Saint Augustine’s University President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail removed the interim title and named David Bowser the full-time athletic director in August 2021.
Bowser held the interim AD position since July 2020. He is also the SAU head football coach, a position he has held since November 2019.
“David Bowser was called to build his career in education,” President McPhail said. “He’s interested in a career at Saint Augustine’s University because he can use his gifts and talents to make a difference. Becoming Athletic Director and Head Football Coach is not just another job for him; this role provides an opportunity for David to be engaged with his mind and heart. David is at SAU at the right time in his career and the right time for the University. I am excited about working with David as we build upon our glorious history while re-imagining our future.”
During his time as Interim AD, Bowser has elevated the SAU athletic program despite COVID-19 forcing the cancellation of sports during the 2020-21 season. He spearheaded the inaugural Lawrence “Peaches” Coleman Memorial Golf Tournament. The event, held at Hedingham Golf Course in June 2021, was highly successful with over 100 participants. The golf tournament was held for the second straight year in June 2022.
In 2021, Bowser guided the Falcons to a 21-17 triumph over crosstown rival Shaw to win the Raleigh Classic Trophy. In May 2022, Bowser was named a rising star among on Football Scoop's 2022 Minority Watch Coaching List.
Under Bowser’s direction, SAU Athletics created several events including Student-Athlete Day and a ceremony for graduating student-athletes. The football and men’s and women’s basketball teams are holding youth and high school camps for the second straight year. Before then, there were no sport camps on campus in recent years.
It was Bowser who invited best-selling author and well-known motivational speaker Damon West to give an inspirational message during the SAU Student-Athlete Forum in August 2021. He also was instrumental in starting a series of virtual student-athlete forums this year which focused on mental health.
In May 2021, SAU Athletics received the Innovative Award from the CIAA conference office for finding creative ways to stay in the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic. SAU Athletics was active on social media highlighting former athletic standouts while current student-athletes received local and national media attention for their accomplishments away from sports.
Plans are in the works to increase sponsorship, redesign the weight room and build an athletic field house. It was Bowser's idea to sell football season tickets online.
"I thank Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail for her confidence in me to promote and fulfill the vision for our student-athletes," Bowser said.
Bowser arrived at SAU from Fayetteville State, where he was a highly successful and respected veteran coach. During his 20 years as an assistant coach at FSU, Bowser helped the Broncos emerge as one of the top CIAA football teams, winning conference titles in 2002, 2003 and 2009. In 2019, the Broncos captured their third consecutive Southern Division crown and made their third straight appearance in the CIAA Championship Game.
Prior to his tenure at Fayetteville State, Bowser made a name for himself on the high school level in North Carolina. He established himself as a well-respected coach at Garner High School, Anson High School, Westover High School, Chapel Hill High School and Orange High School.
A 1992 graduate of North Carolina State University, Bowser started his college coaching career at Hampden-Sydney College during the 1999 season. He is a native of Charlotte, N.C.
ABOUT COACH BOWSER
As defensive backs coach at Fayetteville State, Bowser produced several standouts in the Broncos’ secondary.
- In 2014, Bowser coached standout defensive back Michael Johnson, who ranked seventh overall in the CIAA with 7.9 tackles per game. Johnson led FSU in tackles, interceptions and fumble recoveries that season.
- During the 2011 season, Bowser coached a Broncos’ secondary that ranked ninth in the nation in passes defended. Joshua Scales led the nation in interceptions per game with a total of seven.
- Bowser coached preseason Broncos’ All-American Andre Lyles, who tied for first in the CIAA in interceptions and was voted All-CIAA as a junior. He tied for eighth nationally in interceptions per game and ranked fifth in passes defended.
- In 2009, the Broncos secondary ranked third in the CIAA in pass defense and allowed a school record nine yards passing against Virginia State. The Broncos were fourth nationally in Division II in pass defense efficiency during their CIAA Championship run. That season, Jeff Gowdy tied the Broncos’ all-time interception record with 16.
- During the 2008 season, Bowser's unit finished second in the nation in pass defense efficiency and ninth in interceptions. Three Bronco defensive backs - Jeff Gowdy, Robert Allen and Adrian Horton - ranked in the top 20 nationally in passes defended that season. John Hicks ranked 45th in the nation in passes defended and Gowdy led the league in picks.
- Before moving to the defensive side of the ball, Bowser coached several All-CIAA stalwarts as running backs coach including DeAngelo Bridgers, Amir Holding and Nate Benton.
