Navy Wrestling is pleased to welcome Barry Davis, an Olympic medalist and highly accomplished coach, to its coaching staff as an assistant coach. Davis brings an impressive legacy from his 25-year tenure as the head coach at the University of Wisconsin, where he left an indelible mark on the program. Under his leadership, the Badgers produced three national champions, 26 All-Americans, 62 NCAA qualifiers, and eight Big Ten champions. Davis holds the record as Wisconsin’s all-time winningest coach with a career record of 227-167-11. His tenure was highlighted by 15 top-20 finishes at the NCAA championships, including a remarkable fourth-place finish in 2010, which tied the best in school history. His exceptional guidance earned him the National Coach of the Year award by the National Wrestling Coaches Association for the 2009-10 season.
Davis is renowned for his expertise in coaching elite wrestlers, particularly in the 165-pound weight class. At Wisconsin, he coached Donny Pritzlaff to two NCAA championships and multiple Big Ten titles. Pritzlaff was also named an All-American in multiple weight classes during his college career. Another standout under Davis’s mentorship was Andrew Howe, who achieved an undefeated season and a national title in 2010, along with multiple All-American honors and Big Ten championships. Isaac Jordan, another of Davis’s protégés, earned All-America accolades four times and captured two Big Ten titles.
Beyond individual achievements, Davis also guided Jeff Walter to a national championship in the heavyweight division and Tyler Graff to four All-American finishes at 133 pounds. Davis’s track record at Wisconsin showcases his ability to develop top-tier wrestling talent and lead them to national prominence.
Before his storied coaching career, Davis was an outstanding wrestler at the University of Iowa. He won three national championships and was a four-time NCAA All-American. He contributed significantly to Iowa’s four national team titles during his collegiate career and still holds school records for victories in a single season and career wins. His collegiate excellence earned him the Outstanding Wrestler of the 1985 NCAA Championship and the 1985 Big Ten Conference Athlete of the Year.
Davis’s prowess extended to the international arena, where he captured a silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics and medaled at the World Championships in 1986 and 1987. He also won a gold medal at the 1983 Pan American Games and was a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling team.
Navy head coach Cary Kolat expressed his excitement about Davis joining the team, highlighting Davis’s extensive experience and successful track record. Kolat emphasized that Davis will play a crucial role in spearheading recruitment efforts and will bring invaluable contributions to the Naval Academy wrestling program. Davis’s addition is expected to not only strengthen the coaching staff but also significantly enhance the development and performance of Navy’s wrestlers.
Barry Davis, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and a three-time state champion in high school, graduated from Iowa in 1985. He is married to Andrea Davidson, and they have two daughters, Amanda and Amy. With his rich background and proven success, Davis is set to make a significant impact on Navy Wrestling, fostering growth and excellence in the program.
