Davis resigns as Titans football coach; Boldman to take over for 2025

PORTSMOUTH — After two seasons as head football coach of the Notre Dame Titans, Buster Davis abruptly resigned on Thursday morning.

The news of Davis' departure was reported by The Portsmouth Daily Times, and stated that an anonymous source indicated that Davis had accepted another head coaching job in the state of Florida.

Davis, who coached in Florida and Georgia as a college coordinator and high school coach before taking the Notre Dame job over two years ago, hails from Daytona Beach in Florida —having played collegiately at Florida State.

He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals of the NFL in the 2007 Draft’s third round, and briefly was a member of the Cardinals —before later joining the Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans. 

Davis' departure comes just two weeks before the official start of mandatory practices for the 2025 season in Ohio.

Davis compiled a 14-10 recording in his two seasons with the Titans, going 8-4 in 2023 and 6-6 in his second (2024), and won opening round playoff games in each season.

The Titans were just 32 seconds away from likely winning the de facto SOC I championship game against Eastern that October, but the visiting and undefeated Eagles converted a late pass play into a touchdown —and simply shell-shocked Notre Dame 31-28 at Spartan Municipal Stadium. 

Later on Thursday, Notre Dame Schools officially announced that assistant coach and NDHS Athletic Director Bob Boldman would serve as the interim head coach for the 2025 season. 

He was an assistant Davis and his predecessor Bob Ashley. Boldman's assistants will include Bill Shannon, Jayson Coleman, Austen Vaughters and Rhett Hadsell. 

That official announcement, made in a post via Facebook, also stated that "At the conclusion of the school year, the head coaching position will be officially posted, and a formal interview process will be conducted for all interested candidates. In collaboration with our school administration and Pastor, we believe it is important to respond swiftly and decisively. This transition reflects our commitment to providing stability and demonstrating to our student-athletes that, together, we can face challenges with unity and strength."

Notre Dame becomes the second SOC I school to hire a new head football coach this offseason, as Shane Colvin was hired at Green — taking over for Larry Hall, who led the Bobcats in their 2024 campaign. 

Notre Dame opens its season on Aug. 22 at Fairfield Christian.