Davis takes job at Providence

Apr 15, 2008 - 5:39 PM PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (Ticker) -- The long search for the new Providence men's basketball coach has officially ended.

Former Drake coach Keno Davis will take over the position with the Friars, the school announced on Tuesday.

A formal press conference is set for later Tuesday afternoon. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Davis guided the Bulldogs to a 28-5 mark in his first season and won the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year award after Drake reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1971.

"We are very excited to have Keno Davis leading our men's basketball program," Providence president Reverend Brian Shanley said. "Over the last several weeks, we have conducted a thorough search. During this process, we talked to some of the most knowledgeable members of the college basketball community.

"It was our task to find a coach who would lead our student-athletes and embrace the college's mission. Keno Davis met all of our selection criteria."

Davis takes over for Tim Welsh, who was let go after 10 seasons on March 15, after Providence went 15-16 and missed the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year.

Providence had pursued George Mason's Jim Larranaga and Massachusetts coach Travis Ford before Davis accepted the position.

"I believe Keno Davis has the knowledge, passion, commitment and ability to bring Providence College basketball to another level," Providence athletics director Bob Driscoll said. "Throughout his career he has demonstrated that he is an excellent leader and teacher. From the first moment I met Keno, I was impressed with his competitive nature and his desire to return Friar basketball to national prominence."

Davis worked as an assistant under his father, Dr. Tom Davis, at Drake from 2003-07 prior to last season.

The 36-year-old Davis started his coaching career as an assistant under Bruce Pearl at Southern Indiana in 1995 and also served as an assistant at Southeast Missouri State.

Drake, which was picked to finish ninth out of 10 teams in the MVC preseason poll this season, was defeated in the first round of the NCAAs, 101-99, in double overtime by Western Kentucky.