstone College are 56% from the field, 53% from three, and 94% from the free throw line. He was named All-CIAA (the conference Livingstone played in), All-District 26, and an All-American while finishing as Livingstone’s all-time leading scorer.

Following his playing career, Davis spent one season coaching at Morristown College in Tennessee. During his one season as one of the nation’s youngest head coaches, Davis led Morristown from a last-place finish in their conference to 2nd, quite a turnaround. After that successful season, he went on to coach at his alma mater (Livingston), before coaching teams such as NC Central, South Carolina State, Shaw, and others. He’s coached at every level of collegiate basketball; however, this upcoming season will be his first coaching at a professional level.

Davis’ Playing Philosophy and Goals

It was coaching for St. Augustine’s that Davis first met Wade Harris, the Firebirds team owner. They maintained a connection throughout the years, and when Davis showed interest in coaching this year, everything came together. “{This is} just very exciting,” said Davis. “It’s a new challenge for me, but it’s one that I welcome, getting to coach at the professional level.”

The Firebirds have had success in the past, but the one thing they’ve desired most has eluded them: The Lillie. The Basketball League’s championship trophy has been within fingertip’s reach in years before, only to be grabbed by another team instead. With Davis at the helm, those days are in the past.

“Champions, always,” Davis said when I asked him what his goals were for this upcoming season. “{We will} be number one. Nothing else is acceptable.”

His philosophy for winning the championship is quite simple: the Firebirds need to play winning basketball. It’s something that’s missing from plenty of teams today, especially in semi-pro leagues where players are concerned with finding their next team.

Coach Davis also said one of the areas he plans to attack is playing the game efficiently, with a high IQ. This goes hand-in-hand with winning basketball and is a recipe for success. He’s also a believer in versatility. Every opponent can’t be treated the same; instead, a specific game plan has to be made based on the player matchups. Additionally, you can’t force players to play positions or do something they can’t.

“As a coach you have to fit in with the players, not have them fit in with you,” he said. “{You} can’t force players to be what they’re not."

So, to recap: what are you getting with the Firebirds head coach? You’re getting a proven winner with lots of head coaching experience. You’re getting someone who won’t settle for anything under a championship. And you’re getting someone with a “Tremendous, tremendous amount of passion.”

Coach Davis’ motto for the season? Be humble, and be hungry. It’ll serve the team well as they contend for the Lillie in 2025.