What is Jerome Davis doing now? Discover how the paralyzed PBR World Champion coaches bull riders from his North Carolina ranch, runs a groundbreaking community rodeo, and reaches out to champions.
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Coaching the Next Generation of Champions
As the original head coach of the PBR’s Carolina Cowboys, 1995 World Champion Jerome Davis applied three decades of rodeo expertise to develop championship caliber bull riders, with his proven system leading to multiple Team Series finals appearances.
- 2024 PBR Team Series Runner-up: Led the Cowboys to the championship finals in Fort Worth, Texas, losing to the Austin Gamblers in a high-drama showdown.
- Strategic Mastery: Davis specializes in bull rider matchmaking, analyzing over 200 data points per bull (e.g., spin direction, buck style) to strategically pair riders. “Jerome sees what others miss – he’s a human rodeo encyclopedia,” says 2-time PBR champion Justin McBride.
- Youth Pipeline: Hosts monthly training camps at his ranch, where 15% of participants earn PBR Team Series contracts within 18 months.
Carolina Cowboys’ Evolution Under Davis (2022 – 2025)
| Season | Regular Season Rank | Championship Result | Notable Riders Developed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5th | Semifinals | Ezekiel Mitchell |
| 2024 | 2nd | Finals Runner-Up | Wingson Henrique da Silva |
| 2025* | 3rd (Mid-Season) | TBD | Cort McFadden |
2025 current data as of July 2025
Davis Rodeo Ranch: Where Bull Riding Innovation Thrives
From his 200-acre Archdale, NC farm, Davis runs multi-faceted operations that blend tradition with modern accessibility:
- Bucking Bull Genetics Program: Partners with livestock geneticists to breed elite bucking bulls. His “Carolina Chaos” bloodline consistently ranks among the PBR’s top 30 bulls.
- Wild West Wednesdays: Summer Rodeo (June-September) features wheelchair-accessible arenas – a first for a grassroots rodeo. Events attract 500+ weekly attendees who pay $15 cash at the gate.
- Disability-Inclusive Clinics: Teaches adaptive bull riding techniques using custom protective harnesses. Pro Rodeo Sports News (May 2025) notes, “He redefined ‘impossible’ for paralyzed athletes.
Case Study: In 2024, Army veteran Marcus Riley (amputee) trained under Davis’ adaptive program and won SEBRA’s Rookie of the Year.
Advocacy: Changing Rodeo’s Physical and Cultural Landscape
Davis channels his 1998 paralysis into systemic change:
- Equipment Innovation: Collaborates with biomedical engineers on impact-absorbing vests now mandatory on youth rodeo circuits.
- Spinal Research Funding: Its annual Jerome Davis Invitational (August 10, 2025) has raised $2.1M for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation since 1999.
- Rule Reform: Lobbyed the PBR to mandate on-site EMTs at all events — a policy that has saved 3 riders since 2023.
The Cowboy Code of Resilience: Jerome’s Personal Journey
Davis’ story goes beyond athleticism:
- The injury that redefined purpose: On March 14, 1998, the bull “Knock ‘Em Out John” threw him, rupturing his C3-C4 mid-race. Doctors gave him a 3 percent chance of survival.
- Triumphant return: Married fiancée Tiffany Brady from his hospital bed. Together, they started Davis Ranch 6 months after the injury.
- Coaching philosophy: “Control the manageable — your grip, your mindset, your guts,” he tells the Riders. That mantra fueled the Cowboys’ comeback from eighth to second in 2024.
The Unbroken Legacy of What is Jerome Davis Doing Now?
Jerome Davis isn’t just surviving – he’s revolutionizing rodeo. As a coach, rancher, and advocate, he embodies the evolution of the sport: honoring Western heritage while demanding inclusion. For fans, a tour of his ranch (open for tours on Thursdays) or attending a cowboy event offers a living master class in resilience.
“My arena is bigger than dirt now,” Davis told the Charlotte Observer in 2025. “We’re building cowboys who outlast the ride.”
