Keno Davis lands at Central Michigan

Apr 3, 2012 - 7:00 PM Mount Pleasant, MI (Sports Network) - Former Providence head coach Keno Davis has been named the new men's basketball coach at Central Michigan.

Davis spent the 2011-12 season as an analyst for the Big Ten Network following his three-year tenure at Providence from 2008-11.

"We were looking for a head coach that had experience, an individual with the correct philosophies," said Central Michigan athletic director Dave Heeke while introducing Davis. "We wanted a person that can reach out to our community and our basketball alumni to rally and support our program."

Davis guided the Friars to a record of 46-50 with one postseason appearance. He led the program to an NIT berth in his first year, but a 12-19 mark followed and 15-17 record in 2010-11 led to his firing despite five years remaining on his contract.

"We're going to build the program in the appropriate way," said Davis on Tuesday. "Everyone wants a ton of wins and to win championships, but more importantly you have to have the right kids in the program who are going to represent well in the classroom and community."

Before taking the Providence job, Davis spent one season at Drake and led the Bulldogs to a record of 28-5, earning numerous national coach of the year honors. He was an assistant at Drake under his father, Dr. Tom Davis.

"Growing up around the sport, you get a chance to see a lot of the things that work and some things that didn't work," Davis said about being around his father, who also coached at Iowa, Stanford, Boston College and Lafayette in addition to Drake.

Central Michigan fired Ernie Zeigler on March 14 after an 11-21 season. The Chippewas were 75-111 in Zeigler's six seasons.