David Holcomb is a graduate of William Jewell College and Baylor University, where he received both the M.A. and Ph.D. He came to Samford in 2025 after 23 years at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.  At UMHB, Holcomb taught courses in constitutional law, religion and politics, political theory, and the American presidency.  Holcomb was the founding coordinator of UMHB’s semester-long study abroad program in London and directed the university’s honors program for 15 years.

Holcomb’s academic specialty is church-state relations.  His publications include the book, Guardian of the Wall: Leo Pfeffer and the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment, as well as articles in the Journal of Law and Religion and the Journal of Church and State.

Holcomb is married to Dr. Carol Crawford Holcomb and has three adult sons.  He enjoys tennis, travel, reading, and singing in his church choir.

Degrees and Credentials

• PhD, Baylor University
• MA, Baylor University
• BA, William Jewell College