Keno Davis accepted the head coaching position at Providence College. He did the right thing. Whether it truly isn’t for the money, as both he and Sandy Hatfield-Clubb have said, or not, he did the right thing.

There is no way Drake is going to pay and athletic coach $1 million per year. The money is there I am sure, the alumni have deep pockets, but the academic side is not going to go along with a huge athletic contract.

Bob Ryan on Keno’s departure:

Quotes from Keno:

“When I said Providence is interested, he said, ‘You’ve got to go. You’ve got to go and take a look, at least. It’s great basketball. They’re going to know their basketball up there,” said Keno Davis.

“Drake did everything that I could’ve asked of them and more. If it was about money, I’d have probably gone back. Not that they were offering more money but they were doing everything they could,” he said. “It was about what Providence is and that they aren’t. It was about the Big East, and it’s my roots and an opportunity.”

Fan reaction to Keno’s hiring on the Providence Journal:

“GREAT BLOODLINES, NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR. JIM WHO?”

“Davis is a better choice than either Larranaga or Travis Ford. I trust that he’ll build a program and stay around long enough to sustain that program.”

“Mass, guy… local to the area… Travis Ford would have left quickly and Larranaga coaches in a real weak conference and was too old.”

“ONE year coaching? Sure he got to the NCAAs, but blew the game, once they played. No track record. It’s like hiring an assistant coach.”

“I’m not sure really. He has only 1 year of coaching experience and has been a mid-western based coach. I hope he has recuiting contacts on the East Coast. I kind of liked [Karl] Hobbs who is based in DC and from NE.”

“When he finds out how hard (or should I say impossible) it is to win here then he will leave like the others.”

“PC is set to hire ” a young, second-generation coach with limited head-coaching experience, but a winning record during his tenure at a mid-major”….is it 1998 and is his name Tim Welsh?”

“AP coach of the year, not 10 years ago but this year, took his team to the NCAAs for the first time since the 70’s in his first year as coach. Are you kidding me? PC is lucky to have Keno. Great job Bob! Send me my season ticket renewal package I’m ready to sign up.”

“I’m happy, 2008 coach of the year, gives choice some credibility. Are they overpaying him, yes. Will I answer my phone when the PC students soliciting money call again, Not unless he wins.”