History of Al Davis in Timeline

Al Davis was a prominent figure in American professional football, most notably with the Oakland Raiders. He served as the Raiders' head coach (1963-1965) and later became the managing general partner, principal owner, and de facto general manager from 1972 until his death in 2011. He was part owner from 1966 to 1971. Before his time with the Raiders, Davis also briefly served as commissioner of the American Football League (AFL) in 1966. He was known for his aggressive, win-at-all-costs mentality and his commitment to player rights and diversity.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

July 4, 1929: Allen R. Davis Born

On July 4, 1929, Allen R. Davis was born. He would later become a prominent figure in professional football as an executive and coach.

Others born on this day/year

1934: Move to Brooklyn

In 1934, Louis Davis moved his family, including young Allen, to Brooklyn, New York, where he found success in the garment trade.

January 1947: Enrolled at Wittenberg College

In January 1947, at the age of 17, Al Davis graduated high school and immediately enrolled at Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio.

1948: Briefly Transferred to Hartwick College

In 1948, Al Davis briefly transferred to Hartwick College in New York before returning to Syracuse University.

1952: Inducted into the US Army

In 1952, after receiving his master's degree and his student deferral ending, Al Davis was inducted into the United States Army.

1953: Football Coach for Fort Belvoir

In 1953, Al Davis became the football coach for the Fort Belvoir football squad, located just south of Washington, D.C.

1954: Discharge from the Army

In 1954, Al Davis was discharged from the Army, having served at Fort Belvoir.

January 1955: Hired by The Citadel

In January 1955, Al Davis was hired by The Citadel in South Carolina as an assistant to the first-year head coach, John Sauer.

1956: The Citadel Season

In 1956, The Citadel finished the season with a less successful record of 3-5-1. Al Davis resigned at the end of the season, unsuccessfully seeking the head coaching position.

1956: NCAA Probation

In 1956, When Al Davis arrived, USC was on NCAA probation for allowing alumni to surreptitiously give money to players, and had not been permitted to play in a bowl game after the 1956 season.

1957: Season at USC

In 1957, Al Davis's first two seasons at USC were hampered by NCAA sanctions, during which the team posted a combined 5-14-1 record.

1958: Season at USC

In 1958, Al Davis's first two seasons at USC were hampered by NCAA sanctions, during which the team posted a combined 5-14-1 record.

April 1959: USC Sanctioned by NCAA

In April 1959, USC was sanctioned again by the NCAA for inducing recruits signed by other schools into breaking their letters of intent. They were not allowed to play on television.

1959: Gillman Fired

In 1959, Sid Gillman was fired after the season from the Los Angeles Rams. Shortly afterwards he hired by the Los Angeles Chargers of the startup American Football League (AFL) for their debut 1960 season.

1960: Hired by Chargers

In 1960, Al Davis was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers of the American Football League (AFL) as backfield coach.

1960: AFL Western Division

In 1960, the Los Angeles Chargers won the AFL Western Division.

1960: Raiders Join AFL

In 1960, the Raiders team was a late addition to the original AFL after the AFL Minnesota team joined the NFL instead.

1961: AFL Western Division

In 1961, the Los Angeles Chargers won the AFL Western Division.

1962: Spoke with Oakland Raiders

Early in the 1962 season, Al Davis spoke with Oakland Raiders owner F. Wayne Valley about their head coaching job but was not then interested.

1962: Signed Lance Alworth

In 1962, Al Davis signed Lance Alworth to a contract under the goalpost at the conclusion of Alworth's final college game.

January 1, 1963: Met with Raiders

On January 1, 1963, Al Davis met with Raiders owner F. Wayne Valley and general partner Ed McGah to discuss the head coaching job.

January 18, 1963: Came to Oakland

On January 18, 1963, Al Davis came to Oakland.

1963: Raiders Head Coach

In 1963, Al Davis became the head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

1963: Refusal to Play in Segregated Alabama

In 1963, Al Davis, as coach of the Raiders, refused to allow the team to play a preseason game in Mobile, Alabama, due to the state's segregation laws. He demanded the game be moved to Oakland. He also refused to allow players to travel to cities where black and white players would have to stay in separate hotels.

1965: End of Raiders Head Coaching Stint

In 1965, Al Davis's tenure as head coach of the Oakland Raiders came to an end.

1966: First Meeting with John Madden

In 1966, Al Davis had his first meeting with John Madden. They remained close since then. Madden expressed great respect and admiration for Davis.

1966: AFL Commissioner

In 1966, Al Davis served as the commissioner of the American Football League (AFL).

1971: Part Owner of the Raiders

From 1966 to 1971, Al Davis was part owner of the Oakland Raiders.

1972: Became Principal Owner

In 1972, Al Davis became the managing general partner, principal owner, and de facto general manager of the Oakland Raiders, a position he held until his death in 2011.

1978: Introduced Alworth at Hall of Fame

In 1978, Al Davis was selected by Lance Alworth to introduce him at his induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

1979: Carol Davis' Heart Attack

In 1979, Carol Davis, Al Davis' wife, suffered a serious heart attack and was hospitalized for three weeks, but she made a complete recovery.

1992: Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame

In 1992, Al Davis was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the sport and his success with the Raiders.

1996: Heart Surgery

In 1996, Al Davis underwent heart surgery.

2001: Death of Rose Davis

In 2001, Al Davis' mother, Rose, passed away at the age of 103. She had outlived her husband, Lou, by 40 years.

2003: Induction into Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

In 2003, Al Davis was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

2003: Start of Raiders' Losing Seasons

In 2003, the Raiders began a period of struggle, initiating a streak of seven consecutive losing seasons that lasted until 2009. The team's performance declined significantly during this time.

2007: JaMarcus Russell Drafted

In 2007, the Raiders selected JaMarcus Russell as the first overall draft pick. He was later deemed a significant disappointment.

2009: End of Raiders' Losing Seasons

The Raiders' period of struggle, which started in 2003, ended in 2009, having endured seven consecutive losing seasons, which was the longest drought in franchise history.

May 2010: JaMarcus Russell Released

In May 2010, the Raiders released JaMarcus Russell, their 2007 first overall draft pick, who was considered a significant disappointment. Russell never played another down in the NFL after his release.

October 8, 2011: Allen R. Davis Death

On October 8, 2011, Allen R. Davis passed away. He was the managing general partner, principal owner, and de facto general manager of the Oakland Raiders for 39 years.

2011: Raiders' Season and Davis' Death

In 2011, at the time of Al Davis' death, the Raiders had a record of 2–2. They finished the season with an 8-8 record, missing the playoffs after a 7-4 start.

2020: Relocation to Las Vegas

In 2020, when the Raiders relocated to Las Vegas, the torch from the Coliseum was moved to the team's new headquarters in Henderson, Nevada. At Allegiant Stadium, an 85 feet tall torch was built.