By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Buster Davis, who competed in football at Florida State University and was a National Football League player, has been named defensive coordinator at Willamette University, Head Coach Isaac Parker announced today. Davis will begin his duties at Willamette on Feb. 1, 2019.

"Buster and I each had the opportunity to go to the NCAA-NFL Coaches Academy in Tampa, Florida, in 2017, and we immediately connected during our weekend there," Parker said. "When he applied for this position, I was excited because of his deep knowledge of the game, incredible background, and infectious personality. Through the interview process it was clear that our coaching chemistry would be great and that he will be an incredible mentor and motivator for our student-athletes. I believe that Buster will have a significant impact on our program, school, campus, and Salem community, and I feel so blessed that he's excited to be a part of it!"

Davis attended Florida State from 2002-06 and was a linebacker on the football team led by Head Coach Bobby Bowden. In 2005, he recorded 91 total tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. During the 2006 season, he earned 109 total tackles, while recording 8.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) named him First Team All-America following the 2006 season. He also was chosen All-Atlantic Coast Conference in 2006.

After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in History from Florida State in 2007, he went to the NFL. He was originally drafted in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals. He was a member of the Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and Detroit Lions from 2007-09. He recorded 24 tackles, including 18 solo stops, while playing in six games with three starts for Indianapolis in 2008.

"It's an honor to work with Coach Parker and I'm excited to be a Bearcat," Davis said.

Following his time in the NFL, Davis became a coach at the collegiate and high school levels. Most recently, he has been the defensive coordinator, strength and conditioning coach and head track coach at East Hall High School in Gainesville, Georgia. He previously served as the defensive coordinator and strength and conditioning coach at Pinecrest Academy in Cumming, Georgia.

Davis was the safeties coach at Glenville State University (W.V.) for the 2010 season. He coached linebackers at the University of South Dakota in 2011 and was the linebackers coach at Southern Oregon University in 2016. He received a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies-Higher Education from South Dakota in 2013.