Derrick Davis has been part of some of the best moments in Polk County High School football history.
And from leading the Wildcats to five straight region championships from 2009 to 2013 — during his first run as head coach at his alma mater — to being on the sideline as a kid when his father was in charge — including when Larry Davis led them to the TSSAA Class 1A state semifinals in 1979 — he has poured his heart and soul into the program in Benton that is synonymous with his family.
The Davises spent a combined 50 seasons as head coaches at Polk, and they amassed 308 wins (including a dozen playoff victories) and seven region titles, but now Derrick’s second run leading Polk County is over.
Davis told his players Wednesday he has decided to step down after 23 total seasons as head coach of the Wildcats. He was responsible for seven playoff victories and 15 winning seasons, including setting the single-season program record for victories with 11 in 2009.
His first run as head coach of the Wildcats was from 2000 to 2018, and he led them again the past four seasons after returning in June 2022. He was 143-113 overall as Polk County’s head coach, and he went 6-14 at McMinn Central while leading the Chargers for two seasons (2019-20).