Middle Tennessee Head men’s basketball coach Kermit Davis has agreed to an eight year contract extension worth $565,000 per year that will run through the 2023-24 season, Director of Athletics Chris Massaro announced on Monday.
Davis has a base package of $465,000 and an additional $100,000 for radio and television.
“One of the keys to our basketball program’s success has been stability,” said Massaro. “This is not a one year or one game evaluation. Over the last five years we have two NCAA Tournament appearances, won 77 percent of our conference games to completely dominate two different leagues and we have more wins during that time than any other team in the state. I believe setting a long-term contract with Coach Davis gives us the best chance to repeat that success and build upon it. It’s just a great fit for everyone because Kermit and his family truly love MTSU and the community.
“I also want to thank a number of our donors who stepped up to contribute to the salary increase. They realize the progression of our program and were more than willing to step up and help. I really appreciate their support along with Learfield, who played a role in making this happen as well.”
Davis expressed gratitude and commitment to the administration and university upon being offered the opportunity to lead the Blue Raiders for eight more seasons.
“Accepting this extension no doubt shows the commitment that our family has towards Middle Tennessee State University and Murfreesboro,” Davis said.
Davis took the helm of the Middle Tennessee basketball program in 2002 and has enjoyed a school-record 276 wins across his 14-year stint while also picking up his 400th career win during the 2015-16 season.
“When I reflect back to 14 years ago, walking into the Murphy Center which was an older building with different colored seats and gloomy hallways, I just saw the chance for growth,” Davis added. “It’s great for us to have seen the culture grow.
“There is still so much work ahead of us but I think there are a lot of good times ahead as well. It’s a very proud feeling.”
Over the past five campaigns, the Raiders have tallied 123 total wins under the direction of Davis, the most of any Division I school in the state of Tennessee. The Blue Raiders have excelled at protecting their home court as well, going 67-11 in the Murphy Center over the same span.
Davis has led the Blue Raiders to five conference titles across the last seven seasons, including the 2016 Conference USA Tournament championship.
His most recent title led Middle to its second NCAA Tournament berth in four years where they upended No. 2 Michigan State, 90-81, in the first round.
With the historic win in the 2016 NCAA Tournament, MT made an exclusive list of just seven programs to win an NCAA Tournament game and boast an NCAA Graduation Rate of 100 percent.
Since the 2012-13 season Davis has racked up a 68-20 record in conference play which ranks as the best winning percentage (.773) over that time period of any current Conference USA member.
Many Blue Raiders have experienced great individual success under the development of Davis as well, including 2012 Sun Belt Player of the Year LaRon Dendy, 2014 C-USA Player of the Year Shawn Jones and 2016 C-USA Preseason Player of the Year candidate Reggie Upshaw.
“We’ve gone to two NCAA Tournaments and one NIT in the last five years and won five conference titles in the last seven years,” Davis stated. “Our team has now shown its worth in a deeper, better basketball league in Conference USA and we love where our schedule is being in the top 30 or 35.
“Now we’ve got to live in the moment and recreate our momentum every day and I sure hope our expectations are high. I know one thing, our team is going to go to work.”
http://goblueraiders.com/news/2016/7/10/mens-basketball-davis-mt-agree-to-eight-year-extension.aspx
