A former All-Southeastern Conference linebacker at Auburn University, Deshaun Davis was the first addition to the coaching staff for new University of North Alabama Head Football Coach Brent Dearmon in December of 2022.
Davis serves UNA as linebackers coach.
Davis came to North Alabama after serving as a graduate assistant coach at UCF during the 2022 season where he assisted with linebackers.
"DeShaun Davis was my favorite player that I ever coached in school," said Dearmon. "Then when I got the opportunity to move on to Auburn, I stood on the table for him to be an Auburn Tiger. He was an All-SEC linebacker, but he is also an All-American person. I am pleased to be able to coach alongside such a great player and human being. DeShaun has a very bright future in this business."
A 26-year-old native of Prichard, Ala., Davis earned his bachelor’s degree in the College of Liberal Arts in December, 2017 at Auburn. He was later in offseason camps or a practice squad member with the Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles and Saskatchewan Roughriders following his time at Auburn. He was the 210th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, going in the sixth round. Â
He said he is excited about the opportunity ahead at North Alabama.
"This is big for me," he said. "I'm thankful for the opportunity and extremely excited to have the chance to really control my own room and bring my passion and personality to these young student-athletes. I am also coming back to my home state and coaching there will feel like home. My relationship with Coach Dearmon also goes back to when I was in high school and I know his passion for coaching. I'm excited about all the great things we are going to do at North Alabama on and off the field."
As a player at Auburn, he earned first-team All-SEC honors as a senior in 2018. A-three year starter at middle linebacker, he made 116 tackles that season and finished with 266 career tackles. He ranks fourth among Auburn career tacklers since 2000. He received an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and was a Lott Impact Trophy quarterfinalist.
Davis redshirted at Auburn in 2014 and was an Academic Top Tiger. As a redshirt freshman in 2015, he provided depth at linebacker and saw action on special teams. In 2016, he started every game and finished with 63 tackles for the season.
In 2017, he again started at middle linebacker and made 150 tackles.
At Vigor High School, Davis made 138 tackles with 15 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles as a junior. He missed his senior season due to a knee injury. He was selected all-state and all-region as a sophomore and junior. he was the 2012 regional linebacker of the year, selected for the O-D All-American Bow and was invited to 2014 U-19 International Bowl. He was also a basketball and baseball letterman.
Â
