BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Joe Davidson, who served the 2021 season as Samford's interim head women's golf coach, has been named the program's permanent head coach, Director of Athletics Martin Newton announced today.
 
"Joe Davidson made a huge difference in our women's golf program in just one season and we are excited to make him our permanent head coach.," Newton said. "He is respected, not only by his players, but by everyone he has come in contact with throughout his long career. I look forward to seeing our program continue to grow under Joe's leadership."
 
Davidson engineered a turnaround in the women's golf program in the spring of 2021. At the SoCon Championships, the team posted the lowest 36-hole score ever for a Samford team in the SoCon Tournament, and Bailey Dunstan posted the best performance for a Samford player at the SoCon Championship since 2015.
 
"I want to thank Martin Newton and Michelle Durban for giving me this opportunity to work with a great group of young ladies," Davidson said. "I have always loved working with and influencing young people and this provides me an opportunity to coach and teach a game that I have always loved. And doing that at a place like Samford makes it even more special to me."
 
After the season, Dunstan and fellow freshman Kelley Topiwala made the cut for the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball.
 
Davidson came to Samford Athletics in April 2016. Prior to taking over the women's golf program, he worked as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Facilities and Operations. In addition to his oversight of the facilities and operations staff, Davidson has served on Newton's Senior Leadership Team for the department.
 
Davidson owns two degrees from UAB. He earned a B.S. in Education in 1981 and a Master's in Education with an emphasis on Athletic/Sports Administration in 1983.