Central Michigan Athletics has announced that men’s basketball coach Keno Davis has been signed to a new five-year contract.
“Keno Davis has done a fantastic job over the past three years building our program the right way,” Athletics Director Dave Heeke said. “Coach Davis and his staff have invested in a process of hard work and patience that is producing success with high quality student athletes on the court, in the classroom and in the community–the essence of our Championship Culture that defines Chippewa Athletics.
“This new contract is competitive while at the same time responsible and includes elements that provide stability for both Coach Davis and the athletic department. The agreement also reinforces the commitment Keno has shown to CMU and this community since his arrival.”
The new contract will run through the 2019-20 season. Davis’ base salary is $300,000, with another $100,000 for radio, television and personal appearances.
“I am very proud of the hard work and dedication of our staff, administration and student-athletes over the past three seasons and am excited about the bright future of the Central Michigan basketball program,” said Davis. “We will continue to build upon our success on and off the court while representing the University, alumni and the community in a positive manner.”
Davis engineered one of college basketball’s biggest turnarounds in 2014-15. After being selected to finish 11th in the preseason media poll, the Chippewas finished with a 23-9 record and captured their first Mid-American Conference regular season championship in 12 years.
Davis was the architect of one of the nation’s most prolific offenses last season. CMU ranked 12th in the NCAA in scoring (78.3 points per game), third in 3-point field goals per game (10.1) and eighth in 3-pointers made, totaling a MAC record 322.
Chris Fowler (first team), John Simons (third team) and Josh Kozinski (all-freshman) earned All-MAC honors, helping CMU reach the championship game of the MAC Tournament and secure a bid to the NIT, the program’s first postseason appearance since 2003.
After the season, Davis received MAC and NABC District Coach of the Year honors. Last weekend at the Final Four in Indianapolis, he was named the 2015 winner of the Skip Prosser Award, which is presented annually to a coach who achieves success on the basketball court and also displays moral integrity off of it.
“Keno has provided strong vision and leadership which has produced a program Chippewa fans everywhere can be deeply proud of,” Heeke said. “The future of our men’s basketball program is incredibly bright.”
http://www.cmuchippewas.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/040915aaa.html
Photo courtesy of CMU athletics
