North Alabama hires former Auburn defender DeShaun Daivs as linebackers coach

Brent Dearmon has taken over the North Alabama football program and has begun to fill out his support staff. DeShaun Davis was announced as the latest hire by the Lions on Wednesday, where he will serve as a linebackers coach.

Davis spent the 2022 season under head coach Gus Malzhan at UCF, working as a graduate assistant while helping out with the linebackers. He and Dearmon become familiar with one another thanks to Auburn, where Davis played his college football. Dearmon was on staff as an offensive analyst.

“This is big for me,” Davis said on the move to North Alabama. “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.”

Dearmon is excited about the move as well, citing their time together on the Plains. He complimented the former linebacker’s ability on the field but also his character off. A “bright future” is ahead of Davis according to the Lions’ new headman.

“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.”

Davis earned All-SEC for his performances during the 2018 season and parlayed that into being drafted in the sixth round by the Cincinnati Bengals. He was never able to make an active roster in the NFL and even tried his luck in the Canadian Football League.

Coaching is now the route Davis is taking as North Alabama will be his first on-the-field experience.