ABCA member Barry Davis is a prominent college baseball coach of 35 years, a leadership consultant, and a keynote speaker. Currently an assistant at Princeton University, Davis is recognized nationally for his skills in program transformation—having revitalized three college baseball programs himself—to the tune of 1,000+ wins, four Junior College National Championships, six Metro-Atlantic Conference Championships, and four NCAA DI Regional Tournament appearances. Davis is a five-time Hall of Famer, has a Ph.D. in sports leadership from Concordia University Chicago and specializes in rebuilding programs and culture development.
In his new novel Old Dog, New Tricks: The Power of Leading with Emotional Intelligence, Davis delivers an inspiring story that blends hard coaching truths with the modern science of emotional intelligence (EQ). Through the redemption arc of a brash, disgraced coach, Davis provides a powerful case for EQ as an essential tool for leadership, especially in high-pressure environments like athletics.
At the center of the narrative is Darren Blood, an old-school coach with a tarnished reputation, a confrontational style, and a trail of professional failures. Once respected for his tactical brilliance, Blood has become a cautionary tale: twice fired and still shadowed by scandal. When Dr. James Harding, a university president and emotional intelligence scholar, offers him a last-chance opportunity to lead the floundering women’s basketball team at Virginia Central State University, Blood must either evolve or fade into obscurity.
As the new head coach of the Lady Foxhounds, a program plagued by defeat and dysfunction, Blood is forced to confront his outdated methods and emotional blind spots. With the support—and sometimes tough love—of Dr. Harding, he begins to learn the value of empathy, self-awareness, and relationship management. What follows is a dramatic transformation not only of a team, but of a leader learning to win with heart as well as grit.
The book opens with a foreword by Dr. Rob Gilbert, renowned sports psychologist and performance coach, who calls it “the best athletic leadership book ever written.” He writes, “Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. Old Dog, New Tricks is Hoosiers meets The One Minute Manager—it’s inspiring, insightful, and packed with powerful leadership lessons. If you’re a coach, athletic director, or administrator, this book is required reading. Read it. Apply it. And expect a miracle.”
Endorsements from respected voices across the sports world underscore the book’s relevance and power:
“Old Dog, New Tricks is a powerful guide that seamlessly blends leadership principles with life-changing lessons. It offers practical insights not only on how to lead others but also on how to lead yourself through personal transformation.”
— Harry Perretta, Former Villanova Women's Basketball Coach, 783 career wins
“Coach Davis draws on his wealth of experience and in-depth study of coaching science. Old Dog, New Tricks is an entertaining and practical reminder that great coaches ‘coach people first, sport second.’ A must-read for anyone serious about getting better.”
— Dr. Wade Gilbert, Coaching Scientist, Author, Professor, Fresno State
“Davis has truly nailed it with Old Dog, New Tricks. You’ll walk away with real-world strategies and insights you can apply immediately. It’s a must-buy for any coach or leader.”
— Jason Thompson, Eight-year NBA vet, Coach, Sioux Falls Skyforce
“Old Dog, New Tricks is a game-changer for leaders who aspire to cultivate a winning mindset and culture.”
— Brian Cain, World-Renowned Mental Performance Coach
Early readers have praised Old Dog, New Tricks for its authenticity, emotional depth, and relevance in today’s evolving leadership landscape. With humor, humility, and hope, Davis makes a compelling case: leaders can change, teams can thrive, and it’s never too late to learn new tricks. Available on Amazon.com.