BY NIKKI LONGUSKI
Special to The Review

Towards the end of this year, Lake Orion will say good-bye to a well respected teacher and coach, Denny Davis.
Born and raised in Lake Orion, Davis has made many memories here. Both of his parents graduated from Lake Orion, and his father also played baseball at Lake Orion High School, where Davis has taught for 31 years and coached for 26.
A 1965 LOHS graduate, Davis played football and baseball in high school, and went on to graduate from Central Michigan University in 1969. He became a teacher to be able to associate with young people and young ideas.
“My father, who quit school to fight in World War II, values education and always had faith that I would teach and coach,” said Davis.
In the classroom, Davis taught economics, investments and managing money.
“It is something that is valuable to know in the world after you graduate and are ready to go on to college,” he said.
Davis has some favorite memories from his many years of teaching. Some include coming back to LOHS to teach with his former teachers and coaches.
“I now teach with people I taught or coached, Mr. Bell, Mr. Whitaker, Mr. Manzo and Miss Hudson,” he said. “I have taught sons and daughters of former teammates and friends, and sharing the success stories of former students is one of the greatest pleasures.
“I have former students who I hunt, fish or have coached with,” Davis said.
A coach for seventh grade girls basketball, ninth grade volleyball, junior varsity volleyball and varsity softball, Davis has also coached light and heavyweight football, freshman football, junior varsity and in the 1980s, varsity football for a year as an assistant.
Coaching is another one of Davis’ biggest memories. In his 32 years, Davis said coaching with Gary Kibby is the highlight of his coaching career.
“He is technically the best coach I know and a friend,” Davis said. “I introduced Jim McGraw to coaching a few years ago.
“One day I was told that one of our ninth grade players was the subject of a drive by shooting. Rumor at least, so I told Mr. McGraw his job was to stay between me and the road, it was a football thing,” said Davis.
“At the end of the day, after Jim stayed between the road and the head coach, I told him about the rumor. He couldn’t believe that I didn’t tell him. A couple days later the gang was arrested.”
Another one of his highlights was being able to coach student athletes and watch their careers soar.
“I have coached many student athletes that have had success in college and have successful careers in education, business, and a major in the Marines, along with a college professor,” he said.
“I have been lucky enough to coach in over 1000 contests and have been associated with approximately 650 victories.
“The one thing most non-coaches don’t seem to relate to is the unpleasant job associated with cut day,” Davis said. “The toughest job of any coach is cut day. You must be fair and respect the efforts of the team candidates, while selecting the best team.”
As someone who has spent his career listening and watching young people grow and expand their ideas, Davis is giving personal advice to young coaches and teachers.
“Follow your dreams, do what you think is right so that you like yourself and can sleep at night,” he said. “I have two sayings on my wall at home that I try to follow. Mark Twain’s saying which was behind Harry S. Truman’s desk; ‘Always do right, it will gratify some and astonish the rest.’
“And to paraphrase on an old Chinese proverb; ‘The solider who conquers himself is the greatest warrior.'”
For his retirement, Davis plans to continue coaching and teach part-time at a private school.
“I hope to continue coaching three sports; football, volleyball and softball, in Lake Orion; as long as that fire to succeed continues,” he said.
“We have great athletes who are a joy to be around, great parents and outstanding facilities. I’m not setting a number of years to continue coaching, but I’ll know when it’s time.”