Chad Davenport is used to winning.

As a Peachtree Ridge High School football assistant from 2006 to 2009, Davenport wore many hats as an offensive coach. He spent time working closely with Lion quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers during his stay in Suwanee.

On Friday nights during the past four seasons, Davenport was right in the mix as Peachtree Ridge won 41 games, including a share of the 2006 GHSA Class-AAAAA state title. Losses were few and far between.

“The football is better down here. The competition is a lot better,” said Davenport, who relocated to Georgia prior to the ’06 season after coaching for 12 years as an assistant in his native North Carolina. “And I also knew I wanted to be a head coach. There are a lot of better opportunities down here, especially if I was patient enough.”

Four years later — and after 16 years of serving as an assistant — he now has his chance.

Davenport’s next challenge no doubt represents the biggest of his coaching life. After being handed the keys to the Northview Titans varsity team on June 15, Davenport is tasked with turning around a program that has enjoyed but a single victory in its past 20 varsity games and has endured three winless seasons in its brief existence.

His first head coaching gig will not be easy, but Davenport is anxious to start building something in Johns Creek.

“I guess the biggest thing is just a sense of trying to bring in more of a program,” said Davenport, who replaces former head coach Jim Showfety, who left for Dunwoody High School earlier this year.

“We want to involve everyone from the Junior Titans to our senior class. That was one of the things that was real good at Peachtree Ridge. We wanna make it where Friday night is the place to be at our place.”

Davenport will serve as his own offensive coordinator, and he said Titan fans can expect to see their team running the ball out of multiple formations.

“I think the popular thing now is the spread,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m not by any means tooting my own horn, but I was spread back in 2002 before it became en vogue.”

Davenport added Northview’s defense will play fast and look to pressure the quarterback, much like his former school’s units have done with much success.

“I’ve seen him interact with the kids in the weight room, and there’s been a good response,” said Northview athletics director Tony Cianciola. “They seem eager and ready to go.”