Kirk Davis is in his 29th year in the strength and conditioning profession, and his 16th in charge of the UTEP speed, strength and conditioning program. Davis and his staff develop programs tailor-made for each of UTEP’s 16 Division I-A sports. They also oversee the state-of-the-art Vandenburg Strength and Conditioning Center in the Larry K. Durham Sports Center and the Foster Stevens Basketball Center.
Under Davis’ tutelage at Akron and UTEP numerous players have realized their dream of playing in the National Football League, including All-Pro Jason Taylor, Thomas Howard, Johnnie Lee Higgins and Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith. He also worked with current pros Joe Banyard (Buffalo Bills), Antwon Blake (New York Giants), Jon Dorenbos (Philadelphia Eagles), Aaron Jones (Green Bay Pacers), Darrin Laufasa ( Cincinnati Bengals), Jameill Showers (Dallas Cowboys), Eric Tomlinson (New York Jets), Roy Robertson-Harris (Chicago Bears) and Nick Usher (Seattle Seahawks).
Davis served as an assistant with the Miners during the 2002-03 athletic year prior to being elevated to the head position. He was involved in all facets of the strength and conditioning program as an assistant, including working specifically with the men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer and track and field teams.
Prior to coming to UTEP, Davis served as the football strength and conditioning coach at North Canton Hoover High School in North Canton, Ohio for two years.
A former member of the United States National Weightlifting Team, Davis is a member of the NSCA, where he is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist. He is also certified as a senior coach by USA Weightlifting and as strength and conditioning coach by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association. He qualified for, and competed in, the 1996 Olympic Team Trails.
Davis was the first assistant strength and conditioning coach at the University of Akron for six years. He also had a four-year stint as a staff member at the Crystal Palace National Sports Center in London, England, working under the direction of the British National Team coach. During his career Davis has had a hand in developing numerous conference champions, All-Americans, national champions and many professional athletes.
A native of New Philadelphia, Ohio, Davis played running back at West Liberty State in West Virginia. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1987-91 and received his degree in athletic training from the University of Akron.
He and his wife, Cheryl, were married in January 2009. Davis has three children -- Abigail, Andrew and Annalexis.
