FAMU's Chili Davis Lands Assistant Special Teams Coach Role with Minnesota Vikings

TALLAHASSEE, FL - The Minnesota Vikings have added a rising coaching talent from the HBCU community to their staff, announcing the hiring of Chili Davis as their new Assistant Special Teams Coach for the 2026 season. Davis, who spent the 2022 campaign as Special Teams Coordinator at Florida A&M University (FAMU), will now join Kevin O'Connell's coaching staff, working under Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels.

Davis' journey from the HBCU ranks to the NFL showcases the wealth of coaching expertise within the Black college football community. His single season at FAMU proved to be a career-defining moment, as the Rattlers' special teams unit emerged as one of the most productive in the FCS. The team finished 9-2 overall and 7-1 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play, capping the year with a dominant victory in the Florida Classic over rival Bethune-Cookman.

During his time with the Rattlers, Davis oversaw a special teams unit that ranked among the best in the FCS, including three blocked kicks, an 81% field goal conversion rate, and multiple all-conference and HBCU All-America selections.

"He was their special teams coordinator at Maryland, but was part of our first diversity coaching summit and then also was part of the Bill Walsh Fellowship," said Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. "He has kind of slowly spent more and more time around us and staff — a really high-capacity young coach I'm excited about."

O'Connell's comments highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion initiatives within the NFL, as programs like the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship and the Vikings' own diversity coaching summit provided Davis with valuable exposure and opportunities to connect with Minnesota's staff.

Continuing the HBCU Coaching Pipeline to the NFL

Chili Davis' journey from FAMU to the Vikings is a testament to the wealth of coaching talent within the HBCU community. His successful tenure with the Rattlers, coupled with his subsequent career progression, underscores the invaluable contributions HBCU coaches can make at the highest levels of the sport.

For the HBCU community, Davis' hiring represents a significant milestone, as it further validates the coaching expertise cultivated within Black college football programs. It also serves as a powerful example for aspiring HBCU coaches, demonstrating that the path to the NFL is attainable through hard work, dedication, and the ability to produce results at the collegiate level.

As Chili Davis embarks on his new role with the Minnesota Vikings, the HBCU community can take immense pride in his success and the continued expansion of the HBCU coaching pipeline to the professional ranks.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.