Drew Davis continues family legacy as new football coach at St. Thomas University

Drew Davis was born to be a football coach, and he proved it yet again on Sept. 12, when he and his wife Nicole welcomed their first child into the world.

The baby’s name is Saylor Hilton Davis, and she was born at 4:12 a.m. All credit to Nicole, who was in labor for 24 hours.

However, a little more than two hours after Saylor was born, Davis – son of former Miami Hurricanes and FIU Panthers coach Butch Davis – was in his car driving to his job, which at that time was as the quarterback coach for the St. Thomas University Bobcats, a Miami Gardens-based NAIA program. Then, the next day, Davis was off to Kentucky for an STU road game.

That type of dedication to his craft was rewarded on Wednesday as Davis, 32, was named just the second coach in STU history.

It is Davis’ first head-coaching job.

“I’m humbled, honored and overjoyed,” Davis said. “Becoming a head coach has been my goal since childhood.”

Indeed, Davis was brought into the world under similar circumstances as his daughter. Davis was born on Jan. 22, 1993. Immediately following Davis’ birth in Dallas, his father flew out to California to join the Cowboys, who were getting ready for what became a Super Bowl victory in Pasadena. Butch Davis at that time was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator under coach Jimmy Johnson.

Now, life has come full circle for Drew Davis, who raved to the Miami Herald about his wife and also called Saylor “a blessing and a rock star.”

Davis takes over as coach from Bill Rychel, who started STU’s program when he was hired on Oct. 15, 2018.

Rychel, who has been promoted to Senior Vice President for Athletics, did an impressive job leading a start-up football program.

Other than the initial season, Rychel led the Bobcats to six straight winning records. STU won nine games four straight years, from 2021 to 2024, before slipping to 7-4 in 2025.

Rychel, who had been doing double duty as coach and athletic director for the past six years, said he thought it was time to pass the proverbial torch.

“I felt almost guilty not focusing on (football) enough at times,” Rychel said. “Our players and staff deserve better.

“I love coaching. It will be transition (not coaching). But I love St. Thomas University, and I want us to continue to evolve as a football program.”

Rychel said STU did not conduct a national search because of the talent already on the staff. Davis was interviewed this past Friday, and the decision to promote him was made quickly.

“Drew is a great young coach -- a rising star,” Rychel said. “The foundation to a good program has been laid, and Drew will bring a fresh voice.”

Rychel said he won’t “look over anybody’s shoulder,” but he plans to be a resource for Davis.

Butch Davis will also be a resource. After all, Drew was on Butch’s FIU staff for five years, serving in various roles: tight ends coach, passing-game coordinator and recruiting coordinator.

During that span, FIU went to three bowl games – which is a program record for any Panthers coach. FIU also beat Miami under Davis.

At STU the past four years, Drew Davis helped the Bobcats record a 34-10 record, including 1-3 in the NAIA playoffs.

This past fall, Drew Davis was named to the “35 under 35” list by the American Football Coaches Association. Essentially, it’s a list of rising stars in the coaching profession.

Now it’s time for Davis to finally lead his own program, and his father is beyond thrilled.

“Isn’t that awesome?” Butch Davis said when reached by the Miami Herald. “I’m really happy for him. He’s really fired up.

“Drew is a great recruiter, and he’s passionate about developing great players and great young men.”