Columbia names new football coach

Columbia High announced Thursday that Rich Davis will take over as its head football coach for the 2015 season.

Davis previously served two stints as an assistant coach at Columbia. He was the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator in 2013 and their quarterbacks coach in 2014. He also previously served as an assistant at Wilder, Melba and Skyview.

Columbia represents the 39-year-old’s first head coaching job as he becomes the school’s fourth head coach in the past four years.

“The kids need a little bit of stability and continuity,” Davis said. “For me, I’m hoping to provide that and guarantee them some years in a row. Next year’s senior class, I’ll be their fourth coach. Obviously, that doesn’t lead to a lot of success.”

Columbia struggled in its first year at the 5A level this fall, posting an 0-9 record and getting outscored by an average of 48.3-8.6. The Wildcats have lost 15 straight games and haven’t posted a winning season or reached the playoffs since 2011.

Davis said he’ll focus on re-establishing a JV program — Columbia didn’t field one last season — increasing participation and getting players into the weight room to try to turn the program around. “We’ve got to be bigger and faster and stronger to hope to compete with these guys in the 5A,” he said. “It’s a different level right now.”

This story was originally published January 29, 2015 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Columbia names new football coach."