Last we heard of former Nole LB Buster Davis, he was working out with the Montreal Alouettes, hoping to win a roster spot in the Canadian Football League. Now comes news that he'll spend this football season further west in the Blizzard Belt. But instead of playing, he'll be coaching linebackers at The University of South Dakota.
How did a guy from Daytona Beach choose to move to a town (Vermillion, S.D.) where winter high temps are usually below freezing? Here's what he told the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader:
Q. How did it come about that you took a job at USD?
A. It was pretty crazy. I ran into Ed Meierkort (South Dakota Coach) and we talked about this and that, and three days later he called me back and he sold me. I know coaches - when they want you, they're pretty good at selling you. He sold me on an opportunity to coach linebackers. I came up and visited and accepted the job right there.
Q. What are your expectations as you continue your transition to college coaching?
A. Coming to South Dakota I want to quickly establish that I'm an X-and-O guy who is able to recruit, and not only recruit but mold those recruits into good football players. Bottom line, I want to become a great defensive mind who can mold kids to be successful people and football players.
Q. Was it difficult leaving your playing days behind?
A. My dream when I was very young was to make the NFL. There are not many who have a dream like that and accomplish it. My feeling is I did it and now it's time to move to the next thing. I love coaching - I did a lot of coaching on the field when I played high school football and when I played college football as a middle linebacker. What you don't realize at the time is that most people who graduated when they were 22 are getting their second promotion about now. I'm 27 and I'm on my second career. I got great satisfaction coaching last fall - more than I did playing. I'm extremely grateful that Coach Meierkort wanted to add me to his staff. I want to help them win a national championship.
Q. Are you ready for some culture shock moving to Vermillion?
A. I'm sure it will be a little crazy, but I've always prided myself on being able to adjust to new environments. You look at the great people, the people who are successful in life, and they're always people who have been able to make adjustments smoothly.
Q. And the winter? Are you ready for winter?
A. Well, I don't think it can be much worse than Detroit - I mean, it snows in Detroit in April. How much worse can it get? I had to sell my wife on it, but she's excited now. If you talked to my wife you'd end up talking more football than you would when you're talking to me, so she understands. This is the first big move for the family. In the past when I played elsewhere we kept our home in Florida. I think it's a good move for all of us.
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