Roberto Davis serves as the defensive line coach and the co-recruiting coordinator for the Bearcat football team. Davis moved to defensive line coach in 2025 after serving as the running backs coach at Northwest since 2021.
"Coach Davis is a true Bearcat at heart,” head coach John McMenamin said. “From his journey as one of the best defensive linemen in Bearcat history to now coaching the same position, he is poised to elevate this unit to new heights. His unwavering commitment to building strong relationships matches his passion for success, making him an invaluable asset to our program."
Davis oversaw the play of MIAA Defensive Lineman of the Year Clayton Power and had four players gain all-conference. honors in 2025.
Power was chosen as a first-team all-MIAA performer. He ranked second in the MIAA in quarterback sacks (7.5). Power tied for No. 7 in the MIAA in tackles-for-loss (10.0). Power started all 12 games and registered 40 total tackles. He tied for the team lead in interceptions (2). Nile Schuett secured second-team all-MIAA status, Jordan Pigram captured third-team all-MIAA honors and Zylen Saddler-Robinson was an honorable mention all-MIAA pick.
Davis coached running back Jay Harris to first-team all-MIAA status in 2023. Harris was the only NCAA performer to reach 100 or more rushing yards in every game in 2023. Harris rushed for 1,433 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns in 2023. Harris gained first-team Associated Press All-America honors before transferring to the University of Oregon in the offseason. Tank Young also earned honorable mention all-MIAA status in the Bearcat backfield in 2023.
In 2022, Davis saw running back Jamar Moya tally first-team all-MIAA honors as he led the Bearcats in rushing yards (630) and pass receptions (57). Moya ranked second on the squad in all-purpose yards with 1,089. Davis also coached freshman running back Jay Harris, who accumulated a team-best nine rushing touchdowns in the eight games he saw action.
Davis handled the Bearcat running backs in 2021 as Al McKeller finished third in the Harlon Hill balloting. McKeller was the NCAA Division II active career leader in all-purpose yards with 5,574. He ranked first among active career leaders in rushing yards (5,159). McKeller rushed for 61 career touchdowns. In 2021, McKeller rushed the ball 284 times for 1,601 yards, including 19 rushing touchdowns and one receiving score in earning first-team all-MIAA honors. McKeller has produced eight 100-yard rushing performances this season and has tallied 24 100-yard rushing games in his collegiate career. McKeller was a tough customer for defenders to track down behind the line of scrimmage. McKeller lost only 20 yards rushing this season despite carrying it 284 times, which ranked No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in the MIAA. He ranked tied for No. 4 in the nation in total rushing yards and No. 8 in the country in rushing yards per game (123.2). McKeller notched his initial D2CCA First-Team All-America honor as a collegian. McKeller became the third Bearcat to finish in the top-three of the final voting for the Division II player of the year award.
Davis spent the 2020 season on the staff at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, working on John McMenamin’s Wildcat coaching crew.
Davis was a graduate assistant coach (defensive line) at Northwest in 2019 as the Bearcat squad reached the NCAA Division II quarterfinals and captured the program’s 30th MIAA regular season title. Davis played two seasons at Northwest in 2009 and 2010 as the Bearcats, where he helped capture the 2009 national championship.
He is a native of Copperas Cove, Texas and began his collegiate playing career at New Mexico State (2005-06) and Reedley Junior College (2008). He earned his bachelor’s degree in parks, recreation, leisure and fitness studies at Northwest.
He and his wife, Tiffany, reside in Maryville with their son, Ace.
