Al Davis

Just win, baby

Allen R. Davis (July 4, 1929 – October 8, 2011) was an American professional football executive and coach. He was the managing general partner, principal owner and de facto general manager for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL) for 39 years, from 1972 until his death in 2011. Prior to becoming principal owner of the Raiders, he served as the team's head coach from 1963 to 1965 and as a part-owner from 1966 to 1971, assuming both positions while the Raiders were members of the American Football League (AFL). He served as the AFL commissioner in 1966.

Quick Facts

Born: 4 July 1929
Birthplace: Brockton, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died: 8 October 2011
Place of death: Oakland, California, U.S.
High school: Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn, New York)
College: Syracuse

Lore & Background

Known for his motto 'Just win, baby', Davis managed the Raiders becoming one of the NFL's most successful and popular teams. The franchise enjoyed its greatest successes during the 1970s and 1980s where it was a perennial playoff contender and won three Super Bowl titles. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992. Davis was active in civil rights, refusing to allow the Raiders to play in any city where black and white players had to stay in separate hotels. He was the first NFL owner in the modern era to hire a black head coach (Art Shell), the first to hire a female chief executive (Amy Trask), and the first NFL owner to hire a Latino head coach (Tom Flores). He remains the only person to have served as a scout, general manager, assistant coach, a head coach, a commissioner (of a league), and an owner of a team.

Reader's Guide

Davis was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, to a Jewish family. He graduated from high school in January 1947, enrolling at Wittenberg College, then transferred to Syracuse University. He later briefly attended Hartwick College before returning to Syracuse. After earning his master's degree, he was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1952, coaching the Fort Belvoir football squad. After discharge in 1954, he worked as a freelance scout for the Baltimore Colts, then became an assistant coach at The Citadel in 1955. He later served as an assistant coach at USC.

Did You Know?

Davis coached Fort Belvoir to an 8–2–1 record while serving in the U.S. Army.
He never played high school varsity football, making him one of the few NFL/AFL head coaches without that experience.

The Las Vegas Transition

It explicitly states that constructing a new stadium was an issue his father Al was never able to solve during his tenure as owner. The relocation effort described is led by Mark Davis, who began exclusive discussions with Las Vegas after disputes over rent in Oakland and the failure of the Carson proposal.

The Failed Bay Area Proposals

It notes that Mark Davis initially desired to keep the Raiders in Oakland or the immediate area but began communicating with other cities when a stadium plan was lacking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Al Davis?

He served as the principal owner of the franchise from 1972 until his death in 2011, having previously started as general manager in 1966. His leadership defined the team's identity for nearly forty years.

What role did Al Davis play on the team?

Davis managed every facet of the organization, making him known for his intense involvement in daily decision-making. He held dual authority as both the top executive and general manager during his time with the club.

When did Al Davis take ownership of the Raiders?

Following a brief tenure as AFL commissioner, he took over as general manager in 1966 and later secured full ownership rights in 1972. He remained at the helm until his death more than thirty years later.