[1] He delivered an explosive performance in the 1977 Orange-and-White Game, and briefly pushed future All-SEC lineman Jim Noonan for the starting spot at middle guard.

[2] Playing as a backup to Noonan, Chavis registered 40 tackles (26 solo) and two sacks, and was awarded a scholarship at the end of the year.

Prior to the 1978 season (his senior year), Chavis switched to defensive tackle, and was vaulted into the starting slot after Bill Christian suffered a season-ending knee injury.

[2] Before returning to Tennessee (where he had briefly been a graduate assistant), Chavis had been defensive coordinator at Alabama A&M, a historically Black university.

[5] Chavis and other members of the staff saw increased pressure after a slow start to the 2007 season, including double-digit losses to California and Florida.

Following a 3–6 start and a loss to Steve Spurrier and South Carolina, Phillip Fulmer announced the following Monday that he, at the University's decision, would step down as head coach.

The day of LSU's 2014 Music City Bowl loss to Notre Dame, Chavis turned down a three-year, $5.4 million[7] offer from Les Miles.

That same day, it was reported that Chavis had accepted an offer from Texas A&M to take their then vacant defensive coordinator position.

Fisher did not retain Chavis as defensive coordinator, instead hiring Mike Elko away from Notre Dame.

In January 2018, Chavis was hired to be the defensive coordinator for the Arkansas Razorbacks, under new head coach Chad Morris.

[10] In March 2022, it was announced that Chavis would be joining Skip Holtz's staff as the defensive coordinator for the Birmingham Stallions.