- April 26, 2024
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Mainland defensive coordinator Lester Davis holds the Buccaneers' state runner-up trophy. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland head football coach Travis Roland nominated defensive coordinator Lester Davis for Standing O recognition. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland head coach Travis Roland and defensive coordinator Lester Davis. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland's defense crushes Rockledge during the team's 16-14 regional semifinal win. Photo by Michele Meyers
Ty Richmond was one of coach Lester Davis' go-to defensive players during the season. Photo by Michele Meyers
Drayden Wood (25) runs off the field with teammate L.J. McCray (11) after Wood dove for an interception that sealed Mainland's win against Rockledge in the Region 3-3S semifinal game. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland players and coaches are jubilant after the 16-14 win against Rockledge. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland defensive players Bert Plummer (22), Ramon McCollough (66) and L.J. McCray celebrate after shutting down University's offense. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland defensive coordinator Lester Davis. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland defensive coordinator Lester Davis. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland defensive coordinator Lester Davis. Photo by Michele Meyers
Mainland defensive coordinator Lester Davis. Photo by Michele Meyers
Players call him Mr. Incredible.
Mainland football coach Travis Roland calls him the program changer.
Most importantly, defensive coordinator Lester Davis is a conduit for positive player development.
Roland gave Davis the thumbs up to start the Leadership Council in March 2022 which was instrumental in cultivating a player-driven team as opposed to a coach-driven team this season. Both coaches believe this created a closer brotherhood and empowered the team captains to become vocal leaders. This helped turn the season into a power-drive to the Class 3S state championship game.
Twelve players were selected to join the Leadership Council where they were taught leadership skills and operated under the theme of service. They have since participated in a food drive, a toy drive, volunteered at the Ocean Center, read to students at elementary schools and delivered meals to the community after practice on Thanksgiving Day. With their own money, they bought toiletries and other necessities, put them in bags and handed them out to the homeless. They handed out 200 bags on Ridgewood Avenue by the shelter.
“Starting the Leadership Council was a way to train our kids and give them the skills necessary to be leaders,” Davis said. “Not just in school but outside of school, outside of football, at their jobs, in their community — whatever they’re involved in. The fruits of this football team were based off the council being formed. Those became our leaders and captains for this year’s football team.”
Davis was raised in the Ormond Beach-Daytona Beach area where he graduated from Seabreeze High School in 1999. He continued his education and played football for the Bulldogs at South Carolina State University. After a solid college career, Davis tried out for the New York Giants. He did not make the cut. Even though he had always wanted to be a professional football player, the life-changing event led him to his true calling — to work with kids.
“Everything happens for a reason. I know I’m walking in my purpose. I know my gift is to be with kids. I think coming back to be able to give my community what I was given and what I learned along the way is part of that purpose.”
LESTER DAVIS, Mainland defensive coordinator and business ownership teacher
“Everything happens for a reason,” he said. “I know I’m walking in my purpose. I know my gift is to be with kids. I think coming back to be able to give my community what I was given and what I learned along the way is part of that purpose.”
He returned to Ormond Beach after he received news that his mom had COVID in 2021. He reached out to Roland who at that time was coaching at Flagler Palm Coast High School. Everything was arranged for him to join the coaching staff at FPC when Roland got the call from Mainland to take over as head coach when Scott Wilson retired. Roland asked if Davis wanted to be a Buccaneer.
“I think he chose us,” Roland said. “I was looking for somebody that I could trust that was a good football coach. He applied for the job in one of the greatest ways ever. He sent his teaching and coaching resume which let me know right away that he respected our profession. Once we talked I knew he would be a great fit for us.”
Davis got a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at SCSU and now teaches business ownership at Mainland High School. He also continues to initiate new creative ways to motivate the football players and involve the community in their efforts. He has started “Beast Come Out at Night” which entails the players showing off their weightlifting prowess. Entry is free to the community with a non-perishable food item or donation. He has also spearheaded “Letters to Mom” where seniors write a letter to their moms. Pictures of the players with their moms and the letters are framed then read out loud at a banquet. There was not a dry eye in the house at the inaugural event last year.
Roland expects more to come from Davis and is open to new ideas — possibly delegating a few more tasks.
“I think a great sign of a leader is being able to follow when you need to and being able to admit where someone else is strong in an area that you are weak,” Roland said. “Being a hard worker myself, I struggle with being able to delegate and let go, but this off season he also begged me to take over the weight room. He’s taken on a lot but you’d never be able to tell because of the way he takes it and what he does with it.”
