St. Petersburg Catholic has named Jay Davis, son of longtime Clearwater Central Catholic coach John Davis, its next football coach.

Jay is finally turning in his scarlet for gold and black.

"It’s about time," Davis said during his introductory press conference.  "It feels so good."

Davis played for his father, the fourth all-time winningest coach in Pinellas County, at CCC from 1997-2000, where he was a three-time all-state high school quarterback.  

After the former Parade All-American led CCC on four straight playoff runs he went on to play collegiately at North Carolina State University, where he lettered for four seasons.

Following his playing career, Davis coached collegiately at Quincy University (IL), Truman State (MO), Grambling State University and as a grad assistant at N.C. State.  

After a decade assisting at the college level, he’ll start a high school coaching legacy of his own at his alma mater’s arch nemesis.

"Leaving middle school into high school, I wanted to go to St. Pete Catholic," said Davis.  "I was forced by my parents to go to Clearwater Central Catholic.  Something about the head coach over there."

His dad retired in 2015, but is helping out CCC who is coached by his son-in-law and Jay’s brother-in-law, Chris Harvey. 

The true meaning of a house divided. 

"I think I just won over my mom," said Davis.  "So I think she’s St. Pete Catholic.  The one on the fence right now is my little sister."

Rivarly aside, his dad’s football influence is pumping through his veins and in some form will trickle down to the Barons.

"If I did have to pick the biggest one, it would be the treatment of players," said Davis about which of his dad's philsophies he'll bring with him.  "That’s why kids love playing for him and that’s what I’m gonna try and do that here."

He faces an uphill battle.  Rosters numbers fell into the teens last season.  The program went 2-28 over the last three years.

"We’re not trying to have a successful season, we’re trying to build a successful program," said Davis.  "There’s really no timetable to that. Obviously, we’re gonna come in and get to work right away."

Davis may be a long way from changing the culture at St. Pete Catholic, but he will get his first crack at CCC this fall.  

The Barons are at CCC September 29th. 

Some Information Courtesy: St. Petersburg Catholic High School