Posted on: Friday, August 6, 2004
'Mouse' Davis joins Warriors
Advertiser Staff
Darrel "Mouse" Davis, the founder of the run-and-shoot offense adopted by the University of Hawai'i football team, has been hired as the Warriors' assistant coach in charge of special teams.
"He's one of the best coaches I have ever been around, and he'll help us immensely not only with special teams but in other areas," Jones said on the school's athletic Web site. "He has been like a mentor to me, and I think our players will really respond to him."
Davis is UH's third special teams coach in six years. He replaces Tyson Helton, who left in March for a job at the University of Memphis in charge of tight ends and special teams.
"I'm very excited about joining June and the Warriors," Davis said on the Web site. "This is a very close-knit group of friends, it's like 'old home week.' "
Davis was the head coach of the San Diego Riptide, which finished tied for second with the Hawaiian Islanders this season in the arenafootball2's West Division.
Davis and Jones have known each other for nearly 30 years. They worked on the same coaching staffs with the United States Football League's Houston Gamblers (1984) and Denver Gold (1985), and the NFL's Detroit Lions (1989-1990) and Atlanta Falcons (1994-96). Jones was also a player-coach with Davis in 1982 with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
Davis coached Jones at Portland State in 1975-76. Under Davis' revolutionary offense, Jones quarterbacked the team to back-to-back 8-3 seasons and set a number of NCAA Division II passing records. Jones became the school's first All-American and helped save the Vikings' struggling football program from being dropped.
Davis' run-and-shoot offense was adopted by former Saint Louis School coach Cal Lee, who used the scheme to win 14 O'ahu Prep Bowls and the inaugural state championship in 1999. Lee coaches the linebackers at UH, and is also head coach of the Hawaiian Islanders.
Davis graduated with a degree in nuclear physics from Western Oregon State, where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He earned All-America recognition at quarterback and running back.
"You have as much fun as you have wins," Davis said. "And I can't wait to tee it up and get after it beginning September 4."
Davis is scheduled to arrive Sunday, the first day that the Warriors report to camp. UH opens its season Sept. 4 against Florida Atlantic.
Notes: Darrell Davis got his nickname while playing baseball in high school. One day while playing, Davis, who was shorter than his teammates, dropped the ball and his brother said, "Nice hands, 'Mouse.' "
Warriors head coach June Jones yesterday announced the hiring of the 71-year-old Davis, a former NFL offensive coordinator and longtime friend of Jones.
