Laconia Sachems have new athletic director: Former coach hired to lead sports program, student affairs

LACONIA — Laconia High School has a new athletic and student affairs director: Chad Davis. The city resident and longtime Belmont Middle School physical education teacher is excited about the new opportunity in a new school district.

“I expect our teams to compete at the highest level, including bringing home championships, but at the end of the day the most important thing for our program is to address core values,” Davis said. “The wins and losses will take care of themselves if we do that.”

Davis grew up in South China, Maine, a small community just outside Augusta, before heading to Fryeburg Academy, where he graduated high school. He went to Plymouth State College, where he received an undergraduate degree in physical education with a minor in health, and a teacher certificate. He also received a master’s degree there in education, with a focus on administration.

When he finished his undergraduate degree in 1995, he student-taught at Laconia Middle School, getting a little idea of what it’s like to be a Sachem more than 30 years ago. He also worked in the men’s basketball office with Paul Hogan, a part-time basketball coach and elementary physical education teacher at Woodland Heights, and a state championship-winning baseball coach for Laconia High.

“That gave me a taste of what Laconia is about,” Davis said. “Right away, I could tell that this community is very passionate about athletics.”

Wide range of experience

Davis has had an array of jobs and accomplishments over the past three decades, and since 1996, has been a physical education teacher at Belmont Middle School. He also prepared P.E. budgets, while developing and implementing an adaptive curriculum.

He’s had various leadership responsibilities over the years, notably serving as an interim associate principal in 2019. He was also a team leader for the Belmont Middle School Unified Arts program; the K-12 P.E. curriculum coordinator; and a member of the BMS and Shaker Regional School District leadership teams.

Since 2005, Davis has been a New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association certified sports official for soccer, basketball, and women’s lacrosse, and has had leadership roles such as on the executive board for soccer and basketball officials.

Davis was the Laconia High boys varsity basketball coach from 2006 to 2011, and before that, he coached the Belmont High School team 1996-2000, winning the Laconia Citizen Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year Award in 1997. He also coached junior varsity boys soccer, middle school baseball, and unified basketball at the middle school.

Davis coached men’s basketball at Daniel Webster College from 2003 to 2006, and was the assistant men’s basketball coach at Saint Anselm College 2002-04.

From 2023 to 2024, Davis served as the executive director of the Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association sailing school.

Principal Lisa Hinds said “five highly qualified candidates” were interviewed for the position. Some had leadership experience, and others had athletic experience.

“Chad was the one candidate that was the complete package for both,” Hinds said.

Hinds said the hiring committee was excited about him joining the team. She said Davis came well recommended, as he is known in athletic circles in the Lakes Region, and statewide.

“That stood out to us,” Hinds said. “He has all the hallmarks of a strong athletic director.”

As director of student affairs, Hinds said Davis will be directly responsible for the climate and culture in the building. A main part of that job will be student attendance, and she said his experience in leadership roles, and building curriculum, will help immensely.

One thing that led to his hiring was commitment, as he spent three decades in Belmont schools, even as a Laconia resident.

“He is known in the community, known and trusted,” Hinds said. “He is personable and always positive.”

When the hiring committee debriefed, one thing each member referenced was he said his job was to serve the people who serve the kids. He said this is what it means for him to be an administrator.

“For us, that is everything when it comes to Sachem pride, and believing in Sachem Nation,” Hinds said.

Applying to LHS

For the last several years, Davis was thinking it could be time for another professional challenge. He was blessed to work in Belmont, saying it was an incredible run with great staff and students.

Davis said there were a variety of reasons he applied, notably because the community has a passion for athletics, great facilities, and a great group of hardworking employees with school spirit.

He said there’s a rich tradition in Laconia when it comes to athletics, and he wants to help educate students, and student-athletes, about that tradition.

“One of my jobs is to make sure we do that,” Davis said. “They’ve got the torch, and they will hold onto that and pass it onto the next group that comes through.”

Goals

“This year, for me, it is just to watch and observe all of our programs before any changes that need to be made,” Davis said, referring to athletics. “Right now, I’m just evaluating. As we get into the spring, then we can sit down and talk about goals and the direction we need to go.”

Davis will spend time educating himself on how business is conducted, and then he can look at the strengths and weaknesses, and find ways to ensure student-athletes have the best experience possible. He said athletics is an extension of the classroom, and expectations align.

“I will continue to make sure that our teams, our coaches, and our players are focused on sportsmanship, teamwork, discipline, loyalty and responsibility.”

Looking toward the future, Davis knows there are some facilities which will need upgrades. He said it is nearly time for new turf to be laid down at the BankNH Stadium, which should be a high priority in a couple years.

This is the first administrative role for Davis, so he looks to continue to grow as an educator. He is currently in a program at New England College to get his principal’s certification.

“I have such a diverse background with some leadership positions, coaching and officiating, and obviously that helps,” he said. “But I want to continue to grow as an educator, and as an administrator.”

Leadership transition

Davis knows he has some big shoes to fill, as he is the successor to Craig Kozens, the legendary Sachem football coach and outgoing athletic director. As Davis takes the role Kozens left, he knows his predecessor is only a phone call away during the transition.

Kozens departed Laconia High for what Hinds called “his dream job,” working for the NHIAA as assistant executive director. Hinds said he will be working with schools in the new adoption of middle school athletics into the NHIAA. Kozens was dean of students and athletic director for about 20 years, and before that, he taught math and P.E.

Kozens is also widely known for leading the Sachems on the football field for more than three decades, and Hinds referred to him as “Mr. Sachem.”

“Craig was the heart and soul of Sachem pride from the beginning,” Hinds said. “There are a couple decades of kids who walked across the stage at graduation and went on to do great things, solely because of Craig’s support.”

Hinds said Kozens has impacted plenty of people in Laconia, and he will be missed greatly. He was unavailable for comment for this story, and Hinds knows it was difficult for him to leave the district after so many memories forged with students, teachers, and administrators.

Hinds appreciates how Davis values what Kozens built.

“Chad doesn’t want to make big changes, but evaluate what is happening, and build off it, and make it better,” Hinds said.

For the past month, Davis has been serving double duty between finishing out his responsibilities at Belmont Middle, and as new athletic director at Laconia High.

What’s the one thing he’s most looking forward to? That would be Oct. 1, when he is a full-time member of the Sachem community.

Leaving behind the Shaker district after 30 years of teaching is bittersweet.

“I’ll miss the relationships with staff, administration, parents, the community,” Davis said. “It’s been an incredible run, and I have a special place in my heart for them. Some of them have been my mentors both professionally and personally, and I’ll continue to stay in touch, even though I’m 7 miles down the road.”