Falcons assistant Davis promoted to head coach
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It may have been earlier than expected, but Caleb Davis is thrilled to earn his first head football coaching position.
Davis, an assistant at Jefferson last season, was unanimously approved as the school’s head coach during a board of education meeting Thursday.
He takes over for Jason Root, who resigned after the 2025 season.
“I knew what my goal was,” Davis said of becoming a head football coach. “I didn’t think it would happen this fast. This is what I try to create.”
Davis interviewed by a five-person panel at Jefferson, and Root gave him a high recommendation.
“Number one, I want to maintain grades and attendance,” he said “We have to push our numbers. I want to build a culture of accountability and hold kids accountable.”
Jefferson Athletic Director Greg Juhola said, “We are extremely excited about the future of the program under coach Davis. He is a young, up-and-coming coach with tremendous energy, a strong football mind, and a very bright future ahead of him.”
Juhola said he’s confident Davis has the understanding of building relationships with the student-athletes and developing those on and off the field.
“We believe his vision and leadership will have a positive impact our program and our community for years to come,” Juhola said.
A graduate of Champion High School, Davis played four years of football.
He earned a degree in physical education from Kent State University, and teaches that subject at Jefferson Middle School.
“I think it will help me, being with the seventh and eighth grade,” Davis said.
He started volunteering at Champion, and worked as a defensive coordinator for Ken Parise, a veteran coach in the area who led Edgewood, Pymatuning Valley and Conneaut teams over the years.
Parise was inducted into the Ashtabula County Touchdown Club Hall of Fame in 2013.
“I wanted to get back into football,” Davis said. “I learned from Ken how to hold people accountable, and the standard is the standard.”
Davis was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator last season.
It’s been an up-and-down ride for Jefferson in recent years.
After reaching the Division IV state semifinals in 2022, the Falcons went 0-10 the following season.
Jefferson finished 3-7 in the 2024 campaign and 2-8 this past season.
“With Jason, I learned how to enjoy the game, and not take everything as life or death” Davis said.
Davis said he’s seeking players who are willing to work and want to be part of the program.
He will assemble a coaching staff, and start the offseason work in January.
“I want [coaches] who have the same vision as me,” Davis said. “I put a lot of time and energy in the game. That’s a key piece of what I’m looking for in the right coach, and guys willing to learn.”
Last season, he was the main person for Jefferson’s offense.
Davis said his scheme will likely be determined by the personnel the Falcons have, with returners and new players.
“It depends on the kids,” he said. “We’ll probably be a little more pass.”
Davis said finding the right coaches for defense and special teams are equally important.
“Special teams is sometimes overlooked at the high school level,” he said. “One thing I’ve learned is that if you’re at net-neutral, that’s a good special teams.”
But most of all, Davis is eager to get going.
“I’m excited to continue mentoring this group,” he said. “They’re a young, hungry bunch, and the future looks bright for them.
“I’m looking forward to building a program with the help of the community that we can all be proud of.”
Davis and his wife, Mariah, have been married for one year.
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