Post by Commissioner on Mar 25, 2021 20:21:13 GMT -5
I decided to start a new thread here rather than let this get buried in the "Davis to DePaul?" thread.
I don't know Mike Davis or young Mike Davis or Antoine Davis, and everything I say here could be totally wrong and laughed at by people in the know. But there have been quite a few comments, ever since Davis came to UD, by people claiming he's not really committed to the program, and I thought I'd voice what I see.
While I don't know Davis and never followed his career that closely, I also don't ever recall him in the news as a guy searching for coaching jobs. He stepped in to the Indiana job when Knight was fired, and he stayed there through 6 pressure-packed seasons till he finally announced his resignation during the season. But he wasn't out looking for other jobs. He stayed there through the season, and then moved on, landing at UAB. He stayed at UAB until they fired him, and then ended up at Texas Southern, where Vowels found him. He's no Larry Brown.
Vowels, remember, had to spend a long time coaxing Davis to take the UD job. Since he came here, I can't recall any comment he's made suggesting he's not committed to the program or considering any other position. Davis is a guy who exudes commitment. He constantly demands it of his players--sometimes in a manner which has caused some on this board and elsewhere to criticise him. He brought his sons here, one to coach, one to play. Both are good enough to have other options, but both are still here.
He has spoken of a long-term vision for UD. We know he didn't put AD on scholarship the first year, which cost him direct dollars. I have heard from those who should know that he has made a substantial six-figure pledge to the Road to a Championship program.
Coach will be 61 when the 2021-22 season opens. My guess he sees this as his last job. My hope is that he leads the Titans back to some degree of prominence, and then turns things over to his son. Maybe those with actual knowledge know differently, but I think random speculation, without knowledge, that Davis plans or wants to leave is both counterproductive and really unfair to Coach.
I think we're lucky to have him. I see progress, and we need to show both some patience and some confidence.
I don't know Mike Davis or young Mike Davis or Antoine Davis, and everything I say here could be totally wrong and laughed at by people in the know. But there have been quite a few comments, ever since Davis came to UD, by people claiming he's not really committed to the program, and I thought I'd voice what I see.
While I don't know Davis and never followed his career that closely, I also don't ever recall him in the news as a guy searching for coaching jobs. He stepped in to the Indiana job when Knight was fired, and he stayed there through 6 pressure-packed seasons till he finally announced his resignation during the season. But he wasn't out looking for other jobs. He stayed there through the season, and then moved on, landing at UAB. He stayed at UAB until they fired him, and then ended up at Texas Southern, where Vowels found him. He's no Larry Brown.
Vowels, remember, had to spend a long time coaxing Davis to take the UD job. Since he came here, I can't recall any comment he's made suggesting he's not committed to the program or considering any other position. Davis is a guy who exudes commitment. He constantly demands it of his players--sometimes in a manner which has caused some on this board and elsewhere to criticise him. He brought his sons here, one to coach, one to play. Both are good enough to have other options, but both are still here.
He has spoken of a long-term vision for UD. We know he didn't put AD on scholarship the first year, which cost him direct dollars. I have heard from those who should know that he has made a substantial six-figure pledge to the Road to a Championship program.
Coach will be 61 when the 2021-22 season opens. My guess he sees this as his last job. My hope is that he leads the Titans back to some degree of prominence, and then turns things over to his son. Maybe those with actual knowledge know differently, but I think random speculation, without knowledge, that Davis plans or wants to leave is both counterproductive and really unfair to Coach.
I think we're lucky to have him. I see progress, and we need to show both some patience and some confidence.