Duane Davis graduated from Clarke County High School in Grove Hill. He received his degree from Livingston University.

Davis first head coaching job came at his alma mater. Clarke County was on a 27-game losing streak, had only five wins in five seasons and hadnt had a winning season in nearly 30 years when Coach Davis arrived in 1990.

He spent 13 seasons in Grove Hill with an overall 91-55 record. Davis left Clarke County as the winningest coach in school history. His teams made the playoffs in all but two seasons during his tenure with the program.

Davis left for Gulf Shores High School and took over a program that had posted a 1-28 record in three years of varsity football. He became only the second football coach in school history, replacing Robby Guthrie, who had stepped down in May. He also served as the athletic director at Gulf Shores.

Davis teams at Gulf Shores were a combined 26-35 in his six seasons with the young program. His overall coaching record is 116-92 in 19 years as a head football coach.