 Tom Davis fields questions from the media after announcing his retirement from Drake. |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 15, 2008
CONTACT: Mike Mahon, 515-271-3014, mike.mahon@drake.edu
Tom Davis announced his retirement as special assistant to the
athletic director at Drake University today (Thursday, May 15).
Davis had served in this position since retiring as head basketball
coach at Drake in April 2007. He was head basketball coach for four years.
“I can’t begin to tell you how much fun the last five years have
been and to see where the program is today, relative to five years ago, brings
a smile to my face,” said Davis. “I know a lot of people told me it
couldn’t be done, but many people at Drake worked hard to prove them wrong.
“It was a great experience and I wish Drake the best in the
future.”
“Tom Davis laid the foundation for a winning legacy at Drake and we
are eternally grateful for his belief in and vision for Drake men’s
basketball,” said Drake Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield Clubb.
“Drake athletics has been forever touched by his guiding hand and
keen insight. He has touched the lives of not only the players he so diligently
coached, but also the Drake community and the entire state of Iowa. We are
sorry to see him leave.”
“I’m immensely grateful to Tom Davis for the role he has played at
Drake over the past five years,” said Drake President David Maxwell.
“Beyond his obvious accomplishments in rejuvenating the men’s basketball
program and laying the foundation for the program’s exciting future, Dr. Davis
has been a valued source of wise counsel, a loyal friend, and a passionate
spokesperson for the core values of the University.
“He will always be a cherished member of the Drake family, and we
look forward to staying connected with him as he enjoys his retirement.”
During a 32-year coaching career, Davis cemented his place among college
basketball coaching giants by accumulating 598 victories while enjoying 16,
20-game victory seasons with 11 teams advancing to the NCAA Tournament. He was
named the Associated Press National Coach of the year in 1987.
He was named Drake University’s 23rd head basketball coach on April 22,
2003. In four short seasons, Davis energized the Bulldog program and led Drake
to a 17-15 record; including winning the Big Four Series, Drake Regency
Challenge and Sun Bowl Tournament. It marked the first winning record at the
school in 20 years.
After Davis announced his retirement from college coaching, his son,
Keno, took over as head basketball coach at Drake. Keno Davis guided the team
to a school-record 28-5 mark this past season, including an appearance in the
NCAA Tournament.
Tom Davis earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of
Wisconsin-Platteville, master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
and doctorate from the University of Maryland. He was the head coach at
Lafayette College, Boston College, Stanford University, the University of Iowa
and Drake University.
While at Iowa, he led the Hawkeyes to nine NCAA Tournaments, including a
pair of Sweet Sixteen appearances as well as an Elite Eight. He is the winningest
coach in the University of Iowa history, posting a 269-140 record in 13 years
(1987-99), while leading teams to nine appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
He was named the 1986-87 Associated Press National Coach of the Year
after guiding Iowa to a 30-5 mark. He led Lafayette to a 116-44 record from
1971-77 and resurrected the Boston College program, producing a 100-47-mark
from 1977-82. He also was head coach at Stanford from 1982-86.