Keno Davis to Providence

[DUBulldog]

Could happen as early as today.

[MacabreMob]

Say it isn't so.

That would mean we will have to have a new thread on MVC Projected Standings for next year.

[Da Coach]

Thanks for the info, DUBulldog. It looks like it will happen--

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/04/15/news/breaking_news/doc48048720f0ac4594536216.txt

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080415/SPORTS020403/80414057/-1/LIFE04

http://www.projo.com/pc/content/sp_bkc_pc15_04-15-08_H99PBM1_v25.38f9569.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/weiss/2008/04/providence-zeroes-in-on-new-co.html

[bu fan 9]

I don't think this is a good move for Keno.

[BU ICEMAN]

Wow, this might give a whole new credence to the term "One Year Wonder"

I can understand Keno wanting to move on and I can understand wanting to get paid, but it seems like a real dick move for him to bail so quick considering his old man rigged his whole gig to be gift-wrapped for him.

[PTownHawkeye]

That's really disappointing. With such a magical year at Drake, I can surely understand the desire to move on to bigger and better things, but I really hoped he'd end up at a school in the Midwest where he has more credibility and his name would carry further with recruits. Providence is a program that has fallen on the hardest of times under Tim Welsch. This could be a multi-year rebuilding process for Providence, and with the number of big schools knocking on the doors of the same recruits, Providence usually doesn't get the nod.

However I visited Providence last summer for the first time and I must say that it is a wonderful part of the country. Great summer weather, close proximity to multiple bodies of water, and close to several big cities. Could be a great move for his family. Best of luck Keno!

[Da Coach]

If Keno has any aspirations of being a perennial winner or contending for a national championship some day, he knows that won't happen at Drake. I think this is a great move for him. He will get a massive raise, and still have some job security, and he'll be playing in the top conference in the country.

Also, he was raised in Massachusetts. He is not a midwesterner. From my experience knowing many east coast people in my life, whenever they get a chance to return to the east, they usually take it. I am sure most of you know easterners, and they pretty much look at the midwest as a step down from the east (that's putting it mildly).

If this happens, who will Drake hire for their next coach? I don't see that the assistants that are there look as attractive for a head coaching position as Keno did.

http://www.godrakebulldogs.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15700&KEY=&SPID=8121&SPSID=71127

[Braves4Life]

Wow, this might give a whole new credence to the term "One Year Wonder"

I can understand Keno wanting to move on and I can understand wanting to get paid, but it seems like a real dick move for him to bail so quick considering his old man rigged his whole gig to be gift-wrapped for him.

I've got to agree with everything you say Ice. However, this was a no-brainer financially and credibility wise for Keno. I knew it was coming if someone came knocking at his door................He had to do it as he had nowhere to go but down at Drake. And, if he fails, he can always go back to another mid-major based on his one-year success, name recognition, and dad's connections. But I do agree, he's giving Drake the shaft.

[tornado]

I don't think this is a good move for Keno.

So a chance to move to a Big East school, go back to your childhood home, coach in the real BIG TIME with far, far more national TV coverage and recruiting prowess, and (last but not least) earn well over a million dollars a year, 3-4 times your present salary, that's a bad career move?
Keno is hot and you strike while the iron is hot...he could have a horrible year next season and he'd really regret saying no!

[jeffsu]

It's like saying POB should have stayed at Bradley. Sure, it would have been sweet to have him for two more years (for us) but he managed to get drafted into the "Big League" (Keno's version of that would be the Big East), and get paid good money. Did it leave us in the dust? I don't think any of us really think that.

He's doing what he's got to do. As T said -- he's "striking while the iron is hot." Every single one of you would likely have made the same choice. If you're sane.

They pretty much hit the high point of MVC with Keno -- now he can start from the bottom (of the next level) with Providence.

Congrats Keno!

[bu fan 9]

I think he could get a better job at a better program if he wanted to leave.I just think that this is a death job.

[BU ICEMAN]

I've got to agree with everything you say Ice. However, this was a no-brainer financially and credibility wise for Keno. I knew it was coming if someone came knocking at his door................He had to do it as he had nowhere to go but down at Drake. And, if he fails, he can always go back to another mid-major based on his one-year success, name recognition, and dad's connections. But I do agree, he's giving Drake the shaft.

As they say (whoever "they" might be): Strike while the iron's hot.

I think the credibility issue though, is definitely risky. If he "succeeds" at Providence, it'll be enhanced, but I think that if he doesn't, he might've burned (or at the minimum singed) more than just just his Drake bridge because the mids might not trust him to stick around if he succeeds (or gets lucky?) again.

After reading my last paragraph, I'm not sure that I think that it's as bad as I made it sound or that it will be the prevailing opinion, but it might become an issue down the road?

[DUBulldog]

Also, he was raised in Massachusetts. He is not a midwesterner.

He lived in Massachussets from the ages of 5-10.....I would hardly say he was raised there. He spent his high school and college years in Iowa.

I can understand him wanting to take the money while he can. Can't argue with that. But, Providence is a tough place to win, and he still hasn't proven he can recruit. It could be a dead-end job for him.

If he would stay at Drake (less $$$ for sure) for a few more years, and he had anywhere near the success of this season, he could land a much higher profile job than Providence then.

If I was him, I'd take the money and run, but it won't necessarily be the best long-term decision.

[shaunguth]

I have a feeling we'll be having this same conversation a year from now about the coach down the street from us. I don't blame them for taking the opportunity while it's there. Just like I don't blame the kids for making the money grab and leaving early or skipping college entirely.

[tornado]

But, Providence is a tough place to win, and he still hasn't proven he can recruit. It could be a dead-end job for him....

but you could have said the same thing about Drake, UMass a few years ago, Washington State a couple years ago, or Gonzaga a decade ago.
If the money is right, most coaches dream their entire lives of moving UP the "ladder".
If he has the shot, how could Keno ever be sure he'd be in the same position next year? Sometimes a chance like this comes only once.
Even When Dan Monson failed at Minnesota, he still made millions, then got another D-I job right away when he was fired!