Josh Davis has been named as Upper Iowa University's new head women's soccer coach. Davis joins the Peacocks after a year and a half at Oklahoma Panhandle State University, a NAIA institution in Goodwell, Oklahoma.
 
"I am excited for our Peacock women's soccer program," said Vice President for Athletics Rick Hartzell. "Our women's team is on an upward trajectory and Josh Davis is the right person to not only continue to great movement forward, but he is the right person to bring the program together under one vision. Early on in the hiring process, Josh elevated himself above the competition and became a front runner. He brings a wealth of experience at very high levels and believes in building a culture of success on the field, in the classroom and in life. He will hold the student-athletes accountable, but understands today's student-athletes and the variety of delivery methods needed to get points across."
 
Davis led the Aggie women's soccer program, which played in 2019 for the first time in university history, through the spring of 2021 before serving all of the 2021-22 year with the team.
 
"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to lead the UIU women's soccer team," said Davis. "Upper Iowa has an amazing aura about it, and I can't wait to get to campus and start working with our staff and players. The Northern Sun Conference is a great conference; I am looking forward to creating a brand and style of soccer that gives us the best opportunity to compete in one of the nation's top conferences. I am looking forward to working with all the coaches in the conference. I want to thank President William R. Duffy, Vice President Rick Hartzell and the search committee for trusting me with the leadership of the UIU women's soccer program. I also would like to thank all the mentors and players I have worked with over my career. They have all had an impact on the coach I am today."
 
Prior to his time at OPSU, Davis was the associate head coach at the University of North Dakota for the 2018 season. The University of North Dakota finished the season 9-6-2, which marked the program's best record since moving to NCAA Division I. The Fighting Hawks only surrendered 10 goals to their opponents, while scoring 41 to lead the Summit League in both categories.
 
Davis continued, "Our playing style will focus on proper decision-making. We will look to challenge our players to problem solve and play as fast as we can while be a very organized team when defending. My expectations for our student-athletes is to look to be better every day, not just as soccer players, but to be the best version of themselves every day in whatever they are doing."

Before moving to Grand Forks, N.D., Davis spent four seasons in Moscow, Idaho as an associate head women's soccer coach at the University of Idaho. During his time with the Vandals (2014-17), Davis was part of the staff that trained Big Sky Goalkeeper of the Year Amanda Poertner and two-time All-Big Sky performer Kavita Battan. Battan was the first player in program history to sign a professional contract. The 2015 Vandals team set program marks for wins, points, goals, assists, shutouts, goals against, and attendance.
 
A year later, Davis recruited 2016 Big Sky Freshman of the Year Emma Eddy to Moscow. For the second straight campaign, the Vandals led the league in goals scored and the fewest goals allowed. Overall, he mentored 47 Big Sky All-Academic honorees and 21 All-Big Sky selections, including seven first-teamers.
 
Before UND and Idaho, he was the first assistant coach at IUPU-Fort Wayne (2013-14). Before that, he was the first assistant at NCAA II California State University, San Bernardino (2013) and NCAA III Whittier College (2011-12). He began his college coaching career as a volunteer assistant at NCAA I California State University, Fullerton (2008-10).
 
Davis also served as the head varsity girls' coach at Moscow High School for two seasons (2019-2020). The program set records in goals, assists, points and wins. Under the leadership of Davis, Moscow had its most successful season since the start of the program in 1999, winning the district title and reaching the Idaho State Tournament for the first time since 2011. Davis led the Inland Empire League Coaching Staff of the Year in 2019 and 2020 and coached 10 All league players and an Inland Empire League MVP.
 
Davis holds National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) certifications of Level I, II, and III Goalkeeper diploma (2008), a National Diploma (2010), NSCA Advanced National Diploma (2011), and the NSCAA Premier Diploma (2011).
 
As a player, Davis began by playing two seasons at Victor Valley Junior College (2002-04) before transferring to Hope International University in California (2004).
 
Davis earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the California State University of Fullerton in 2009. He was awarded a Master of Arts in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University – Irvine in 2013.