Louisiana's Davis Wins AP Coach of the Year
First Year Head Coach Led Cajuns to Top Five Finish
By Karl Belcher | Jan 8, 2016, 12:15pm EST
First year Louisiana head coach Porter Davis has won the Associated Press Coach of the Year Award after a historic season that saw the Cajuns run their record to a perfect 12-0 before receiving an at large berth in the Rose Bowl and narrowly losing to Nebraska in double overtime.
Davis, a defensive minded coach, coached up his squad to lead the nation in points allowed and rushing yards allowed, two categories he emphasizes.
"You've got to stop the run. You take the run away and it creates opportunities. Opportunities for your pass rushers, opportunities for your defensive backs and it keeps the opponent from grinding the clock so that gives your offense more opportunities too."
Davis was very humble when receiving the award, choosing to heap praise on his assistants and players instead of himself.
"Look, we had some of the best assistant coaches in the nation. Matt and Chris were great. Phenomenal even. I could not have asked for better to kick off my head coaching career. Extraordinary men. Then the players. Wow! What a group. Can't say enough there. Hungry, talented, extremely intelligent. Just excellent. Again, couldn't have asked for any more."
Davis was asked about his meteoric rise.
"Things at EMU didn't go very well, we all know that. The administration and coach Johnson gave me a shot and supported and taught me so so well. I owe it all to them clearly."
When asked about his future at Louisiana.
"Right now I can't even fathom being anywhere else. Not even on my radar now."
When asked about rumors of coordinators Chris Ash and Matt Limegrover leaving the program for head coaching gigs.
"Those guys are obviously both ready to lead their own programs. They're going to be outstanding if they move on. They've both been in this game longer than me and I absolutely learned more from them this past season than they did from me. That being said I don't know their intentions at this time."
When asked how he would celebrate the award.
"Boudin, a nice Sazerac then back to work!"